Chief Jennifer Constant
Windspeaker.com: Mattagami First Nation chief Jennifer Constant was celebrated as one of the guests of honour at the inaugural Women In Mining Sudbury awards gala.
The event was held Nov. 21 in Sudbury, Ont.
Constant was recognized as an Indigenous Trailblazer during the event in honour of her years of service and advocating for her First Nation, located in northern Ontario, as related to the mining industry.
“I am very honoured to receive this recognition,” Constant said. “As an Indigenous woman I’ve worked for many years for my community and for my people. As Indigenous people, we have a strong connection to the land and we always need to be at the table in negotiations to share our input, to speak our truth and participate in serving our traditional role of protectors of the land.”
Constant explained one of the most important roles of First Nations is in their ability and responsibility to represent environmental and ecological protections and preservation and to honour the culture and traditions of their people.
“I grew up in a First Nation surrounded by all kinds of resource developments and mining exploration and initiatives with a history of operating on our lands with little or no inclusion of any representation from Indigenous people,” she said. “This award by the Women In Mining Sudbury is a recognition of all of the work of past chiefs and councils as well as Elders from Mattagami First Nation who fought to make sure our voices were heard.”
Constant comes from a long line of leaders who have always represented their people and the land to secure real benefits for Mattagami First Nation members while protecting the land. Her great grandfather Chief Andrew Luke was the signatory to Treaty #9 between her First Nation and the government of Canada in 1906.
Chief Luke was the first recognized Chief of Mattagami First Nation.
“After my great grandfather Chief Andrew Luke signed that treaty, he realized later that what was promised on signing the treaty and what actually happened as time moved on was not fulfilled,” Constant said. “As a result of his displeasure, he protested by refusing to take treaty annuity payments for himself as he felt that he had failed his community.”
Constant’s family has advocated and fought for the rights of the community for generations. Her mother Joyce Luke, served as chief, as did her uncle Gerald Luke and grandfather Alec Luke.
Constant also had additional praise for gala organizers who bestowed her with an award.
“I truly am honoured and humbled for the recognition of my many years of working with mining companies and industry while representing First Nations objectives, initiatives and overall advocacy for sustainable and socially responsible mining in our territory,” she said.
Constant also thanked Robin Roy for nominating her for the award as well as those who wrote support letters on behalf of her nomination.
Mattagami First Nation is part of the Wabun Tribal Council. The other First Nations included in the council are Beaverhouse, Brunswick House, Chapleau Ojibwe, Flying Post and Matachewan.
By Xavier Kataquapit
Windspeaker.com