Chief Riley letter to Tim Cowley - OTTAWA MEANS 'TO TRADE'

September 27, 2024

TO: Constable Tim Cowley <cowleyt@ottawapolice.ca>

CC: Ottawa Police Services Chief Eric Stubbs, Mayor of Ottawa <Mark.Sutcliffe@ottawa.ca>, Police Chief Eric Stubbs <eric.stubbs@ottawa.ca>, Ottawa Police <info@ottawapolice.ca>, Executive Director of the Ottawa Police Services Krista Ferraro <krista.ferraro@ottawa.ca>, Ottawa Police Services Board Assistant Randa Ben Guedria <randa.benguedria@ottawa.ca>

Dear Ottawa Police Services Constable Tim Cowley,

Aniin. I understand that you had a productive conversation with my assistant Tom Keefer on September 25th, 2024 concerning the operation of the Native Grasslands trading post located at Unit B, 2561 Baseline Rd., Ottawa. As Mr. Keefer informed you, I act as representative for Native Grasslands and a number of other sovereign Indigenous trading posts in the Ottawa area.

I have written a half dozen or so letters to the City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Police Service concerning the matter of the constitutionally protected rights of their Algonquin owners to operate such trading posts on their unceded lands. I would like to reiterate to you that as the former National Chief who negotiated the inclusion of Sections 25 and 35 in Canada’s Constitution Act, 1982 and as a hereditary Crane Clan Chief of the Chippewa Nation, I am willing to meet with representatives of the OPS and the City to engage in a discussion of our respective positions on this matter.

Canada, through a variety of mechanisms including the findings of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal People (1991-1996) Prime Minister Harper’s “Statement of apology to former students of Indian Residential Schools” (2008), the ‘Calls to action’ of the Truth and Reconciliation committee (2008-2015), and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (2019) has made its intentions known to address its past colonial abuses and to attempt a process of reconciliation with our people.

A substantial step forward in advancing this process of reconciliation came with the passing of Canada’s United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act which received Royal assent on June 21st, 2021. This law provides “a framework for reconciliation, healing and peace, as well as harmonious and cooperative relations based on the principles of justice, democracy, respect for human rights, non-discrimination and good faith” and adopts the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which “is affirmed as a source for the interpretation of Canadian law.” According to its text, the “Act is to be construed as upholding the rights of Indigenous peoples recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.”

Those rights, especially as outlined in Articles 3, 5, 20, and 23 of UNDRIP explicitly recognize and affirm the rights of Indigenous people to freely pursue their distinct economic interests and priorities. I note that the City of Ottawa’s policy on Indigenous relations recognizes that “Ottawa is built on un-ceded Anishinabe Algonquin territory” and that “The City of Ottawa honours the peoples and land of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation.” As you may know, the land Ottawa is built upon is currently the subject of an Aboriginal title claim by the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg that was filed in 2016 and recently renewed in December of 2022.

For your information, I have attached a copy of two letters that I sent to the City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Police Services. The first on behalf of Anthony Tenasco on April 20th, 2023 and the second on behalf of Tom Nicholson on April 22nd, 2024 concerning his store. Please also find attached the bylaws of the North Shore Anishinabek Cannabis Association (NSACA). The Indigenous owners of Red Roots Trading (Formerly Medicine Wheel Natural Healing), Native Grasslands, Native Smoke on the Water, and My Legacy, have all solemnly informed me that they uphold and meet or exceed the standards established by the NSACA to ensure public health and safety and to regulate the Indigenous cannabis industry.

I will be in Ottawa on October 2nd, 2024 to hand deliver some correspondence to the Mayor and to meet with some of the store owners in the City. Mr. Keefer informed me that you suggested that there was a possibility that you could meet with me, depending on whether or not you receive the approval of your superiors to do so. Should you be able to meet, I would welcome the opportunity to sit down and exchange perspectives. You may contact me at this email or by getting in touch with Mr. Keefer at 416-526-4255.

Should you wish to learn more about me and my expertise, I invite you to purchase a copy of my Autobiography The Last President at www.thelastpresident.ca or to search my name on YouTube where you can find numerous speeches and presentations.

In the spirit of peace and friendship,