Rare medal given at Treaty 2 signing passed on through Manitoba family for 150 years
A rare medal given to Treaty 2 signatories in 1871 has been passed down through seven generations of a Manitoba family to keep the history behind the artifact alive.
"The treaties were signed and then medals were given to nine signatories of Treaty 2 and many have been buried with past chiefs. I don't know where the rest are, but they are very, very hard to find," said Cindy Woodhouse, a regional chief for the Assembly of First Nations whose family the medal belongs to.
According to the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba, the medals were given as a gift from Queen Victoria to offer a lasting visual reminder to all the participants of their treaty commitments.
After almost 150 years in the family, the medal was passed on to Woodhouse's son Kyler.
"I think with my son Kyler, I think it will be the seventh generation from the treaty it will be passed down to," said Woodhouse. "My dad had it, and he got it from his dad the day after he passed away."
The medal depicts a scene of a settler and an Indigenous person shaking hands. Woodhouse says the one man is a First Nations leader like her great, great, great grandfather chief Richard Woodhouse was at the time.
"So I think that symbol is equal. There's no one higher than each other on the medal," said Woodhouse.
"It tells all of us now when we look back at our history that we were to be equal partners, equal partnerships, equal at everything, and our people knew that the world was changing and that we were a nation."
Woodhouse said along with the medal comes an important task.
"Treaties 1 and 2 were the start of building the west and coming to the west to live peacefully with the Indigenous people of this land," she said.
"Kyler has a big responsibility, but he always remembers the treaties. When society doesn't want to talk about it or doesn't want to have those historical talks on the way this country should have been, that's his responsibility."
Being a new leader herself, Woodhouse said ensuring the treaties are followed today is very important.
"I want to see the day where treaty implementation happens. I really believe treaties make this country, and we have to move forward equally."
Woodhouse noted ensuring the treaties are taught and followed today isn't always easy.
"Truth is really hard sometimes," she said, "I just think we have a lot of work to do in this country, and I really look forward to working with Manitobans and Canadians to come to that place where treaty implementation exists and we live peacefully together. This is what our ancestors wanted."
Though it's a lot of responsibility, having the medal is well worth it, according to Woodhouse.
"It feels so special to remember our ancestors on what they wanted for our people."
-With files from CTV's Kayla Rosen
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
B.C. man used Bobcat as 'weapon' while chasing away homeless people, judge says
A B.C. man has been convicted of assault with a weapon after using a skid-steer Bobcat to chase two homeless people from his lawn, injuring one of them in the process.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
'Nobody should be getting away with murder': Grieving mother speaks out after son killed in North Preston, N.S.
A grieving mother is speaking out after her 36-year-old son was shot and killed in North Preston, N.S., Wednesday night.
Toronto-area dessert shop featured by Keith Lee forced to move after zoning complaint
A small Ajax dessert shop that recently received a glowing review from celebrity food critic Keith Lee is being forced to move after a zoning complaint was made following the social media influencer’s visit last month.