President Thomas meets with Premier over a ceremonial ‘talking stick’

 
President Smokey Thomas, and Tim Brown, chair of the Aboriginal Circle, meet with Premier Dalton McGuinty and Minister Michael Bryant Feb. 5 at Queen's Park.
For a larger photo, click on the image.

February 6, 2008 OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas, and Tim Brown, chair of OPSEU’s Aboriginal Circle, met with Premier Dalton McGuinty and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Michael Bryant to welcome the opening of the new Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs. The meeting took place Feb. 5 at Queen’s Park.

OPSEU welcomed the opening of this, the first such ministry in Ontario’s history. The Premier and Thomas conversed over a ‘talking stick,’ a six-foot carved totem used by native councils to encourage dialogue. The stick was provided by the Curve Lake First Nation.

The talking stick has been used at many First Nation council meetings, passed between council members who wished to speak without interruption.

 

 

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Documents

The Reason the OPSEU Aboriginal Banner Looks as it Does .pdf

Homeland Security .pdf

Circle of Life .pdf

The wearing of one's personal regalia .pdf

The Medicine Bag .pdf

Why is this important .pdf

War Dance of our Children .pdf


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