Treaty 6 manuscript returns to traditional territory

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner worked alongside Beardy’s & Okemasis Cree Nation to bring the original Treaty 6 manuscript back to its traditional territory for the 150- year commemoration.

“This is the first time in 150 years that Treaty 6 is back in Treaty 6 territory. The original text,” said Eli Worme, a summer student in the Research and Archives department at the Office of the Treaty Commissioner.

“For the last 150 years, it’s been stored at the preservation society though Library and Archives Canada in Gatineau, Quebec right across the river from Ottawa.”

About 18 months ago Chief Edwin Ananas started the process, and with the support of OTC the manuscripts will b brought to four Treaty sites this summer/fall – Fort Carlton, Beardy’s Campsite, Fort Pitt / Onion Lake and Enoch Cree Nation.

There had to be arrangements for insurance, specialty shipping, and keeping the manuscript out of direct light, said Research and Archives director Sheldon Krasowski.

“In fact, this document has never been on display to the public until now.”

Krasowski said there has been a range of emotions for people who see the 10 pages of documents. This is particularly true for “descendants who see the chiefs who they have ancestral ties to, when they see their name on the Treaty, they are very emotional.”

It has also been a good learning experience for non-First Nations on the Spirit and Intent of Treaty, he said.

“The first thing that happened at Treaty 6 was a Pipe Ceremony.  That’s the most important part. The connection to the Creator, then we talk about the Spirit and Intent, wahkôhtowin, the brother-to-brother relationship between First Nations and newcomers,” Krasowski said.

“We also talk about the negotiations themselves, the chief’s speeches, what was actually agreed too. Then finally we have the Treaty text, it’s the least important part of Treaty but it does shed light on the negotiations here at Fort Carlton.”

The Treaty will travel to Beardy’s for Aug. 28, then on to Fort Pitt / Onion Lake in early September.