On Dec. 4, Chiefs and Councillors with ancestors that signed Treaty 4, Treaty 6 and Treaty 10 participated in a tour of the Preservation Centre in Gatineau, Quebec organized by the Office of the Treaty Commissioner and Library and Archives Canada.

Five original Treaties were viewed: Treaty 1 signed in 1871; Treaty 4 signed in 1874; an adhesion to Treaty 4 signed in 1875 at Qu’Appelle Lakes; Treaty 6 signed in 1876 and Treaty 10 signed in 1906. In addition, the Selkirk Treaty signed in 1817, was also available for viewing.

“It is quite moving to see the original Treaty parchments as they are foundational to the history and governance on our lands,” said Commissioner of Saskatchewan, Dr. Kathy Walker.

“These original Treaty parchments strengthen our connection with our Treaty ancestors who once stood where we stood to affix their mark or touch the pen agreeing to the Spirit and Intent of Treaty."

Many of the parchments are now 150-years-old as Treaties 1 to 5 have commemorated 150 years in the last five years. Treaty 6 will commemorate 150 years in 2026.

As its name indicates, the Preservation Centre stores the Treaties in special humidity controlled vaults to protect and preserve them for future generations. Nobody is allowed to touch the parchments without gloves.

“What struck me is the distinctness of each of the Treaty parchments” said Commissioner Walker.  “The seals, the type of paper, and even the handwriting indicate different approaches to Treatymaking as time progressed.”

The Selkirk Treaty was of particular interest to participants because Treaty leaders signed not with an ‘x’ but with their clan ‘totems’ or their clan symbol to identify themselves.

The OTC is working with First Nations leaders and the Preservation Centre to bring the original Treaty Texts to Saskatchewan for viewing by all Treaty citizens.