
November 22, 2023
Dear Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and Ottawa City Council Members,
CC: Ottawa Police Services Chief Eric Stubbs
Aniin. I am writing to update you about some details regarding my April 20th 2023 letter on behalf of Mr. Anthony Tenasco, an Anishinaabe Algonquin from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg. As you are aware, Mr. Tenasco opened a medicinal cannabis trading post on the unceded traditional lands of his people at 196 Beechwood Ave., Vanier, Ottawa earlier this year.
I am pleased to inform you that Mr. Tenasco has been overjoyed at the support for his business that he has received from the people of Ottawa. Faced with increased demand for his services, he is expanding his business to a second location at 1990 Russell Road, Ottawa. His stores now operate under the name Red Roots Trading co. and continue to provide high-quality, lab-tested Indigenous cannabis medicines in accordance with his constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights.
Mr. Tenasco would like to extend an invitation to any members of your council that would like to learn more about his business and the inherent economic rights of the Anishinaabe Algonquin people to come and visit him at their convenience. Mr. Tenasco can be reached at (343) 597-5240.
As a result of the success of Mr. Tenasco’s business, he has been giving back to the Indigenous community by donating 300 pumpkins to families in Kitigan Zibi for Halloween, providing free winter coats to children in need in Kitigan Zibi, supporting the efforts to recover the bodies of the missing and murdered Indigenous women in the Winnipeg landfill, and by sponsoring Indigenous cultural activities in the city. He is also willing to partner and work with the city in regards to any Indigenous awareness activities that you may have planned.
Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the Aboriginal and treaty rights of Mr. Tenasco on unceded Anishinaabe Algonquin lands, I continue to be able and willing to meet with you to provide you with my expert perspective on the matter.
In the spirit of peace and friendship,
Chief Del Riley, Crane Clan Chippewa Nation