News
Prairie Prism 2018
Prairie Prism brings together members of the community such as schools, businesses and potential employers, settlement agencies, multi-faith groups and ethno-cultural communities, to network and collaborate. It is designed as a way to cross cultural divides and decrease possible myths about people and cultures.
Office of the Treaty Commissioner youth representative Langford Keshane-Cote sat at the interactive booth, which featured mini-tipi making while learning of the tipi teachings, and Treaty medal making while learning about the Treaty relationship and the Spirit and Intent of Treaty as symbolized in the medal.
Also, OTC youth representative Kimberly Seesequasis say at the information booth, which featured OTC information, as well as fact sheets on the Treaty history & relationship, Indigenous Awareness and Reconciliation.
Joseph Naytowhow, member of the OTC Speakers Bureau, and Yvonne Chartrand, Vancouver based artist, performed the Red River Jig at Prairie Prism. Joseph provided opening prayer, Treaty 6 song, opening remarks and provided storytelling of the Treaty relationship and of the Indigenous treaty partners.
Regina’s Orange Shirt Day 2018
Office of the Treaty Commissioner director of speakers bureau Amy Seeseequasis attended Regina’s Orange Shirt Day events to deliver words on the importance of the day. She shares those words here:Orange Shirt Day is an important way for us to collectively honour the Indigenous children who survived Indian Residential School (IRS), and those who did not. There are 80,000 federally recognized IRS survivors, but research shows that number is probably closer to 150,000. One out of every 25 children who attended IRS did not survive and make it back home to their families and communities. There are currently 80 federally recognized IRS, although research shows that between 1840 to 1996, there were closer to 350 IRS operating across Canada.
As Treaty people, we have responsibilities to each other as Treaty partners to honour and respect each other’s shared histories. This particular day reminds us of that shared history, and those shared treaty responsibilities.
Children require love, affection, nourishment and rest to grow and develop in a healthy manner.
When a child is denied those basic human needs they become physically and emotionally damaged, and more often than not, the effects of this can leave lifelong negative repercussions.
Upon Treaty signing, the relationship was severed, and a breach of Treaty took place when on-reserve schools instead became IRS due to legislation imposed under the Indian Act. It became mandatory for Indigenous children to attend and assimilation into non-Indigenous society became the primary focus of these schools. The government appointed the church systems to operate these schools.
Children in IRS were forcibly and traumatically removed from their families, communities and cultures. They were hauled away on the back of cattle trucks while heartbroken parents watched them leave in anguish. If they did not comply, they would face prosecution from the government.
Upon entering these schools they had their culture stripped of them with the removal off all their belongings and the cutting of their hair. Daily life consisted of prayer, work, eat, prayer, school, eat, school, work, eat, pray, sleep, repeat.
However, prayer in their own languages and in their own spiritual practices was denied. Work consisted of labor in maintaining the schools; farming, gardening, cooking, cleaning, sewing. Although there was fresh produce and agro foods, the children were never fed healthy meals. Food was of poor quality and proper nourishment was not received. Rest was not adequate and was hindered from poor quality beds, improper heating, long work hours, and fear of abuse, or suffering from abuse.
Children were subject to inhumane conditions and neglectful and abusive treatment in IRS. The effects of the mental, spiritual, physical and sexual abuses has left a legacy that requires a responsibility by us here presently to honour those IRS survivors and those who did not survive.
The legacy of the IRS has left an intergenerational trauma that has shown itself in the prevalent social issues amongst our Indigenous treaty relations. However, our Indigenous treaty partners are resilient and have retained the ability to share culture and guide the healing of their fellow IRS, and their kin experiencing intergenerational traumas. In the spirit and intent of treaty, which is based on the circular and holistic worldview of our Indigenous treaty partners, we are beginning to demonstrate reciprocity to each other, and are at a time of regrowth and renewal.
We see it with the honouring of our survivors at an event like today’s Orange Shirt Day. Although the treaty relationship was breached with the enactment of the Indian Act and the legislation of IRS, we have to remember that nothing in the circle ever really dies out. Although that treaty relationship may wear thin, and lose strength over time, it can always be reborn again. There is always a continuation of the circle.
By recognizing the history of IRS and honouring the IRS survivors, we are honoring that relationship we have to each other as treaty partners.
Thank you to the City of Regina for organizing this Orange Shirt Day event and inviting the Office of the Treaty Commissioner to participate. I wish you all a good day and a safe weekend.
Yorkton Reconciliation Forum
On Sept. 26, the Office of the Treaty Commissioner came together with the Yorkton Tribal Council and Big Brothers, Big Sisters Yorkton to hold the community’s first Reconciliation Forum.
Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan, Mary Culbertson, and OTC’s director of Reconciliation, Partnerships attended, alongside Yorkton’s teachers, politicians, businesses, and community members
“It’s ownership, they’re part of this conversation. They can be leaders, they can make change,” said Culberson to CTV News.
“It’s something our kids and our grandparents aren’t going to be working on so hard because we are starting it.”
The Reconciliation Forum was designed to build relationships and trust, break down barriers, and promote working towards inclusion and Reconciliation.
OTC at the 2018 Saskatchewan Student Leadership Conference
Students from across the province gathered in Langenburg on Sept. 19 to 21 for the Saskatchewan Student Leadership Conference 2018.
More than 800 students and volunteers were registered for the three days of keynotes, events and breakout sessions.
Office of the Treaty Commissioner’s director of speaker’s bureau, Amy Seeseequasis, facilitated a breakout session on Reconciliation: Fulfilling the Spirit and Intent of Treaty through Cultural Awareness and Positive Race Relations.
The session looked at Treaty history and applicable information (pre-colonial existence, contact & colonization, Treaty signing, Indian Act, Residential Schools, current realities, etc.) with focus on the Spirit and Intent of Treaty, and the roles and responsibilities of the participants as Treaty People.
Amy talked about how Reconciliation for all people begins when we recognize the importance of Treaties and our roles and responsibilities as Treaty people.
Treaty 2 gets new flag
Mary Culbertson, Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan is pleased to see a new flag for the people of Treaty 2.
Members of the Treaty territory and their leadership took some time to meet with Culbertson on a recent trip to Ottawa to share their exciting news. They also made further plans to meet again soon and work together on shared histories and Treaty education.
The Treaty Commissioner shared this fact.
“Even through the Chiefs of three bands were signatories to Treaty 4, their people were settled within Treaty 2 territory; White Bear and Ocean Man/Osiya-mani/Kihcikamiwiyin/Kitchi-kah-me-win reserves were settled by Plains Cree, Saulteaux, whereas Assiniboine, Pheasant Rump/Sio-nide and Long Lodge reserved were settled by Assiniboine.
It’s interesting to see that within the maps of the territories you will notice that there are Treaty 4 signatory bands in the Treaty 2 Territory.”
Rural Reconciliation
The first ever Rural Reconciliation: An Educational Gathering held in Warman, Nov. 7 had a great turnout of people from across the community for a day of learning and sharing.
“To see so many individuals from various cultures and heritages all coming together with a common goal of understanding their shared history was absolutely wonderful,” said Amy Seesequasis director of the Office of the Treaty Commissioner’s speaker’s bureau. She was one of the organizers.
“The mood was very energetic and full of excitement as people entered the facility and visited with one another and viewed the displays. I know that for some, it was their first time at an event like this, and they did not know what to expect.”
Mary Culbertson, Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan, made opening remarks at the event. The Office of the Treaty Commissioner speaker Dion Tootoosis spoke on the History of Treaties and the Treaty Relationship, and Annie Battiste, on Reconciliation and the Calls to Action. Tootoosis provided the Treaty 6 song and for many it was their very first time hearing the song of their Treaty territory. Eleanore Sunchild also presented.
“After each session, the presenter would have a lineup of individuals who wanted to thank them or share words of encouragement. I feel very positive about this educational gathering and I hope it sets the precedent for other communities to host these sessions,” Seesequasis said.
The group also had the opportunity to view the documentary Reserve 107, with members of the film, Gary Laplante and Leonard Doell.
“It was an excellent way to share a positive and inspiring example of rural Reconciliation.”
This Great Plains College event was hosted in partnership with Office of the Treaty Commissioner, City of Warman-City Hall, Town of Dalmeny, City of Martensville, Affinity CU and Mennonite Central Committee – MCC.
Sunchild, Tootoosis, and Laplante are all part of the OTC speakers bureau.
Yorkton Tribal Council’s Welcome Back to School
While gearing up for the new school year, the Yorkton Tribal Council held a Welcome Back to School Professional Development Day.
Mary Culbertson, Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan, was invited to speak at the event. She spoke about the chance to make real change and Treaties in the classroom.
During breakout sessions Culbertson spoke about the Office of the Treaty Commissioner’s speakers Bureau and provided examples on the Treaty Six Education Council’s Cultural Year Plan, which showed great examples of how to incorporate teaching treaties in the classroom specifically to a First Nation.
Treaty 10 Gathering
Office of the Treaty Commissioner executive director, Harry Lafond, sent a dispatch from the second annual Treaty 10 Gathering from English River First Nation’s La Plonge reserve near Beauval.For the second year in a row, I trekked north to the beautiful landscape of La Plonge in late July and early August. Treaty 10 Gathering brought out the friends I made last years and years past. Elder AJ Felix and Elder Isadore Campbell kept the sessions moving.
The Lt. Governor attended the first day and listened to every presenter until it was time for him to catch his flight home to Regina. Throughout the day, the Lt. Governor moved around the grounds engaging different people in conversation.
Gatherings like this bring out the thoughts and stories of the people and help to create bonds that are so necessary for future work in Treaty implementation
Treaty Commissioner Statement on hate speech online
Freedom of expression is a right, but sometimes people use that to spread messages of hate. The internet has given voices of hatred greater reach, facilitating the dissemination of racism, discrimination and the incitement and promotion of violence.
The words we write have an impact on others.
In Saskatchewan, the Treaty relationship is suffering and made worse by hateful and discriminatory posts online.
The Office of the Treaty Commissioner calls on individuals to join us by investing in true Reconciliation and relationship building, while having zero tolerance for any form of discrimination.
We all need to act responsibly online. We need to do more than simply not get involved in hateful and offensive posts, but also report those who do. We can no longer ignore posts that promote violence against another because of their race, religion, gender, sexuality or anything else.
We need to do better.
We are all Treaty People.
National Indigenous Peoples Day in Battleford remembers the past
This group photo was taken on June 21, 2018 during National Indigenous Peoples Day at Fort Battleford to commemorate the eight Indians that were hanged in the fall of 1885, Western Canada’s largest mass execution.
Some of the eight were linked to the Frog Lake Massacre. Without a proper trial and defense they were ordered murderers by Sir John A. McDonald and sentenced to hang. A mass grave was dug below the Fort Battleford location away from the area and hidden for many years before it was rediscovered in the 1960’s-70’s.
A grave marker was finally placed to honour the warriors. Today, there is still no signage of story about the eight. That will change as we move forward in the name of justice and Reconciliation.
Poundmaker and Big Bear were sentenced for treason-felony and served jail time at the Stony Mountain Penitentiary. Poundmaker was released early. He travelled to see his adopted father Crowfoot at Blackfoot Crossing where he died at the age of 44.
Poundmaker’s remains were brought back to his reserve in 1967 where there is a grave site near the famous battle between the Cree/Assiniboine and Col Otter’s 300 men. The battle ended in the Cree/Assiniboine favour in which Poundmaker is credited for stopping the warriors from pursuing the retreating Otter. Poundmaker saved many, many lives that day and prevented further bloodshed and asserted his dream for peace, order and good governance. He did not support Riel’s fight at Batoche as others have assumed. Poundmaker stood good to his word for peace and good relations with the settlers as promised when he accepted treaty six in 1876.
Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan, Mary Culbertson, spoke at the the National Indigenous Peoples Day commemoration.
“Remembering and honouring significant events in the course of Canada being shaped, is essential to repairing the fractured reality of the Treaty relationships,” she said after the event.
“It’s this education and this kind of commemoration that is the foundation of repairing relationships on the continued road to reconciliation. We can’t give up.”