For over 350 years, no First Nations member had received the Freedom of the City Award from the City of London, England.
But that changed earlier this month when Chief Derek Epp of the Tzeachten First Nation, Chief David Jimmie of the Squiala First Nation and Chief Donald Maracle of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte travelled across the pond to receive the honour.
害羞草研究所淚t was a really cool opportunity,害羞草研究所� said Epp. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 like actually a big deal害羞草研究所 didn害羞草研究所檛 realize how big a deal it was.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淚n hindsight, I totally should害羞草研究所檝e flown my mom over.害羞草研究所�
Chief Epp is a familiar name in and around the city of Chilliwack, serving as Tzeachten Chief for the past eight years. During this time he has worked with various international organizations that support First Nations economic development.
Some of the projects he害羞草研究所檚 been involved in include the Enbridge expansion and Trans Mountain.
Following the U.K.害羞草研究所檚 withdrawal from the European Union (Brexit) Britain has been trying to build direct international relations with Canada, and more specifically Canadian First Nations, investing in various sectors like green energy or resource extraction projects.
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This is where Epp, Jimmie and other First Nations communities become involved.
The implementation of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is causing the federal and provincial governments to send communications directly to First Nations communities.
害羞草研究所淏asically, the government is deferring to First Nations when projects are proposed in our territory because they害羞草研究所檙e scared to get sued.害羞草研究所�
Epp is among a select few leaders who have been making regular trips to the U.K. over the last few years to build relationships and 害羞草研究所渃reate comfort for investors害羞草研究所�.
害羞草研究所淲e talk about what害羞草研究所檚 worked and what hasn害羞草研究所檛 and what are some of the solutions that individuals like myself are working on to help create comfort for First Nations to invest and be a part of these projects,害羞草研究所� said Epp.
Epp went on to explain that their direct relations have been with the financial district in the City of London, a sector overseen by a group of elected businessmen known as aldermen. This group elects a leader who is referred to as the Lord Mayor.
Elected Lord Mayors campaign around a central theme, being something that they hope to accomplish while in their leadership role.
害羞草研究所淭his Lord Mayor害羞草研究所檚 theme was 害羞草研究所榗onnect to prosper害羞草研究所� with a focus on connecting with First Nations in Canada,害羞草研究所� explained Epp.
Lord Mayor Professor Michael Mainelli looked into some of the work Epp and his colleagues had done in the past, and was thoroughly impressed, reaching out and stating his intention to award the gentlemen with the Freedom of the City of London.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 basically like a key to the city,害羞草研究所� said Epp.
With the award, Epp, Jimmie and Maracle were honoured by becoming official citizens of the City of London. Should they ever choose to, they could participate in politics too.
Being that the award is almost 800 years old, there are also some very interesting aspects accompanying the practical ones.
害羞草研究所淚 can herd sheep across the (London) bridge in September if I wanted to,害羞草研究所� laughed Epp.
The presentation had some high-up officials in attendance. Even some distant members of the Royal Family were on hand.
For Jimmie, the award induced some mixed emotions.
Jimmie害羞草研究所檚 mother was born in Chesterfield, England where he was able to see her side of the family while visiting in March following the passing of his grandmother.
害羞草研究所淚 can appreciate tradition and history so to be a part of a ceremony that started in 1237 is something special,害羞草研究所� said Jimmie. 害羞草研究所淗earing the names of some of the recipients that signed the Freeman害羞草研究所檚 Declaration Book was nothing short of amazing.害羞草研究所�
But Jimmie admitted having been raised in a First Nations family, reviewing a declaration referencing the King and the monarchy was difficult.
害羞草研究所淎s First Nations people, we have lived through colonialism so as you can imagine I was torn between the heritage of my mother害羞草研究所檚 side and that of my father害羞草研究所檚 side,害羞草研究所� admitted Jimmie. 害羞草研究所淯ltimately, it was a tremendous honor to be a part of such a ceremony that dates back to the 1200s.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淚 couldn害羞草研究所檛 be more honored and I know my grandmother would have been extremely proud.害羞草研究所�
Following the presentation, the men were given an extensive tour of Buckingham Palace, where they got to enjoy some conversation with the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
害羞草研究所淪o I guess it害羞草研究所檚 tradition but they sent us home with this hand-scribed sheepskin plaque,害羞草研究所� said Epp. 害羞草研究所淚 mean, yeah, it was pretty surreal to be honest.害羞草研究所�
Following their visit, the men felt compelled to leave a part of their own history. The two Chiefs offered up their cedar headbands as historical artifacts for the City of London.
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