The Office of the Treaty Commissioner was pleased to be invited and attend the Touchwood First Nations’ first official Elders Gathering on Treaty 7 territory.

The Gathering brought together approximately 100 Elders from the Touchwood Hills region. Citizens and Elders from Muskowekwan, Daystar, and Kawacatoose First Nations—members of the Touchwood Agency Tribal Council—took part in the two-day event focused on knowledge sharing, history, and intergenerational learning. The oldest Elder in attendance was 91 years old, representing Kawacatoose First Nation.

Chief Wanda Whitehawk (Daystar), Chief Leanne Kehler (Kawacatoose), and Chief Cynthia Desjarlais (Muskowekwan) attended to support their Elders and participate in discussions on Treaty history and contemporary issues.

Senator Bill Armstrong of Kawacatoose played a central role in organizing the gathering, which included presentations by speakers from Touchwood First Nations as well as the Office of the Treaty Commissioner and the Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre.

“We were pleased to be invited to be part of the gathering and present on Treaty issues such as repatriation and annuities,” said Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan, Dr. Kathy Walker. Director of Research and Archives, Sheldon Krasowski, and the Commissioner, enjoyed visiting with and learning from the Elders.

“Being welcomed into this circle of knowledge is an honour,” said Dr. Walker.

“Our Elders ground us in the spirit and intent of the Treaties, and their teachings guide the work we continue to do today.”

The OTC team spoke on foundations of Treaty, contemporary Treaty issues, the work of Treaty education in Saskatchewan, as well as the importance and process of repatriation in Canada.