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In an effort to build on the popular Teaching Treaties in the Classroom training and reach people beyond educators, the Office of the Treaty Commissioner has designed and started the Treaty Learning Journey.

Designed to walk people through history, the journey starts with Before Treaty, then what happened At Treaty, After Treaty, and Today. Topics include Indigenous worldview and indigeneity, numbered Treaties, breaches of Treaty, and contemporary Treaty issues.

The trainings also include practice strategies that educators can use to teach others.

The Treaty Learning Journey (Phases 1 and 2) began with a few targeted trainings last fall, but has quickly grown in popularity and demand. The OTC has more than 25 trainings booked into the spring.

“I highly recommend this Treaty Timeline Journey to schools, churches, parishes.  To wherever people gather,” said Bonnie Roberts, after she completed the training this winter.

“Participants were frequently reminded as we learned more historical facts that there was no ‘shame or blame’ on us.”

She described the training as “a clear, interactive and systematic Treaty timeline leaves this participant with a fundamental rewiring and understanding of the relationship between First Nations people and the British and Canadian governments.”

During the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Assembly this past week, Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan, Mary Culbertson, presented for the last time in her home territory of Treaty 4.

It was an emotional event, as the Treaty Commissioner was honoured for all her hard work over the past five years. She was in her home tribal council area, surrounded by many relatives, friends, and neighbours as she was honoured with a star blanket.

During the Treaty Commissioner’s final report she spoke about the mandate of the office, what has been completed, and what is still ahead.

“It has been an honour to serve,” she said.

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner was pleased to be able to attend the National Gathering on Unmarked Burials: Affirming Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Community Control over Knowledge and Information in Vancouver last week.

There were several people representing Saskatchewan in attendance. The OTC team was pleased to meet Phyllis Webstad, the founder of Orange Shirt Day.

Keynote addresses included “Honouring Children Found in Unmarked Graves: Those That did not Survive Indian Residential Schools” and “Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Vision in the Creation of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.”

Much of the information being shared was on the importance of data sovereignty and access to record, including practical information about what records are available and how they can be accessed; as well as information about specific research and archives projects.  Other breakout sessions included Indigenous Law Relating in Information and Knowledge, Indigenous community Perspective: The Power of Data; and the Transfer and Condition of Records: Language and Translation.

Trauma-informed and culturally appropriate health and wellness supports were available and there were others taking statements from survivors if they wanted share. Smudging was available throughout the event.

The next National Gathering is in Toronto, March 27-29, 2023.

Psychologist Gordon Asmundson is known for his research into anxiety around COVID-19 and post-traumatic stress disorder.  Dr. Ivar Mendez is a neurosurgeon, who is innovate in Canada and around the world. Don Kossick is a social justice and human rights advocate, focused on empowering communities. Rod McKendrick is with the Victims Services team where he is an interpersonal violence specialist.

The Honourable Judge Gerald Morin, from Ballantyne Cree Nation, is the first Cree-speaking judge in Saskatchewan and he created the Cree Court Circuit. This and his ongoing mentorship of young lawyers and judges had him named a Member of the Order of Canada.

Every time an Indigenous person takes a position of leadership or is recognized for their role in making their community, territory, or country a better place, it shows others what is possible.

We congratulate Judge Morin on his accomplishment and thank him for being a role model and trailblazer.

All of these five honourees have enriched the lives of others and made a difference to their country. They show us the way forward and we are inspired by their service, innovation, and compassion.

The Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan, Mary Culbertson, received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in a small ceremony at the Office of the Treaty Commissioner on Dec. 7, 2022.

“It is very special for me to be able to do this today,” said Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, Russell Mirasty during the medal presentation.

“Thank you for so much for what you have done, what you continue to do, and what you have committed to doing in the future.”

Mirasty spoke about the importance of Indigenous people stepping into public spaces to “claim our right to be there and be able to express ourselves, our world view and really educate people about who we are, why we are here and ultimately we belong.”

“Work like what you have done enforces that and will continue to into the future.”

Friends and family in attendance, as well as OTC staff, spoke about the impact the Commissioner has had in their lives and on their work.

The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (QPJM) recognizes outstanding Saskatchewanians of all ages and from all walks of life, who have built and continue to build a strong, vibrant society and province through their service, contributions, and achievements.

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner (OTC) mourns the passing of Elder Danny Musqua. We send condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and the people of Keeseekoose First Nation.

Elder Musqua was an Elder in residence in our office under Treaty Commissioner David Arnott, and his work has had a significant impact on how we look at Treaties. Elder Musqua’s words from September 1997, remain on the wall of the office continuing to guide the work we do.

“We made a covenant with Her Majesty’s government, a covenant is not just a relationship between people, it’s a relationship between three parties, you (the Crown) and me (First Nations) and the Creator.”

Elder Musqua also had a significant impact with First Nations University of Canada (formerly the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College). He served as an Elder in residence, providing cultural teachings and traditional activities for the BISW program and the U of S ITEP program.

Elder Musqua was granted an honourary degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1995, where he also taught. He served as a band councillor at the Keeseekoose First Nation and received Citizen of the Year from Federation of Saskatchewan Indigenous Nations.

His teachings have been published, including The Teachings of the Bear Clan As Told to Saulteaux Elder Danny Musqua and The Seven Fires: The Lifelong Process of Growth and Learning as Explained by Saulteaux Elder Danny Musqua

Elder Musqua was married to Thelma Musqua, originally from the Waywayseecappo Reserve. They had 12 children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was the son of Roy Musqua and Nellie Brass. Elder Musqua always said his greatest inspiration came from his father and his uncle John Tootoosis. He comes from a family wealthy in knowledge and love.

“They taught me about Treaties, the meaning of Treaties as well as the spirit and intent. They taught me to be proud as a people and to never forget that we had an agreement with the Crown. They taught me that it was very important to keep learning about Treaties, so I did.”

“My uncle always taught about compassion, love and kindness. Like many who survived residential schools he overcame the trauma eventually in his life and lived to serve others. He did so with dignity,” said Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan Mary Culbertson.

While Elder Musqua will be greatly missed, his teachings will live on.

Wake services will be 4 p.m. Dec. 7 with his funeral at 11 a.m. Dec. 8 at the Keeseekoose Chiefs Education Centre.

Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan Mary Culbertson, and members of the Office of the Treaty Commissioner team were honoured to attend the second “National Gathering on Unmarked Burials: Addressing Trauma in the Search and Recovery of Missing Children” in Winnipeg this week.

The event, which finished Nov. 30, was hosted by the Independent Special Interlocutor, in partnership with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

It was about addressing trauma and healing during the search and recovery of missing residential school children.

“Coming together to heal and having support and resources to do this is such an important part of this process,” said Commissioner Culbertson.

“The residential school system is about the failed Treaty promise of education; we need solidarity to heal, especially during recovery work.”

Senator Murray Sinclair, chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, spoke as the key note on Monday about unresolved grief, community trauma, and the power of people helping one another to heal.

If you are a Survivor and need emotional support, a national crisis line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week: 1-866-925-4419. Emotional, cultural and professional support services are also available to Survivors and their families through the Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program. Services can be accessed on an individual, family or group basis.

Nov. 9 focuses on Lateral Violence/Lateral Kindness and Nov. 10 on the United Nations Declaration on Right of Indigenous Peoples.

“Before we talk about the rights agenda we need to talk about healing,” said Treaty Commissioner Mary Culbertson.

“We need to talk about healing within ourselves or within our nations and that starts with kindness.”

By being kind to one another, we can tackle the legacy of residential school, the broken Treaty promises, and change the systems that weren’t built for everyone, she said. Reminding people that how we treat each other is what youth see.

The conference gives attendees from across Saskatchewan the opportunity to share their stories, as well as educate and support one another.

“We heal people by the way we treat people,” said FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron during the opening session.

“Those acts of kindness go a long way, not only for ourselves, but for those who are healing.”

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner was pleased to attend two events in October honouring flags and Treaty medals.

On Oct. 20, Bishop Pocock School had an event featuring students in school performances, dancers, and speakers from across the community, including OTC Director of Treaty Education Elaine Sutherland. It was a Treaty 6 Medal ceremony and Treaty 6 Flag blessing.

The next day at St. Angela School, the Director of Treaty Education spoke at an event honouring the Treaty 6 Medal and the Métis Flag with performances and information sharing.

The OTC is happy to be able to attend these important events that show the emphasis being placed on Treaty in the classroom. We see this as an important step in reconciliation.

On October 17 and 18, about 70 people from across Saskatchewan gathered at the Remai Modern in Saskatoon to talk about moving reconciliation forward.

Hosted by the Office of the Treaty Commissioner, the group of Elders, donors, and members of 10 Reconciliation Circles across Saskatchewan came to share stories and discuss what impact they wanted to have in the coming months and years.

“The goal as we are coming out of COVID was to re-energize, build and strengthen relationships, and think about where we are, where we want to go and how we’re going to get there,” said Rhett Sangster, Director, Reconciliation and Community Partnership at the OTC.

“We pulled together 70 people and we created a ‘we’ in two days. There was a lot of positive energy, a lot of smiles, and a real sense of hope among this very diverse group of people.”

There was ceremony, inclusion of Indigenous language, and support from Elders throughout the retreat.

In terms of challenges to advancing reconciliation work, the groups and individuals discussed resourcing, how to communicate the work, how to organize, and how to overcome resistance to the reconciliation movement.

They weren’t looking to find answers and solutions in only two days, but rather to figure out ways to work together and create an agenda to move forward.

“We talked about Indigenous and non-Indigenous ways of being together, a new way of doing things that seeks wisdom from all sources,” Sangster said.

“It was awesome, it was a really good gathering.”