|  MESSAGE
FROM THE CHIEF
Roseau River Anishinabe Nation is a nation of indigenous
people with a distinct land base, population, culture, language
and practises. To begin to understand Roseau River, one must
understand how deeply the people feel about being sovereign,
the right as a nation of indigenous people to be independent
and free.
As Chief of Roseau River, it is my privilege to welcome you
to learn about our community. Our community website will give
you statistics and numbers, but to understand the dreams,
visions and hopes of the people of Roseau River one must know
a little of the history of the Anishinabe people.
The elders proudly taught the youth that prior to 1945, there
had never been a murder in our community, our doors were never
locked, and people did not steal from each other. This was
a community that shared, and cared about each other. We lived
under our own laws and enforced those laws ourselves. Our
people respected and valued our own way of doing things.
A period of drastic change took place where alcohol and the
imposition of other people’s laws and culture affected
our community to the point where despair and violence overtook
our people. Several generations lived under those oppressive
times. However, today we see some real hope and real opportunity
for this community. We have returned to our culture, values
and traditions. Fiercely independent, Roseau River is one
of the most politically astute indigenous communities in Canada.
Like many American Indian reservations, we see economic development
flowing from assertion of our rights as an indigenous people.
Although we currently have 77 per cent unemployment, we see
100 per cent employment possible within the next six to ten
years. Our economic plan encompasses the Winnipeg urban reserve
and other acquired Treaty Land Entitlement lands which will
provide opportunities in the gaming and trade sectors as well
as the offerings of certain tax exemptions.
We welcome you to learn more of Roseau River and we look
forward to working with people from similar-minded communities.
Mii-gwetch,
Chief Terrance Nelson
Mush-ko-dah-be-shik-eese
Lynx clan
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