KI chief invites judge, former minister to dinner

The chief of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) has invited the judge and Ontario’s former Aboriginal Affairs minister involved in sentencing him to jail into his community in an effort to show that there are no hard feelings.
Chief Donny Morris has publicly invited Justice Patrick Smith and former Aboriginal Affairs minister Michael Bryant to KI and a feast when the community hosts 25 other Canadians from June 17-21.
Smith presided over the legal battle between KI and Platinex and sentenced Morris and five other community leaders to prison in 2008 after the First Nation would not allow the junior mining company onto its traditional territory. Meanwhile Bryant was the minister responsible for the government’s position during the dispute.
In a video posted on Youtube, which Morris recorded on May 6, the chief issued a personal invitation to Smith and Bryant.
“We would like to have the opportunity to sit down and let’s visit, reminisce of the old times, and to move on with our lives,” Morris said in the video.
He said the pair would be served a traditional meal, “which is our specialty.”
The invitation comes after a group of the community’s youth began an initiative to invite 25 people from across Canada onto the reserve for a week to experience life in the community.
The week would conclude on June 21, National Aboriginal Day.
Morris said he would like to see Smith and Bryant spend at least one night during that week.
“I would hope to see either one of you but it would probably (be more) beneficial for both of them to come to KI,” he said at the conclusion of the video. “I’ll see you guys then.”