News

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner congratulates the nêhiyawak Language Experience (nLe) for receiving the Council of the Federation Literacy Award.

“The nêhiyawak Language Experience is so deserving of this recognition. For 20 years, they have been leaders in language revitalization, in terms of connecting language learning with being in relationship with the land,” said the Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan, Dr. Kathy Walker.

“The Sturgeon Lake First Nations leaders, Elders and communities have supported the land-based language learning camps of nLe and should be commended as well. Language is more than words; it contains a way of life and learning your language also contributes to your Treaty learning journey.”

The program was founded in Sturgeon Lake, to offer language experience and education through workshops, lectures and community projects, including the Sturgeon Lake Multifaceted Language Revitalization Project. The summer offerings often become family-orientated events. Children are cared for and learn in a play-based environment while adults take part in teacher-hosted opportunities.

The Council of the Federation Literacy Award was created to recognize outstanding achievement, innovation and excellence in literacy in each of Canada’s provinces and territories.

The Commissioner attended the award ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 25, to congratulate co-founder and assistant professor at the University of Victoria, Belinda Daniels, and nLe language teacher Randy Morin, assistant professor of Indigenous Studies at the University of Saskatchewan.

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner was heartbroken to hear of the passing of Senator Murray Sinclair, the Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission into residential schools.

A member of Peguis First Nation signatory to Treaty One, Sinclair was born in 1951, before Indigenous people had the right to vote, Sinclair grew to be a key figure in Indigenous advocacy as a judge of 28 years and a Canadian senator.

The 2015 final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission included the 94 Calls to Action, which are the foundation of reconciliation work in Canada today. Sinclair believed strongly in the role of education in this work

“Education is the key to reconciliation,” he said. “Education got us into this mess and education will get us out of it.

We extend our condolences to the family, friends, community, and the hundreds of thousands of lives Sinclair touched through his work. During this difficult time, our thoughts are with those who grieve his passing.

We can honour his life by continuing the work of his enduring legacy—advocating for and advancing truth and reconciliation.

The team at the Office of the Treaty Commissioner extends our deepest condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, and the people touched by the life and work of Gilbert Kewistep.

Originally from the Yellow Quill First Nation, the Elder, Knowledge Keeper, and Residential School Survivor made his home in Saskatoon where he was actively involved in community work with Elders, organizations, and students.

He believed in creating meaningful change through sharing the culture and history of Indigenous people in this province and country — and the effects of residential schools, reconciliation, and the sixties scoop. Kewistep engaged with the City of Saskatoon on several projects including the Chief Mistawasis Bridge Naming. He also supported the Saskatchewan Health Authority as a cultural advisor.

The OTC created a close relationship with Kewistep as he was actively involved in the creation of Reconciliation Circles in Saskatoon, Yellow Quill, and Prairie Rivers Reconciliation. He was a good friend and teacher to many on the OTC team, in particular to Rhett Sangster, director, reconciliation and community partnerships.

“He raised his pipe for us, shared his residential school story, and famously told us there could be ‘no more baby steps,’” Sangster said. “We are grateful for his love and support. He will be missed.”

We mourn the loss of Kewistep whose contributions touched the lives of many. During this difficult time, our thoughts are with those who are grieving as we honor his memory.

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner’s Treaty Learning Journey: Let’s Talk Truth Conference, held at the end of October, was a success.

More than 160 people filled the conference room at the Travelodge in Saskatoon for discussion and learning on Indigenous culture and worldview, life before Treaties, Treaty-making and the historical Numbered Treaties, the Spirit and Intent of Treaties, breaches of Treaty, and modern Indigenous issues.

“Everyone was excited to learn. There was a lot of active participation and questions, which kept the conversation flowing,” said Charmaine Gardiner, the OTC’s Treaty Learning Network Coordinator.

Like any difficult conversation and topic, there were laughter, tears, and hugs, as people heard about the lasting impacts of residential schools.

The sessions were led by Elaine Sutherland, OTC director of Treaty Education as well as members of the OTC Speaker’s Bureau: Lyndon Linklater and Sharon Meyer. The keynote speaker on the opening day of the conference was Dr. Kathy Walker, the new Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan.

To follow each session, we had Keep the Conversations Going discussions led by amazing facilitators which included Cort Dogniez, Angela Cousins, and Dale Worme. There were also facilitated groups on how to bring the learnings into a classroom setting targeted for educators.

Support staff was available throughout the conference, including Elders and the Yorkton Tribal Council mental health support workers.

During lunch each day, there was entertainment, including drummers led by TJ Warren, and the father-son duo the Boyer Boys fiddling, with participants jigging.

Many participants expressed their gratitude to the OTC team for the valuable learning opportunity and emphasized how important the storytelling was in making the information relatable.

In the days following the conference, a number of people have reached out to let the OTC know they are encouraging their management teams to host the Treaty Learning Journey: Let’s Talk Truth for their organizations, so all of their co-workers can gain the same knowledge and understanding.

Office of the Treaty Commissioner congratulates Montreal Lake Cree Nation for the launch of their Cree Language App.

MLCN recorded language keepers and created the app to assist in their language reclamation journey. The app features 46 categories with 1,150 words and phrases that the Language group has contributed to. Both the app and the materials on the website create a foundation to continue reclaiming language through documentation and creating resources that are user friendly.

MLCN has created language learning resources drawing from the language app to connect users to visual images, games and word finds that are posted on a Cree language website under the nihithawiwin (Woodland Cree) language tab.

Chief Ben was a respected leader, champion of culture and tradition, and believer in strong community and good governance. He has held leadership roles since the age of 23, first as a councillor for Makwa Sahgaiehcan Cree Nation, before becoming chief. He also served as the Tribal Chief of the Meadow Lake Tribal Council. He worked to find commonalities and used those to build relationships and move work forward.

He will be missed.

We send our condolences to the Chief’s family, friends, the people of Makwa Sahgaiehcan Cree Nation, the Meadow Lake Tribal Council, and the communities he served.

Our hearts are with them during this difficult time.

“We are excited to welcome the new Treaty Commissioner and look forward to her guidance and ideas as we move forward with Treaty education, continue to grow our archives ensuring the voices of Elders and Knowledge Keepers are heard, and guide others in Truth and Reconciliation through Treaty implementation,” said Angie Merasty, Executive Director of the Office of the Treaty Commissioner.

Dr. Walker started in the role Sept. 30, 2024, on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Dr. Walker is looking forward to supporting dialogue on Treaties, and looking to create greater understanding, action and implementation of the numbered Treaties in Saskatchewan.

Throughout her career, Dr. Walker has worked with Indigenous Nations and organizations in Saskatchewan and Alberta. Her research has been informed by community connections, and she is invested in program and policy development initiatives. She is nêhiyaw iskwêw with Saulteaux, Nakoda and Métis lineages and is a member of okimâw Okanese’s band, signatory to Treaty 4, where she grew up.

Dr. Walker holds a Master of Political Science, a Master of Business Administration, and PhD in Political Science. She comes to the OTC from the University of Saskatchewan where she was an assistant professor in political studies.

Dr. Walker is the sixth Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan, and the second woman to hold the role.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation/Orange Shirt Day on Sept 30 is the opportunity to recognize and commemorate the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools, while honouring the survivors, their families and communities. The day was established in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.

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

Commemorating Orange Shirt Day as a way to honour residential school survivors began after an event held in Williams Lake, BC, in 2013. It started with the words of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, a survivor who had her new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school. The movement has grown and become a time to raise awareness of the devastating impact of the residential school system on Indigenous people and their descendants.

“Orange Shirt Day is a very important and special day. It is the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. It is a chance for everyone to learn about the Residential Schools, remember all the children who never made it home and honour the survivors that did,” said OTC executive director Angie Merasty.

“My hope is that every single Canadian takes a moment to listen, to learn and to share what they have learned with others. Acknowledge the shared history, acknowledge that you cannot have reconciliation without the truth and lets all make sure that it doesn’t ever happen again.”

A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line was created to support for former students and those affected. Residential school survivors and their families can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.

What can you do leading up to and on Sept. 30 — the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation/ Orange Shirt Day?

Spend some time reflecting and recommitting to your personal reconciliation journey

Read the history of Orange Shirt Day

Register for events and learning opportunities hosted by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

Buy an orange shirt, ensuring you are supporting Indigenous artists and Residential School Survivors.

Attend a community event. Visit the OTC event calendar

Watch this 2020 video created by OTC  featuring messages from Elders William Morin and Shirley Wolfe Keller, and Speakers Bureau members Lyndon Linklater, Chante Spiiedel, and Joely BigEagle-Kequahtooway.

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner was honoured to attend the 150-year commemoration event of Treaty 4 and the week long activities leading up to September 15.

From Tuesday to Thursday, the OTC Treaty Education team facilitated programming with thousands of students, from across Treaty 4, including participants from as far away as Manitoba. Using the Treaty 4 Timeline created specifically for this event, the OTC ran jeopardy-style games to engage the youth in learning. There was also Treaty Education using the Treaty 4 replica medals.

“It was amazing. It was awesome. You instantly felt the significance of what we were there for,” said Charmaine Gardiner, the OTC’s Treaty Learning Network Coordinator.

On Sunday, the team participated in the official commemoration as Treaty 4 Chiefs reflected on the challenging past 150 years, and shared their visions for the future.

“It was amazing to be part of history,” said Elaine Sutherland, the OTC Director of Treaty Education.

Federal government representatives, RCMP members, and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe were also in attendance.

“There were many tough speeches that reminded all the government officials that were there from the province and the feds, about the spirit and intent of Treaty, this was not exactly a celebration, you heard the Chiefs and the Elders reminding everybody whose land this is and they (Gov and RCMP) had a lot more work to do,” OTC executive director, Angie Merasty, said.

“I guess what was celebrated was the fact that as First Nations People – we are still here.”

In addition to the large Treaty 4 Timeline display, the OTC worked in partnership with File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council to create and set up the Treaty 4 historical trail. This trail led people on a short walk through key milestones of Treaty 4 history. Also, at the Treaty 4 Gathering the OTC shared the trailer for the documentary Voices of Treaty 4, directed by Benji Noon and produced by Joni Brass with support from Heritage Canada. This trailer was premiered at the OTC Elders Gathering on Sept. 12.

Today, Saskatchewan’s Lieutenant Governor, the provincial government and the Office of the Treaty Commissioner unveiled additional new signs that, once installed, will mean every Treaty is acknowledged with an official highway sign in the province.

“It started with one pair of signs and now across Saskatchewan, people will be able to see when they are crossing a Treaty boundary,” Office of the Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan Executive Director Angie Merasty said.

“We are so pleased to have had the support of our Elders Treaty kihtehayah Atnedhe Council to ensure we are honouring Treaty from north to south. We hope that drivers on these highways use these reminders to further their own reconciliation journey.”

The four pairs of signs will be put up in the future along:

Highway 2 north of Prince Albert to mark the Treaty 6 / Treaty 6A Boundary.
Highway 102 / 905 southeast of Southend to mark the Treaty 6A / Treaty 10 Boundary.
Highway 55 east of Nipawin to mark the Treaty 5 / Treaty 6 Boundary.
Highway 955 north of La Loche to mark the Treaty 8 / Treaty 10 Boundary.

These signs will join others already along provincial highways.

Read more