Treaties mean we each respect each others laws, but in Canada after Treaties were signed, ceremony, culture and gatherings were outlawed. Outlawing Indigenous culture is outlawing Indigenous law, natural law.

Canada broke the Treaties, broke the law.

Here's a timeline:

In 1876 the Indian Act in Canada was passed, shortly after (1884) there was a ban on ceremonies.

In 1885 the pass system was enforced, meaning that you could not leave the reserve without permission of the Indian agent. Sale of ammunition was also banned to FNs.

1889, involuntary enfranchisement - if you married a white man or joined the army, you lost "status".

1894, parents were fined or jailed if they didn't send their kids to residential schools.

1895, hereditary leadership prohibited. "Band and council" system implemented.

1905, towns with more than 8000 people were given the power to remove first nations from reserve lands that were closeby (eg: Papaschase).

1911, Power granted to take portions of a reserve for roads, railways, etc, or move the reserve entirely if it was "deemed resourceful".

1914, Laws passed to prohibit wearing "costume" in public.

1918, leases to uncultivated reserve lands granted to white folk to farm.

1927, First nations denied the right to legal counsel, without losing Treaty rights. This would give "Canada" unfettered access to land title.

1951, Indian Act revised to allow FNs to leave reserves (though many weren't told), Treaty cards replaced with "Status" cards.

1951-70s, Sixties Scoop: thousands of Indigenous children apprehended by "child welfare" and placed in white homes.

1985, Indian Act revised (after Lavelle court decision) to reinstate status for some.

All through this time, residential schools are operating in Canada where thousands and thousands of kids were beaten for trying to speak their language, many were abused and murdered.

When you speak of natural law, spirit comes first. If it has a spirit, then it has laws, and we must respect that. For over a century Indigenous culture was illegal in this country. "Reconciliation" isn't going to happen by just throwing some money at it.

This country is built on deception and lies. The spirit of the English language is deception and lies. What we really need are strength, honesty, kindness, and sharing. And not as metaphors - natural law isn't some mystery to unravel, it's exactly those things.

Strength, honesty, kindness, sharing. These come first, otherwise all we have are deception and lies. If you need inspiration and courage, look to those who are still upholding the spirit of the Treaties, they are like role models for us all.

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