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In November Joan Beatty, the first Indigenous woman ever elected to the Saskatchewan legislature, was honoured at an event hosted by Saskatchewan’s NDP MLAs at the legislature.

Beatty served as the MLA for Cumberland from 2003 to 2008 before becoming the first Indigenous woman appointed to the Saskatchewan cabinet, serving as Minister of Culture, Youth and Recreation and Provincial Secretary.

“Joan is a trailblazer and has been a strong voice for northern people ever since I’ve known her,” said Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan, Dr. Kathy Walker. “She’s provided invaluable support and mentorship to so many and continues to be a strong community builder.”

Beatty was born in Deschambault Lake and is a member of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation. Prior to entering politics, she built a respected career in journalism as a broadcaster with the CBC, where she helped bring Indigenous voices, stories, and perspectives to a wide audience.

Throughout her career Beatty has demonstrated strong leadership grounded in community, culture, and public service.

Learn more about the event
Saskatchewan NDP honour Joan Beatty, first Indigenous woman elected as MLA (CTV News)
Saskatchewan NDP honours former NDP MLA, Joan Beatty (APTN News)

The Gathering brought together approximately 100 Elders from the Touchwood Hills region. Citizens and Elders from Muskowekwan, Daystar, and Kawacatoose First Nations—members of the Touchwood Agency Tribal Council—took part in the two-day event focused on knowledge sharing, history, and intergenerational learning. The oldest Elder in attendance was 91 years old, representing Kawacatoose First Nation.

Chief Wanda Whitehawk (Daystar), Chief Leanne Kehler (Kawacatoose), and Chief Cynthia Desjarlais (Muskowekwan) attended to support their Elders and participate in discussions on Treaty history and contemporary issues.

Senator Bill Armstrong of Kawacatoose played a central role in organizing the gathering, which included presentations by speakers from Touchwood First Nations as well as the Office of the Treaty Commissioner and the Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre.

“We were pleased to be invited to be part of the gathering and present on Treaty issues such as repatriation and annuities,” said Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan, Dr. Kathy Walker. Director of Research and Archives, Sheldon Krasowski, and the Commissioner, enjoyed visiting with and learning from the Elders.

“Being welcomed into this circle of knowledge is an honour,” said Dr. Walker.

“Our Elders ground us in the spirit and intent of the Treaties, and their teachings guide the work we continue to do today.”

The OTC team spoke on foundations of Treaty, contemporary Treaty issues, the work of Treaty education in Saskatchewan, as well as the importance and process of repatriation in Canada.

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner and the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan partnered to present Leading Together: Healing the Past – Empowering the Future Awards in Regina on Nov. 22.

Two awards are presented annually to an individual and an organization to recognize their long-term impact towards truth and reconciliation. Recipients demonstrate long-term commitment to fostering understanding, healing, and collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, to honouring the spirit and intent of treaties, and to active engagement in initiatives that address the legacy of colonization, systemic inequality, and intergenerational trauma.

This work is often related to issues and/or areas of activity including land, education, anti-racism, MMIWG2SBM, justice, health, social services, economic development, arts, language and culture.

The individual award went to Lindsay ‘eekwol’ Knight, a trailblazer in Indigenous hip hop, who has dedicated over two decades to advancing truth and reconciliation through her art, educational leadership and community engagement. She was the first Indigenous Storyteller-in-Residence at the University of Saskatchewan and is currently pursuing a PhD.

The organization award was presented to The Truth and Reconciliation Committee of Swift Current and Area. Since 2017, this Committee has consistently organized and delivered programs, events and activities with truth as the cornerstone while working toward reconciliation in their community.

Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan, Dr. Kathy Walker was pleased to present the awards to the incredible recipients.

These awards are made possible by a generous donation of the Sarkar Family Foundation

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner hosted the first Treaty Youth Gathering on Nov. 14, welcoming youth from One Arrow First Nation, Beardy’s & Okemasis Cree Nation, and Muskoday First Nation. With the theme Youth Empowerment through Treaty Education, the day focused on giving the 45 young people space to learn, speak, and lead.

Leadership from each nation joined the event, along with FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron and Vice-Chief Fabian Head, who both shared messages of encouragement to the youth. Chief Cameron even offered a quick Cree lesson as a reminder that language revitalization starts one word at a time.

The youth were introduced to the day’s theme before diving into a Treaty crash course and a round of Treaty Jeopardy, which was a favourite.

In the afternoon, everyone moved into smaller groups to explore key areas of Treaty relationships—between First Nations and the Crown, with the land, through oral histories, and within themselves. Elders and leaders supported these conversations, creating a safe space where youth felt comfortable asking questions and being heard.

“The day was about learning to live the Treaties, which is the blueprint for reconciliation. To see youth actively involved is incredible,” said Treaty Commissioner, Dr. Kathy Walker.

The gathering ended with talking circles and final messages. Youth told us they appreciated the small size of the gathering because it made it easier to speak openly. Youth also asked that this not be a once-a-year event, but something held quarterly so they can continue building on what they learned.

Before heading home, each youth received a Treaty Youth Gathering bunnyhug and a backpack.

Under Treaty, First Nations were not required to serve in conflicts involving the Crown or Canada.

Yet thousands chose to serve, defending a country that did not treat them as equals, demonstrating commitment to their communities and Canada. When they returned home, Indigenous veterans found their Treaty and human rights denied—losing status, land, and access to the same supports given to other veterans. While non-Indigenous veterans received farmland and benefits, Indigenous veterans were often excluded from these programs.

“When we remember Indigenous veterans, we also remember the promises of peace, respect, and mutual support that the Treaties represent,” said Treaty Commissioner Dr. Kathy Walker. “By living the Treaties we can work to undo past wrongs and uphold those promises today.”

Today, as part of your reconciliation journey, take time to learn about and honour these veterans—their courage, their sacrifice, and their resilience.

ithiniw-simâkanisihkânak / Indian Veterans
Salamô omasinahikîwin / Written by Solomon Ratt

We Answered the Call: A History of the Saskatchewan First Nations’ Contribution to Canada’s Freedom and Democracy

30 Years Later: On the Founding of Indigenous Veterans Day

The Indigenous Veterans Initiative: Finding Unmarked Graves

Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association and the Office of the Treaty Commissioner are proud to announce the signing of a memorandum of understanding. Following a Pipe Ceremony, the signing took place Nov. 3, 2025 between Treaty Commissioner Dr. Kathy Walker and SUMA President Randy Goulden at the Office of the Treaty Commissioner in Saskatoon.

The OTC and SUMA aim to work together to promote understanding of Treaty rights and Truth and Reconciliation among Saskatchewan’s urban municipalities and to facilitate relationship-building between First Nations and municipalities.

“SUMA is demonstrating great leadership in committing to strengthen Treaty relations among urban municipalities in Saskatchewan,” said Treaty Commissioner Dr. Kathy Walker.

“This partnership embodies living the Treaties through education, recognition of our shared history, collaborative problem-solving and respectful relations. It is rooted in mutual respect and wîtaskêwin, or living together in peace and harmony, for our mutual benefit.”

“Municipalities and First Nations have been each other’s neighbours since before Saskatchewan even became a province,” said SUMA President Randy Goulden.

“We’re grateful to work with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner to make sure urban municipalities have the knowledge and tools they need to collaborate with First Nations partners and advance shared priorities, including updated infrastructure, economic development, and community safety.”

SUMA and the Office of the Treaty Commissioner recognize that all urban municipalities in Saskatchewan are located within Treaty territories, making all urban municipalities and their residents Treaty people. All residents of Saskatchewan, including within First Nations and non-First Nations communities, stand to benefit from strengthened Treaty relationships.

Photo (L-R): SUMA CEO Jean-Marc Nadeau, Treaty Commissioner Dr. Kathy Walker, SUMA Manager of Communications Roxanne Korpan, Elder Julie Pitzel, OTC Director of Public Policy and Development Darrelyne Bickel, SUMA President Randy Goulden, and OTC Treaty Relations Lead Charlie Clark.

The first ever Treaty Learning Journey 2: Living Our Treaties Conference hosted by the Office of the Treaty Commissioner was held in October. The gathering was a partnership with the Yorkton Tribal Council to bring the event to a new region.

The first edition of the conference Treaty Learning Journey: Let’s Talk Truth began in 2022 and the OTC team kept hearing from attendees that they wanted more. With this in mind, the second part was created.

The event included a panel of Knowledge Keepers and elders on what it means to live the Treaties, Treaty and UNDRIP, information from the Treaty Land Sharing Network, and group sessions on moving Treaty forward.

“The more people we can give this education to, the better,” said OTC Director of Education, Elaine Sutherland. She points to the words of the late senator Murray Sinclair, “Education got us into this mess, and education will get us out.”

There were more than 100 people who attended the conference including leaders, educators and people from all different sectors were present.

“We also had a lot of people coming from other regions of the province to come to Yorkton,” said Dr. Kathy Walker, Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan.

“Treaties are a relationship. A living relationship that requires each of us to breathe life, to embody and to implement in our lives and in our work,” she said, in an interview with SaskToday.

Read more about the event:

Yorkton Conference offers Treaty education opportunity in Yorkton

Yorkton conference was a learning opportunity about treaties

We stand in solidarity with Samuel’s family and all families and communities who have lost loved ones through horrific acts of violence. We support them in their fight for accountability and justice.

The Bird family has requested privacy as they grieve. In this time of mourning, we ask everyone to respect the family’s request.

Anyone affected by the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous people can access support through the 24-hour hotline at 1-844-413-6649.

This year Saskatchewan marked 120 years as a province. The Office of the Treaty Commissioner attended the Sask120 event at the Remai Modern in Saskatoon to help reflect on the story of Treaty governance of these lands.

It’s important to note that the Treaties predate the establishment of the Province of Saskatchewan by three decades and that Treaty boundaries exceed provincial boundaries. Despite the Treaties being foundational constitutional agreements, most people in Saskatchewan don’t know much about Treaties, and that is not by accident.

Teaching Treaties as a foundational pillar of history and governance on this land has not been a fundamental part of the provincial education curriculum.  Settlement proceeded without honouring the Treaty relationship, with Treaty nations and citizens often treated as obstacles rather than as partners in forging a peaceful and harmonious way of life for everyone based on sharing the land.

That lack of education has created outstanding issues that First Nations continue to deal with today including the misunderstanding of Treaty rights, the belief that Treaties are outdated, and a lack of awareness that First Nations never surrendered the land.

A big part of the work of the OTC is Treaty education and awareness, a role that is necessary for us all to understand the truth of our shared history: Treaties are the original blueprint for reconciliation and we are all Treaty people.

The Government of Saskatchewan has taken meaningful steps to advance Treaty education over the past 20 years:  highway signs mark Treaty boundaries, Treaty education is now mandated in K–12 schools, and the province proclaims Treaties Recognition Week annually.

While important steps, there is still a lot of work to be done. Treaty education needs to be more consistent.

Treaties are not just moral obligations, they are recognized in First Nations core constitutional documents, Canada’s Constitution and internationally in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Honouring Treaties enables shared success through innovation and ongoing dialogue, nurtures just relationships, and offers a path forward where all people benefit.

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner (OTC) mourns the passing of kêhtê-aya Jacob Bill, at age 101. We send condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and the people of Pelican Lake First Nation, Treaty 6.

At his passing, Elder Bill was a member of the OTC’s Treaty kihtehayah Council providing advice on all research conducted by the office and giving guidance to the work of the office as a whole.

He advised the Treaty Table for the OTC in the 1990s and 2000s and contributed to the book Treaty Elders of Saskatchewan: Our Dream Is That We May One Day Be Clearly Recognized as Nations authored by Harold Cardinal and Walter Hildebrandt and based on extensive interviews with Treaty kêhtê-ayak.

Jacob Bill, who was 76 when he was interviewed for the book, was the last surviving voice of the book.

In the book, kêhtê-aya Jacob Bill talks about the Treaties as ‘kihci-asotamatowina’ or as ‘sacred undertakings,’ noting that “When one makes a sacred promise to the Creator … such an undertaking is a grave matter, and it is to be feared in the event of a breach.”

In his final interview with OTC last year, he told interviewer Abel Charles, Grandmother’s Bay, Treaty 6A (1889) simply that “from this Treaty, all life comes from it.”

He will be greatly missed, but his knowledge and teachings on Treaty and the nêhiyawak, which he said means ‘People of the Four Directions’ will live on.