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On June 1, 2008, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada began its work documenting the history and impacts of the residential school system on Indigenous students and their families. Across the country residential school Survivors had the opportunity to share their experiences.

In June 2015, the commission released an executive summary of the findings along with 94 Calls to Action to promote the work of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

Today marks the five-year anniversary of the Calls to Action. The journey of reconciliation remains a part of the Treaty work of the Office of the Treaty Commissioner. In the fall of 2019, the OTC released the Vision for Truth and Reconciliation through Treaty Implementation, which share the collective hopes and goals of Saskatchewan people for the future. We are looking to understand where we are now and plan our way forward, so we can measure the growth of reconciliation in the province.

But we cannot do this work alone. Now more than ever we need everyone to remember that they are part of Treaty, and do their part to ensure Treaty rights are implemented. There are people in these territories who want to be good neighbours and Treaty partners, and through these examples we will honour the relationship our ancestors wanted for us.

We are using the anniversary in a time of COVID-19, with its health and socio-economic impacts, to call on Canada to ensure full implementation of Treaty. Treaty 6 holds the medicine chest clause where it was promised there would be relief in times of pestilence, and throughout Treaty negotiations, promises of medicine and medical care were made.

This means our communities Indigenous and non-Indigenous need to work together to safely and healthily weather this storm. Out most vulnerable population is our elderly: our Survivors of the residential school system, whose truths it is that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action were built on.

Reconciliation is a way forward from past wrongs, and current challenges.

We call on people in Saskatchewan to read the TRC Calls to Action and find ways they can engage in reconciliation. We must walk this journey together.

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner is pleased to partner with and support the work of the Masked Makers, a group of 15 seamstresses located throughout Saskatchewan making masks to support communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Angela Bishop began the project in March because she felt it was needed.

“Naturally I am concerned, I am from the northern community of Green Lake and I understand that there are a number of very complex issues and challenges at play in to our communities, so it is quite worrisome,” she said.

“I started to sew a few masks for my mom, my stepdad, who has cancer, and my brother, who drives medical taxi up north, because they don’t have the fortune of being able to stay home. After I made the masks I shared on social media some of the pictures and information on how to make a mask.”

It quickly grew.

“I initially thought I would just share my knowledge, to teach others how, and then I started getting so many mask requests that I asked my family to help,” Angela said. “For several weeks, only a few family members were helping, but I realized this was not enough, so I reached out to friends to ask for help.”

In the past few weeks they have sent more than 1,200 masks to the communities of La Loche, English River, Beauval, Green Lake, Buffalo Narrows, Pinehouse, and Ile a la Crosse. Another more than 1,000 masks have been shipped to individuals across Canada, the Navajo Nation in the USA, AIDS Saskatoon, and other communities and organizations.

All of the masks they make are free and are intended to incorporate Indigenous culture. For Elders with hearing aids, the group got bands to secure masks behind the hand instead of around the ears, with the words Awas Ota, which loosely translates in Cree as, ‘get away from here.’

“It’s social distancing in the Cree language,” Angela said.

The Masked Makers believe it is important that Indigenous communities have access to reusable face masks, to protect everyone, she said.

“An individual at risk, is a family at risk, is a community at risk, is a Nation at risk, the mask we put on the face of others protects our communities,” Angela said.

Jessica Sinclair is not  letting COVID-19 slow down her awareness raising work.

The 18-year old member of the Office of the Treaty Commissioner Youth in Service project, and put up a banner to raise awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Jessica put up a large banner in her neighbourhood on May 5 to let people know that Indigenous women are mothers, daughters, and sisters and “we are working towards better lives for our next generation.”

She wants to, “bring awareness to different communities and areas of Saskatoon and maybe they will educate themselves on Canada’s Indigenous people and our history.”

In a message to our team Jessica said she hopes people will have a better understanding of young Indigenous women and Indigenous history.

“I also hope they do some research and spread the word that our Indigenous peopled do go missing and they are murdered. I pray one day our Indigenous women and men stop going missing and we grow stronger together not only as a community but a country.”

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner welcomes the news from Wanuskewin Heritage Park of the birth of a baby bison.

According to a release from the park, the female bison is the firstborn of the herd that Wanuskewin welcomed from the United States in December 2019, with links to the famous Yellowstone herd.

In December 2019, Wanuskewin welcomed eleven genetically-pure Plains bison from herds originating in the United States and Grasslands National Park. More young bison are expected to arrive this spring.

The park says, Wanuskewin’s Elders have been delighted with the arrival of this new life; and have reminded us that the bison need privacy during this time. We kindly remind the public that Wanuskewin is closed due to COVID-19 and everyone will need to wait until Wanuskewin opens during phase four of the Re-Open Saskatchewan.

COVID-19 is creating a very stressful and trying time for many, as they balance working from home, or perhaps a loss of income, or if they should leave their homes to support their families, or if it’s even safe to get groceries.

People feeling stress and concern over COVID-19 aren’t alone. Many of us are feeling this way.

I wanted to take a minute to say that even though it is a difficult time, we need to look out for each other. Be physically distant, but take the time to be social: text your friends, call a parent or elder. When you do need to go for essential reasons like getting food or medicines, remember to stay about six feet away from others. Wash your hands often and properly (for at least 20 seconds). If you wear a mask remember it’s about protecting others by containing your germs – don’t touch it when it’s on your face, and only wear it once. When you remove it, put cloth masks to be washed and dispose one-time use masks. Wash your hands afterwards.

By staying home and supporting each other from a distance we can beat COVID-19.

If you or anyone in your community can sew and is interested in making masks that can be shared in First Nations communities, please let us know.

I know it all seems difficult, but it’s just a short time in our lives and we must remain home and safe for our loved ones.

Sincerely,

Mary Culbertson,
Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan

In response to the ongoing public health emergency, COVID-19, we are making some changes to our operations. We want to do our part to help you stay as informed as possible on our work during this time. The impacts of COVID-19 are ever changing and dynamic.

The OTC staff are no longer travelling to events around the province, and work from home.

We’re suspending activities of the speakers bureau. Many of our speakers are elders and it is of upmost importance for us to protect our knowledge keepers. If you have an event booked, you will be contacted shortly to reschedule. We are not accepting new requests for the speakers bureau for the next 30 days and after this time we will revisit the situation.

Other reconciliation events and activities hosted by the OTC will be rescheduled or cancelled on a case-by-case basis. The information will be posted on OTC Twitter and Facebook as it becomes available.

Resources on how to stay safe and healthy during this time are available through the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health.

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner understands that challenging times like these can be stressful. We need to take care of ourselves, while looking out for our friends, relatives and community.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

For a week in February a team from the Office of the Treaty Commissioner, including some of the OTC youth spent a week in Fond du Lac.

On arrival the team was warmly greeted by Fond du Lac Denesuline First Nation Chief Louie Mercredi to Treaty 8 territory.

He says the arrival of Treaty Commissioner Mary Culbertson was the first time a Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan had arrived in the community.

We saw the youth grow from the experiences, from driving on an ice road, to eating caribou, shopping at the local grocery store, working with other community youth, and attending blanket exercises.

“I believe they left with so much more than can ever be taught in a classroom, the cultural and traditional exchange is priceless,” said Angie Merasty, Youth in Service project coordinator.

The Kairos blanket exercise was well attended by people in the community including RCMP and health workers from the Athabasca Health Authority and was very powerful, she said.

Meals prepared by our new friend Janelle at Hailey’s Lodge. On some nights there were debriefing meetings with the youth on others there was music, and then on the hunt for the Northern Lights!!

The OTC youth on the trip come from Sandy Bay, Prince Albert, Red Pheasant and Saskatoon, who are here from Nigeria and India.

The OTC Youth have been filming all week, interviewing other youth, taking beautiful photos of the community, the ice road and Elders. This work will be shared as part of our ongoing youth reconciliation programs.

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner youth initiative spent three snowy days in February at Ministikwin Winter Cultural Camp, near Cold Lake, Alberta.

According to the youth, by the end of the time there the camp felt like it was home. We were so happy to hear this during the sharing circle.

For many of the youth this was their first-time trying activities like dog sledding, ice fishing, setting a net with a jigger, checking nets, making fires, boiling tea, making dry moose meat, learning to speak Cree, filleting fish, skinning, snowshoeing, and entering a sweat lodge.

“Even just sitting around the fire sharing stories and laughing was good. This was what our ancestors did, this was enjoyable and calming for the youth, no cell service, no social media and they loved it,” said Angie Merasty, Youth in Service Project Coordinator.

Many staff from the OTC as well as parents and chaperones joined in the activities and the youth during the trip.

We are grateful to the culture camp for treating us well, but also to the Cold Lake First Nation Chief Roger Marten who dropped by to meet the youth and welcomed us into his territory.

On Feb. 6, 2020, the partners of Prairie Rivers Reconciliation publicly committed to travelling the path of reconciliation together.

Through a pipe ceremony and public signing of the PRRC Reconciliation Declaration, the partners will formally begin their journey by building strong relationships for a long-term commitment to relationships and education.

“January 2018 brought together 29 people to discuss ways to build reconciliation. It began our journey of learning,” said Robin Bendig, one of the groups co-founders.

“March 2019 developed vision and objectives in a one-day retreat, and from this we created the declaration we’re signing today.”

The group decided on two priorities to move forward, relationships and education.”

More than 100 people attended the event held on One Arrow First Nation, including the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, Russell Mirasty.

“It’s critical that we have these conversations and then of course to act. Great work from committees like this build a common understanding,” he said,

“This is truly an investment in our province and like any investment it will take time, but it is crucial that we keep up the momentum.”

Mirasty brought greetings from the Queen in English and in Cree.

Prairie Rivers Reconciliation is a Committee comprised of individuals, organizations and communities, from Rural Saskatchewan, who are committed to learning about reconciliation and actively working toward reconciliation which began in January 2018.

Affinity Credit Union, Batoche National Historic Site, Carlton Trail College, City of Martensville, City of Warman, Corman Park, Dakota Dunes Community Development Corporation, Federated Co-operatives Limited, Great Plains College, Lakeland District for Sport, Culture and Recreation, Martensville High School, Mennonite Central Committee, Misty Ventures, Office of the Treaty Commissioner, One Arrow First Nation, Prairie Central District for Sport, Culture, and Recreation, Prairie Sky Chamber, Prairie Spirit School Division, RCMP, Rosthern Junior College, Rosthern Station Arts Centre, Sask Parks & Recreation Association, Sask Polytechnic, Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority, SK Health Authority, Station Arts Centre, Town of Aberdeen, Town of Osler, Town of Rosthern, Valley Action Abilities, Waldheim School, Warman High School.

When the Office of the Treaty Commissioner decided to update the logo as we marked our 30th anniversary, we decided to look to the future of Saskatchewan – youth.

We sent a call for entries to all schools in the province and received well more than 100 entries.

“It was very difficult to pick the winner because there were so many amazing entries,” said Trish Greyeyes, OTC executive director.

Tiegan, 18, from Medstead School had her design selected to be the next logo.

“We were impressed with Tiegan’s entry not only because of how beautiful the drawing was, but her written submission. To us, her written submission was moving because she talked about the spirit and intent of Treaty,” Greyeyes said.

In her entry Tiegan wrote, “I drew all of these things because they are all part of First Nations culture.”

She wrote about the medicine wheel around the whole picture because it represents spiritual, emotional, physical and mental needs. She included sweet grass because through smudging it purifies body and soul and clarifies the mind. She talked about Treaties lasting as long as the grass grows, the river flows and the sun shines.

“The feather I drew because it symbolizes, truth, honour, strength, wisdom, power and freedom.”

We are so excited to have the logo to take us into the future of the office.