Ojibway Elder Garry Sault to present historical teachings in Caledon

Sault visiting Southfields Village Branch of Caledon Public Library

By Zachary Roman

The historical teachings of Wampum and Paper Treaties will be discussed at an upcoming presentation in Town.

On February 25 at 1 p.m., Ojibway Elder Garry Sault will visit the Southfields Village Branch of the Caledon Public Library (CPL) for a presentation on treaties.

Sault is a member of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and his people signed over 20 pre-confederation treaties with the Crown, which cover most of the Golden Horseshoe.

People can register to attend Sault's presentation in person on the CPL's website. They can also register to attend it virtually on Zoom. Important to note is the presentation will not be recorded for future viewing.

Sault told the Citizen at his presentation you'll learn about history you won't find anyplace else.

“I did the research so that I would know what happened to my people in the past,” said Sault, noting there's a lack of understanding around treaties in general. 

Sault said Wampum Belts and what they represent are very important.

Sault has done presentations in many places before such as Burlington, Oakville, and Brampton. He said it's so critical for people to learn about treaties so they will know their responsibilities towards the people that first occupied the land they now live on.

“They made treaties with us. They made promises… as the years went by, they stopped doing the things that were set out in the treaties,” said Sault.

Sault's presentation is part of the CPL's Indigenous series, and the CPL thanks the Brampton and Caledon Community Foundation for its funding support of the series.