Alexander Denny facts for kids

Alexander Denny (July 26, 1940 – 2004) was a very important Mi'kmaq leader. He was also known as Kji-keptin, which means Grand Captain. Denny was a founding member and president of the UNSI (Union of Nova Scotia Indians) for two terms. He was best known for his work in getting Mi'kmaq treaties and Aboriginal rights recognized.

Denny was born into the Eskasoni First Nation. He was raised by two elders in his community. From a young age, he learned how important Mi'kmaq treaties were. His strong passion and knowledge helped the Mi'kmaq Nation gain linguistic (language) and political rights around the world. Alexander Denny and the UNSI also organized the very first Treaty Day.

Early Life

Denny spent his early years in the Eskasoni Nation, where he was born. He learned a lot about Mi'kmaq treaties and traditions from his father, Andrew. His father was an Elder in the community. Andrew and his wife, Mary Anne Denny, raised Alexander.

Education

Denny went to school in Eskasoni until he was 14 years old. After that, he went to a boarding school in Chatham, New Brunswick. Later, he moved to Prince Edward Island (PEI). There, he attended St. Dunstan’s High School. Denny eventually went on to study business at university.

Political Involvement

Union of Nova Scotia Indians

In 1969, Alexander Denny helped create the UNSI. He worked with Joe B. Marshall, Noel Doucette, Greg Johnson, and Stan Johnson. They formed the UNSI because of a government plan called the 1969 White Paper. This plan wanted to make Indigenous peoples and other Canadians equal. It suggested getting rid of the Indian Act and treaties. It also wanted to move responsibility for Indigenous peoples from the federal government to the provinces.

This plan was very different from what the Mi'kmaq wanted. They were fighting to have their treaties and Aboriginal rights recognized. The UNSI was formed to stand up for these rights.

Mi'kmaq Society v. Canada

In 1980, Denny started talking with the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations. He spoke about Canada's continued ignoring of Mi'kmaq treaties and Aboriginal rights. He wrote a famous letter that said: "Canada has and continues to deny our right to self-determination." He also wrote that Canada kept taking their land and stopping them from living their traditional way. Sadly, his message was not accepted due to a small technical rule.

Treaty Day

Treaty Day was first held on October 1, 1986. Alexander Denny and others from the UNSI organized it. This day was created after a court case called Simon v. The Queen in 1985. This court case confirmed that the 1752 Mi'kmaq peace and friendship treaty was valid.

While Denny didn't personally win all the linguistic and political rights for the Mi'kmaq Nation, the court's decision was very important. It showed that the many years of research he and the UNSI had done about these topics were correct and valuable.