Gary Potts facts for kids

Gary Potts (born December 1, 1944 – died June 3, 2020) was an important leader of the Temagami First Nation and the Teme-Augama Anishnabai people in Temagami, Ontario, Canada. He worked hard to protect his people's traditional lands and way of life.

Protecting Their Homeland

Gary Potts became a chief in August 1973. At this time, a big effort began to protect the land of the Temagami people. This effort was called the Temagami Land Caution. It involved filing official claims to stop new buildings or projects on land that the government called "Crown land." This land was traditionally used by the Temagami people.

Standing Up for Their Land

Gary Potts was a key leader during the Red Squirrel Road blockades in 1988 and 1989. These blockades were peaceful protests. The Temagami people set them up to stop logging and road building in their traditional territory. They wanted to protect their forests and lakes, which they call their Homeland.

The Fight for Land Rights

In 1991, Gary Potts was still chief when the Supreme Court of Canada made an important decision. The court looked at the 1850 Robinson Treaty. The court said that the Teme-Augama Anishnabai people had given up their rights to the land through this treaty. However, the Temagami people said they never signed or agreed to this treaty.

Government Promises

Even though the court's decision was difficult, the Supreme Court of Canada also said something important. It found that the Canadian government, also known as The Crown, had not always kept its promises to the Temagami people. This meant the government had not always acted fairly towards them regarding their land.

Later Years

Gary Potts served as chief again for a few months in 2009. He continued to be a respected figure in his community. He passed away on June 3, 2020. His work helped bring attention to the rights and history of Indigenous peoples in Canada.