This summer, an act of reconciliation and repatriation took place when Pamela Wintringham returned a collection of arrowheads to Beardy’s & Okemasis First Nation (BOFN). The artifacts, originally found by her grandfather on the family’s farm, were given back to the community that were the original users of the land.

Pamela was inspired to take this step after attending the Office of the Treaty Commissioners’ Treaty Learning Journey in 2024, where she deepened her understanding of the time before Treaty, Treaty making, breaches of Treaty, and reconciliation.

She approached Beardy’s & Okemasis to offer the arrowheads, because she said it felt like the right thing to do.

Chief Edwin Ananas accepted the artifacts on behalf of BOFN and said that they will be preserved and displayed in the Nation’s governance centre.

“I hope that her action moves others to take steps to acknowledge the history of these lands and to honour that history with real action,” said Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan, Dr. Kathy Walker.

This shows that individuals have a role to play in the reconciliation journey, and that honouring Treaty relationships begins with respect, understanding, and willingness to act.