The Royal Proclamation at 250

October 7th marks the 250th anniversary of the Royal Proclamation of 1763.  Some readers may recall the worries, expressed earlier this year, that the anniversary would go by unnoticed.  While the Canadian Government has not deigned to make any commemorative effort, other parties have thankfully stepped up to the plate.  Quite a few of them, actually.

Over at Active History, a splendid series of short essays introduced by Tom Peace looks at the Proclamation from various angles.  In Winnipeg the anniversary was marked by four days of lectures and activities organised by the University of Winnipeg, the University of Manitoba, and several other partners.  A related lecture was given at the University of Winnipeg.  A round-table was held in Boston.  The Union of Ontario Indians will be holding a ceremony and launching a publication.  Thomas Mulcair, leader of the Opposition, hosted a commemorative event with Aboriginal leaders at his residence on the eve of the anniversary.  The Land Claims Coalition is holding a day-long symposium on the subject at the Canadian Museum of Civilization.  The CMC will have a copy of the document on display for a month or so.  The Assembly of First Nations is hosting a morning press conference (and Shawn Atleo, its head, has been giving interviews on the subject). 

Actually, saying that Candian Government has not deigned to make any effort is not entirely fair, for  Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Canada is involved in a few of these events.  It was a partner of the events held in Winnipeg, for instance, and Minister Bernard Valcour minister will be attending the Land Claims Coalition symposium.  But its involvement appears to have been entirely reactive.

Oh, and by the way, Idle No More activists have planned a global day of action (#Oct7Proclaim).

P.-F.-X.