Key Takeaways
- Joe Miskokomon was appointed to the Order of Canada in March for his lifelong service to Indigenous communities and the nation.
- As a young leader he helped secure Section 35 of the Constitution, which recognizes and affirms Aboriginal and treaty rights.
- He stresses the importance of knowing and teaching First Nations history as a foundation for self‑governance and public service.
- While Canada has moved from dismissing treaties to embracing reconciliation and free, prior and informed consent, vigilance remains essential.
- Miskokomon hopes the honour will inspire younger Indigenous people to value education, cultural pride, and committed community work.
Early Life and Motivations
Joe Miskokomon grew up on the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, where he absorbed the teachings of honour, respect, and dignity from his elders. After completing his education, he took a teaching position at Saunders Secondary School in London, Ontario, where he pioneered the first accredited Native Studies course at the secondary level in Canada. Through that course he sought to correct historical misconceptions, highlight the true contributions of First Nations peoples, and instill pride in Indigenous youth. This early commitment to education laid the groundwork for his later advocacy work, showing him that knowledge and cultural awareness are powerful tools for change.
Journey to Constitutional Advocacy
In his late twenties, Miskokomon was approached by senior First Nation chiefs from across Canada to travel to London, England, and lobby during the patriation of the Canadian Constitution. At age 28 he joined a nationwide delegation tasked with ensuring that Aboriginal and treaty rights would be entrenched in the new constitutional framework. Over the next four years, working alongside countless activists, lawyers, and elders, he helped shape the language that would become Section 35. By the time the Constitution was fully repatriated, he was 32, having devoted a crucial period of his life to securing a legal foundation for Indigenous rights.
Understanding the Stakes
Miskokomon was fully aware of the precariousness of the constitutional negotiations. He recalls that the seven provinces representing half of Canada’s population could have, at any moment, rejected the entire accord, amended the Constitution, and withdrawn Section 35. The threat was real: without provincial consent, the hard‑won recognition of treaty and Aboriginal rights could have vanished. This awareness fueled his determination to keep the dialogue alive, to build broad coalitions, and to persist despite the uncertainty that loomed over the process.
Achieving Section 35
Through sustained pressure and nationwide cooperation, the delegates succeeded; Section 35 was enshrined in the Constitution Act, 1982, recognizing and affirming existing Aboriginal and treaty rights for all Indigenous peoples in Canada. Miskokomon views this achievement as a turning point—not only did it provide a legal shield against unilateral abrogation, but it also affirmed the nation‑to‑nation relationship that First Nations had long sought. The inclusion of Sections 25 and 35 has since served as a reference point for court decisions, policy development, and ongoing negotiations concerning land, resources, and self‑governance.
Shifting Political Landscape
Reflecting on the evolution since the 1980s, Miskokomon notes a dramatic shift: where treaties and Aboriginal rights were once dismissed by First Ministers, politicians, and even scholars, today the discourse centres on reconciliation, free, prior and informed consent (FPIC), and partnership. He credits this change to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission led by Murray Sinclair, the steadfast stance of Elijah Harper during the Charlottetown Accord, and the countless individuals who sacrificed for Indigenous justice. These movements have fostered a broader societal appreciation of Indigenous perspectives and the necessity of consent before major projects proceed on traditional territories.
Current Challenges and Opportunities
Miskokomon points to upcoming developments that test the promise of reconciliation, notably the proposed First Ministers’ conference in October announced by Prime Minister Carney and contentious initiatives such as the Ring of Fire mining project and energy transmission lines crossing treaty lands. He argues that the true measure of progress will be whether governments honour the duty to consult and obtain FPIC from affected First Nations. The ongoing dialogue, he believes, offers an opportunity to refine nation‑to‑nation relations, ensure sustainable development, and uphold the constitutional guarantees he fought to secure.
Impact of the Order of Canada
Receiving the Order of Canada came as a surprise to Miskokomon, who never anticipated such national recognition. He describes the honour as humbling and a validation of a lifetime spent in service to his community and the broader Canadian public. The award, he says, reflects not only his personal efforts but also the collective work of countless Indigenous leaders, educators, and activists who have advanced the cause of rights and reconciliation. It reinforces his belief that dedication to public service—rooted in cultural values—is both worthwhile and noticed by society.
Message to Indigenous Youth
To young people in Chippewas of the Thames and beyond, Miskokomon offers a simple yet powerful exhortation: become students of your own history. Knowing the struggles, triumphs, and teachings of previous generations equips youth to navigate contemporary challenges with confidence and purpose. He urges them to embrace the values of honour, respect, and dignity that guided his own path, to pursue education that honors Indigenous knowledge, and to view public service as a noble vocation. By doing so, they will not only honour those who came before them but also help shape a future where First Nations rights are fully realized and celebrated within Canada.
