A solemn commemoration at Fort Carlton

DUCK LAKE — Standing in the same place where it was signed, politicians, Crown representatives, Indigenous chiefs and elders marked the 150th anniversary of Treaty 6 on Sunday by saying they hoped the future would be nothing like the past.

"This treaty recognized a shared relationship with the land, the waters, and the living things," Gov. Gen. Louise Arbour told a crowd at Fort Carlton, about 100 kilometres north of Saskatoon.

"History, unfortunately, tells a very different story."

Treaty 6 was the sixth of 11 treaties signed in the years after Canada was established through Confederation. It covers most of what's now central Alberta and Saskatchewan, though the treaty is older than both provinces.

Like the treaties signed before and after it, Treaty 6, by all accounts, is an agreement towards coexistence and collaboration between First Nations and the Crown. But dignitaries and federal officials agreed on Sunday that the first 150 years were marred by broken promises and unrealized dreams, ranging from the historic medicine chest clause being unfulfilled to the pain and trauma of residential schools.

They also agreed that it was time to right historic wrongs and move forward together.

"The next 150 years must be more than about remembering treaty. They must be about implementing it," said Christine Longjohn, chief of Sturgeon Lake First Nation. "Our children should inherit healthy communities, strong nations, thriving languages, safe homes and a treaty relationship grounded in honour and respect."

Those on hand representing the Crown, including Arbour, Minister of Indigenous Services Mandy Gull-Masty, and Buckley Belanger, secretary of state for rural development, said they understood what was being asked of them and promised to deliver.

"More than ever, our collective well-being depends on the trust that we place in one another. Today marks our commitment to keeping that trust alive," Arbour said.

A treaty born of its time

Treaty 6 was first signed Aug. 23, 1876, at Fort Carlton, between the Crown and certain Plains and Wood Cree bands. Crown signatories included Alexander Morris, the lieutenant-governor of Manitoba and the Northwest Territories, and commissioners James McKay and W.J. Christie. The first signing featured nine chiefs, including Chief Mistawasis, Chief Ahtahkakoop and Chief James Smith, with three translators listed.

More First Nations joined the treaty a few days later at Fort Pitt, Sask. Additional adhesions continued, with the latest signed in 1954 and 1956 with the Salteaux First Nation near Cochin. Today, about 50 First Nations are part of Treaty 6, which covers almost 315,000 square kilometres.

The treaty included a pestilence or famine clause, committing the Crown to provide support during famine. It also included the medicine chest clause, which promised the Crown would keep a medicine chest in the home of each federal government agent on a reserve — widely understood as a commitment to health care, but criticized as unfulfilled. The Crown also promised to maintain schools on reserves.

Financial terms included $5 annually to every member and $1,500 annually in twine and ammunition, plus farming equipment, clothing and a $25 salary for chiefs. Bands were promised six cows, four oxen, two female pigs, one bull and one boar. The agricultural settlements were informally called "Cows and Plows."

The documents say First Nations who signed "ceded" any claim to certain portions of land. But Indigenous leaders have long said the agreements were more about sharing land than relinquishing title in exchange for promises and commitments from the Crown.

The Numbered Treaties — which include Treaty 6 — cover most of what is now Ontario, all of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, northeast British Columbia, most of the Northwest Territories and Yukon's southeast corner. They set the stage for widespread settlement by non-Indigenous people, while creating reserves for First Nations.

A weekend of celebration and reflection

The anniversary was marked with four days of events at Fort Carlton, including handgames, leadership forums, traditional dancing and feasts. Festivities also included pow wows in Edmonton and viewings of the original Treaty 6 parchment at Fort Carlton Provincial Historic Park. A commemorative monument was unveiled Sunday at the fort.

Expected speakers at the Fort Carlton event included Arbour and Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak.

In a statement ahead of the event, federal Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty said, "Events surrounding this major milestone provide a special opportunity to recognize the resilience and vibrancy of Treaty 6 Nations." Alty said Canada has historically not been a reliable treaty partner and that the federal government is committed to addressing harms and injustices.

"Despite real hardship and periods in our shared history when government policies sought to erase Indigenous cultures altogether, these communities have maintained their languages, teachings and traditional practices for generations," she said.

Tensions with Alberta

The signing anniversary comes as relationships between Indigenous chiefs and the Alberta government are under strain over the Oct. 19 referendum on whether the province should hold a separation vote. First Nations in Alberta have vehemently opposed the separatist movement and have fought in court efforts to hold a binding vote. Some chiefs have gone as far as to accuse the premier of treason. Premier Smith defended the referendum by saying Albertans deserve to have their voices heard.

Joey Pete, grand chief of the Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations, called out Smith's government for missing an Edmonton event marking the anniversary. Alberta Indigenous Relations Minister Rajan Sawhney's office said the minister was away but committed. Pete said if the relationship doesn't improve, the only path forward would be with the federal government, from which he expects more.

On the Saskatchewan side, Saskatchewan government relations minister Eric Schmalz said the province was excited to recognize Treaty 6. Schmalz, attending with Premier Scott Moe, said the relationship between the province and First Nations is strong. He said he has an "open door policy" to ensure Indigenous leaders are heard.

"Whether it comes to resource extraction or whether it's education in the public school system, these are important things that we need to learn and ensure that we have that focus and collaboration with our Indigenous partners," Schmalz said.

Moe said the province has success stories in resource projects and highway signs marking treaty boundaries. "Many responsibilities that the provincial government has in this space, but I think more importantly are our individual responsibilities to walk the path and the spirit of the treaties in every day of our lives," he said.

Kelsey Jacko, chief of Cold Lake First Nations, said, "For 150 years, His Majesty's government's policies have done us harm, but we are still here." Jacko thanked Moe for attending.

Perspectives

Indigenous leaders

Indigenous leaders at the commemoration emphasized the need to move beyond remembrance to implementation, citing broken promises, the unfulfilled medicine chest clause, and residential school trauma as reasons the next 150 years must differ.

Crown representatives

Gov. Gen. Louise Arbour and federal ministers acknowledged past harms and voiced commitment to rebuilding trust, with Arbour stating, "Today marks our commitment to keeping that trust alive."

Alberta government

Alberta Indigenous Relations Minister Rajan Sawhney issued a statement reflecting on the treaty's importance, while the government defended its absence from some events and its referendum, which First Nations opposed.

Saskatchewan government

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Minister Eric Schmalz attended the events, highlighting a strong relationship with First Nations and emphasizing collaboration on resource development and education.