News

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner welcomes the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and the Government of Canada announcement of the appointment of Mary Culbertson as the new Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan.

“We are excited to welcome Mary Culbertson as the new Treaty Commissioner and look forward to working with her as we continue down the path of Treaty fulfillment and Reconciliation,” said Harry Lafond, OTC executive director.

Culbertson begins immediately and will serve as commissioner until January 28, 2021.

To the positions Culbertson brings her extensive experience in public and community service and background in family, criminal and Aboriginal law as well as dispute resolution.

Culbertson is a member of the Keeseekoose First Nation in Saskatchewan and has almost 20 years professional experience working in the federal, provincial and territorial governments and with Indigenous organizations.

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner’s Director of Livelihood and Economic Independence, Milton Tootoosis attended the Treaties 1-11 Gathering hosted by the Maskwacis Cree 4 Nations.

The two-day gathering was held Jan. 30 and 31 at the River Cree Resort on the Enoch Cree Nation just west of Edmonton.

The gathering had presenters on topics such as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, land-based treaty, the Medicine Chest, the Indian Act, Child & Family Services, the Maskwacis Education Protocol and Agreement, Treaty Cards and several presentations about the spirit and intent of treaty.

There were many presenters who reinforced the concepts about sovereignty, the spirit and intent and the urgency to find solutions for implementation of many outstanding treaty promises. Several delegates also stressed the importance of unity and working collaboratively for solutions to century old challenges.

“I have attended several Treaty Gatherings and I would have to say there is always a perspective or concept that we all need to be reminded of,” Tootoosis said.

“The constant message being echoed at the gathering was the need for action and a unified approach by all treaty nations for solutions.”

Great Plains College has signed a strategic alliance with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner, promising the two will work together to educate on Treaties and Indigenous knowledge, and promote an Indigenous inclusive learning environment.

“We thank Great Plains College for their commitment to including Indigenous perspectives and knowledge in their programs and we look forward to working together to promote reconciliation through education,” said Harry Lafond, executive director for the Office of the Treaty Commissioner.

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner recognizes the value and supports the effort of Great Plains College as they facilitate the realization of students’ education goals through the provision of programs and services at the college that are culturally responsive, nurture academic excellence and create a welcoming and positive learning environment, especially in that key first year.

“The Office of the Treaty Commission has had an enormous impact on our student culture and in its support for Indigenous students in particular. The college is committed to incorporating Indigenous perspectives and knowledge in capacity building, community service and teaching,” said Great Plains College vice president academic, Brian Gobbett.

“We are happy to have an ongoing relationship with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner and pleased to formalize it through the signing of this strategic alliance.”

The City of Saskatoon in partnership with Reconciliation Saskatoon is proud to support Orange Shirt Day activities on Sept. 30, 2017. The day aims to raise awareness of the devastating impact of the Indian residential school system on Aboriginal people and our community.

“As an Indian residential school survivor, we were taught to love God but we were also taught how to hate ourselves as native people,” said Frank Badger, Elder and residential school survivor.

“I still experience feelings of inadequacy and a lack of confidence due to the physical and emotional abuse I received at the school. No kids should experience what I did; we must love our kids and look after them no matter what background they have because every child matters.”

From the 1880s until 1996 when the last school closed, 150,000 First Nation, Inuit and Métis children were removed from their communities and forced to attend residential schools across Canada.

Office of the Treaty Commissioner executive director Harry Lafond is a residential school survivor.

“I am inspired by Elders like Rose Atimoyoo who said, ‘The bringing up of a child can be likened to braiding a willow. It will grow as you braid it. So it is with a child – what he is taught and what is done with him as a child is how he will grow up, just like the braided willow,’” he said.

“Orange Shirt Day reminds us that love breeds love and pain breeds pain. What do we want for our grandchildren?”

All members of the community are encouraged to get involved by wearing an orange T-shirt or clothing item on Sept. 30 and attend the Community Pancake Breakfast planned to honour residential school survivors.

“Orange Shirt Day is an important day for all members of the community to unite in a spirit of reconciliation and honour residential school survivors, their descendants and the children who were lost,” said Shirley Isbister, president of Central Urban Metis Federation Inc.

“The impact of residential schools goes far beyond the children who experienced it firsthand. Even today, five generations later, my family feels the effects resulting from decades of cultural loss and intergenerational trauma inflicted on families.”

The day grew out of the story of six-year old Phyllis Webstad who wore an orange shirt on her first day of residential school. It was forcefully removed from her and her story is now a powerful reminder of the inter-generational trauma that has resulted from decades of cultural loss.

Today two new flags flew over the Lakeland College campuses in Vermillion and Lloydminster – Treaty 6 and Metis Homeland.

“The flags are a symbol of shared history and shared future,” said Lloydminster MLA Colleen Young during the event.

This is just an outward sign of the steps Lakeland College is making towards Reconciliation. According to president, Alice Wainwright-Stewart, the college is working to make their campuses a welcoming educational environment including a speaker series, creation of an Aboriginal students’ lounge, awareness courses and more.

“The flags show commitment to relationships based on rights, respect and cooperation,” she said.

Office of the Treaty Commissioner executive director Harry Lafond spoke about the importance of knowing our histories.

“We can’t go forward in a good way without knowing from where we’ve come. That is our identity,” he said.

“Stay curious about the stories that are not told in written form. First Nations, Metis and settlers. All stories. These are our stories.”

Onion Lake Chief Wallace Fox agrees with the message of unity.

“To live and cohabit on this land we need to work together in equal partnership.”

The OTC executive director, Harry Lafond, is being recognized for his work towards Reconciliation.

As part of the U of S Canada 150 Project, the University of Saskatchewan is recognizing 10 remarkable members of the university community as U of S Canada 150 Citizens. These individuals have significantly contributed to Canada becoming a more diverse, inclusive and environmentally sustainable country.

The honourees were nominated by members of the public, and were selected for exemplifying the Canada 150 themes of diversity and inclusion, reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, environment and youth.

Harry is an advocate for Indigenous Peoples and the Cree language. He has a range of experience in politics and academics, and not only is he currently the executive director of the Office of the Treaty Commissioner, he serves as chair of the Board of Trustees First Nations Trust.

Previously, he served his nation as chief, and worked as the Director of Education and as the principal of Kihiw Waciston School.

A member of the U of S Senate from 1995-2002, Harry is also a university lecturer who guides his students in developing  visions for reconciliation in their own lives, and inspires participation beyond the classroom.

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner’s Treaty Catalyst Teacher Workshop held in Saskatoon saw 19 teachers participate.

The History of Treaty Making – Day One
The first day of the workshop is designed to increase knowledge, enhance individual self-awareness and strengthen skills for teachers.  Elder Gladys Wapass-Greyeyes and Chief Sylvia Weenie of Stoney Knoll Cree Nation talked about their life experiences under the Indian Act, cultural teachings, Residential Schools and contemporary issues.

Teaching Treaties in the Classroom – Day Two
The objective of day two of the workshop is to become familiar with the resources and materials used to teach Treaties.  The Elders shared their traditional teachings and cultural worldview.  The group were introduced to the OTC Treaty resource materials in the K – Grade 12 Treaty Resource Kit and followed with an activity on the Treaty Essential Learnings.  The teachers each developed lesson plan for immediate use in their respective classrooms.

 Treaty Catalyst Teacher – Days Three and Four
The objective of these workshops is to give the teachers more exposure to First Nation Elders and their specific traditional teachings according to the signatories of Treaty.  The teachers work in small and large groups to review and share treaty resources with each other.  Topics of discussion include tips on facilitation and Q and A on specific contemporary issues and concerns.

Thanks to the Workshop Facilitator, Cort Dogniez, there are now nineteen more teachers who are certified to deliver the Day 1 and Day 2 workshops within their schools, Tribal Councils and school divisions.

— Brenda Ahenakew

The Guide is intended to provide individuals with a basic outline of Aboriginal protocol and governance systems in order to facilitate improved relationship building either as co-workers, through business opportunities or through inclusion in specific projects.

The framework for the Guide was made possible, in part, through a summer employment partnership opportunity with the Saskatoon Tribal Council, and was developed through an internal collaboration between the Regional Planning, Aboriginal Relations and Communications Divisions.  The team then partnered with the Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre (SICC) and the Office of the Treaty Commissioner (OTC) who provided valuable information on First Nation meeting etiquette, protocols and ceremonial traditions.  The content is presented as an adaptive and living document that will continue to develop as our relationships and understanding grows.

— Gilles Dorval, City of Saskatoon