News

The Office of the Treaty Commission was pleased to be able to host a Treaty Learning Journey: Let’s Talk Truth at Star Blanket Cree Nation on July 30 and 31.

It was held in the old Lebret Residential School gym and brought together the community — kihtehayak and youth. Bringing them together was important for the community, to learn together and to ensure the next generation has information on Treaties.

The OTC team was thrilled to learn that the community is using the training as a starting point to continue to bring the two groups together to continue to share and pass knowledge down.

There were children as young as six, teens, and there were two entire familes who attended.

“It was really wonderful to work with with the people from Star Blanket First Nation,” said Elaine Sutherland, the OTC director of Treaty Education. “We’ve heard that they want this training to be an inspiration for other communities to follow – bringing everyone together to learn and share knowledge.”

Congratulations to all 2024 graduates on your achievements.

Your hard work, determination, and resilience have brought you to this milestone, marking the culmination of years of dedication and perseverance.

Your education is a powerful tool that can pave the way for positive change in your communities and beyond. Whether you are pursuing further studies, beginning work, or exploring new opportunities, your perspectives and experiences will enrich society.

As you reflect on your success, take pride in how far you have come and look forward with excitement and determination.

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner extends our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes for your continued success in the future. Well done!

For generations, many Indigenous communities have celebrated their culture on the summer solstice, June 21. National Indigenous Peoples Day supports this tradition.

On this National Indigenous Peoples Day, the Office of the Treaty Commissioner encourages people to listen, learn, show up, and engage with Indigenous cultures across Turtle Island.

It is the perfect day to start (or continue) a reconciliation journey, by furthering your knowledge of the true history of Indigenous people in Canada, their culture and continued contributions. The best way to do this is hearing First Nations, Métis, and Inuit voices.  Read a book, watch a film, or listen to music created by Indigenous people.

Since the last National Indigenous Peoples Day, the OTC has seen the continued and increasing interest from the public in engaging more fully in the Treaty relationship. The OTC speakers’ bureau works hard to keep up with the growing demand.

More and more organizations are going through the facilitated process with the OTC to use the Truth and Reconciliation through Treaty Implementation (TRTI) Growth Model to map efforts and create specific recommendations for action on reconciliation.

These success stories are magnified by more government, businesses, First Nations, and community groups making long-standing strategic relationships with the OTC, our Elders and knowledge keepers, and truly looking to learn and grow what they know. The OTC is pleased to be able to support Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities with the information they need.

National Indigenous Peoples Day is a day to celebrate successes, embrace resilience, and commit to protecting Indigenous languages, cultures, and heritage in the years to come.

June is a time for honouring the diversity in our communities as we celebrate Indigenous History Month and Pride Month.

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner loves to see the beauty and kindness that is celebrated this month. It is important to recognize the intersections of these movements and uplift the communities of Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ people.

The Two-Spirit identity has long been part of Indigenous culture and history. The term Two-Spirit is a modern phrase used to describe a person with both masculine and feminine spirits. They are able to see life through the eyes of both genders and often hold important roles in their communities.

The OTC encourages people to learn more about Two-Spirit identities. By being an ally and learning more we increase our understanding of gender diversity and challenge societal norms.

We need to come together as a community, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to create an environment of love, respect, and inclusivity, where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

Celebrating both Indigenous History Month and Pride means we stand together against hatred, challenge discrimination, and stop prejudice and intolerance.

How can you get involved?

• Uplift Indigenous and 2SLGBTQ+ voices by supporting Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ projects/platforms
• Donate to Indigenous-owned organizations
• Donate to organizations that support resources for 2SLGBTQ+ youth
• Celebrate Indigenous and 2SLGBTQ+ voices every month, not just in June
• Learn and share what you learn

Here are some resources to get you started
Read:
The history of two spirit folks
Two-Spirit activists, community leaders and content creators
A Place in the circle: Understanding and Support Two-Spirit People
Out Saskatoon’s Allies and Solidarity

Watch:
What does Two Spirit mean?
Trans And Native: Meet The Indigenous Doctor Giving Them Hope

June is National Indigenous History month, an opportunity to learn and celebrate the cultures, traditions, and histories of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in Canada.

Designated by the House of Commons in 2009, National Indigenous History month creates space to honour the stories, achievements, and resilience of Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous people have lived on this land since time immemorial and Indigenous contributions continue to shape Canada today.

For 2024 the Government of Canada is highlighting themes and specific aspects of Indigenous history, cultures and perspectives:
June 1 to 9: Environment, traditional knowledge and territory
June 10 to 16: Children and youth
June 17 to 23: Languages, cultures and arts
June 24 to 30: Women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner encourages people to use National Indigenous History month to start (or continue) their reconciliation journey by furthering their knowledge. The best way to do this is hearing First Nations, Inuit, and Métis voices.

Read a book, watch a film, or listen to music created by Indigenous people.

Don’t know where to start? Try these
Office of the Treaty Commissioner Resource Page and Recommended Reads
Be A ConnectR (a project by Reconciliation Saskatoon)
2024 National Indigenous History Month: A thematic Learning Series (from the Halifax Public Libraries)
National Indigenous History Month In Canada (Government of Canada)
TRC Final report and Calls to Action (National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Commission)
Reclaiming Power and Place and additional publications (National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls)

While on your learning journey, please take care of your mental health. These resources contain topics that may be distressing to some readers. If you need help, please note there are Indigenous mental health services available.

The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line provides 24-hour crisis support to former Indian Residential School students and their families toll-free at 1-866-925-4419.

Individuals impacted by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls can contact the MMIWG Crisis Line toll-free at 1-844-413-6649.

First Nations, Inuit and Métis seeking immediate emotional support can contact the Hope for Wellness Help Line toll-free at 1-855-242-3310, or by online chat at hopeforwellness.ca.

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner is constantly growing knowledge and working to advance our library and archives.

The Owning History: Indigenous Histories and Records Access Conference in Winnipeg in April allows us to continue to do this.

“I asked many questions throughout the conference to help guide me through some of the obstacles that we face in our own archive,” said Eli Worme, a member of the OTC archives team. He added that the positive responses he received “informed me that what we do at our office is relevant and important.”

Kimberly Murray the Independent Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves and Burial Sites associated with Indian Residential Schools (IRS) was the event’s key note speaker.

“She gave a fantastic and emotional key note,” Worme said.

She spoke about the importance of records in relation to locating missing and disappeared children from Indian Residential schools. Also, she talked about the importance of ensuring people cross Canada hear the true history and become informed.

Murray spoke to the importance of allowing Indigenous peoples to access records about their disappeared family at IRS and Indian Hospitals. If they cannot access these vital records it becomes a continuation of the forced disappearance of people and children, she said.

There was a session on work being done to record and preserve the history of the pass system and some findings about government correspondence regarding archival document destruction.

Some presenters shared on how they navigated the obstacles of mislabeled or “lost” documents. They advocated for the importance of proper storage of information on Indigenous People and of providing context and accurate information on historically harmful records.

Researchers talked about the importance of self-care when doing research and archival work, but also how this work can be therapeutic when finding the truth about family history, wrongs that were committed, and why inter-generational trauma is present in communities today.

There was also conversation about the importance of creating a living policy agreement in relation to accessing archival materials. These agreements respect the needs and privacy of all community members and making it an easy process for give or remove materials.

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner understands there is a lot of confusion and questions around the Treaty Agricultural benefits, so we put together this Q&A to help navigate it.

What are the Treaty Agricultural benefits?
The Treaty Agricultural benefits are benefits that were promised to First Nations peoples when Treaties were negotiated.

However, historical records and other available evidence suggest the Government of Canada rarely completely fulfilled its agricultural benefits obligations under Treaty. This significantly limited the ability of First Nations to grow and develop their economies.

The Treaty Agriculture Benefits specific claims being discussed now are about Canada finally honouring their legal obligations to First Nations and working collaboratively to renew relationships in order to address historical wrongs and try to advance reconciliation.
What is ‘Cows and Plows’?
Cows and Plows is a slang term people have used to refer to the Treaty Agricultural benefits. Former Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan Mary Musqua-Culbertson said the slang term should be avoided as it undermines the importance of upholding Treaty rights, because it was more than just a cow or a plow.

The Treaty Agriculture benefit was intended for people to be able to participate in the economy of the day, which was farming. It would allow for land to be allocated and the provision of what a farmer needs to farm including seeds and equpment.

What is the claim?
The Treaty Agricultural benefits are considered specific claims.

Specific claims deal with past wrongs against First Nations. These claims (made by First Nations against the Government of Canada) relate to the administration of land and other First Nation assets and to the fulfilment of historic Treaties and other agreements.

Specific claims are separate and distinct from comprehensive land claims or modern treaties.

More information on Specific Claims from Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada here

How can I apply for the Treaty Agricultural Benefit?
Only a First Nation, not an individual, can submit an agricultural benefits claim.

To find out if your First Nation has submitted a claim, you can use the Specific Claims Reporting Centre.

Once a claim is settled the First Nation receives the settlement funds.
What is the process?
A First Nation submits a Band Council Resolution asking to start a claim for Agricultural Benefits under the numbered Treaties to the Specific Claims Branch. The First Nation can choose to provide its own historical research or rely on the research CIRNAC is doing.

Following the initial receipt and review of the claim, a submission from the First Nation may be required. If the claim is accepted for negotiation, the First Nation will receive an offer to negotiate.

What is the role of chief and council?
The ultimate role for the First Nation is to ensure they are keeping their people informed on the process and ensure that people are getting the information they need to make their decisions.
If I vote for the Treaty Agricultural Benefits, does this mean I lose my Treaty rights?
No, you will not lose your Treaty rights. The Treaty Agricultural benefits process is about ensuring historical Treaty promises are fulfilled as part of the ongoing Treaty relationship.

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner is asking for individuals, organizations, schools, and communities to get involved with Treaty Recognition Week, running May 20-26. We encourage you to know more about the history of Treaties in Saskatchewan and Canada.

The first annual event was created last year as an important way to advance and celebrate the Treaty Relationship, a key component of reconciliation.

Treaties were created to ensure the peaceful relations and continued livelihood of both parties – the Indigenous people and non Indigenous people.  Treaties are the foundational building blocks of Canada.  Each nation had a responsibility to uphold the terms of Treaty.  Upon agreement, the Indigenous Chiefs/Leaders assumed their way of life would be protected, but this all changed with the Government’s implementation of the Indian Act.

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner is asking for individuals, organizations, schools, and communities to get involved with Treaty Recognition Week.

We have resources to walk you through Treaty timeline: Before Treaty; At Treaty; After Treaty; and Today.

Before Treaty
We have resources for students in:
Primary Grades
Virtual Tipi building
The word Indigenous — explained l CBC Kids News grades k-4

Middle Grades
Grandfather Teachings – Video Series

Secondary Grades
7 Sacred Teaching; eagle feather & tobacco protocol

and the General Public
Indigenous Worldviews vs Western Worldviews

At Treaty
We have resources for students in:
Primary Grades
Alex Shares His Wampum Belt
We Are All Treaty People

Middle Grades
Treaty Relationships – A Reading

Secondary Grades
The OTC Treaty Video – A Solemn Undertaking

and the General Public
Treaties with Indigenous Peoples in Canada, Explained

After Treaty
We have resources for students in:
Primary Grades
Phyllis’s Orange Shirt

Middle Grades
My Suitcase by Nii Sookayasas
Stolen Words by Melanie Florence

Secondary Grades
Indian Act video
Phyllis Webstad – On Orange Shirt Day

and the General Public
Murray Sinclair’s response to “Why don’t people just get over it?”

And Today
We have resources for students in:
Primary Grades
The UNDRIP explained – Animated

Middle Grades
What is Reconciliation?

Secondary Grades
Our Rights: Indigenous Youth on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

and the General Public
Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action, six years later
How UNDRIP Changes Canada’s Relationship with Indigenous Peoples

May 5th isRed Dress Day, a day to remember and honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People.

In 2010, Métis artist Jaime Black created the REDress Project and this has become a movement with people across Canada using the Red Dress as a ways to bring awareness to the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People and be in solidarity with the loves ones left behind.

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner calls on people to join thousands of others across Canada in wearing red. Wearing red acknowledges those who have gone missing or have suffered a violent death are still in the hearts of people who knew them.

The OTC also asks that people use the day (and beyond) to further their learning. Read the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ final report, which showed that human and Indigenous rights abuses are the root causes behind Canada’s rate of violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people. Take time to become familiar with the Calls to Justice from the inquiry. Work to make workplaces, organizations, and lives, safer for all Indigenous Peoples.

Attending an event in honour of Red Dress Day can be a good place to start, the OTC is hosting a free online educational event on May 3.

Resources to support your learning
Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

Their Voices Will Guide Us, an educational and outreach initiative of the National Inquiry

Amnesty International’s Activism Guide for Red Dress Day 2024: Take Action

Red Dresses on Bare Trees: Stories and Reflections on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

The Highway is music video and song by N’we Jinan artists about the cases of missing and murdered Indigenous people along the highway of tears

March 21 is a day to recommit to making change and to working towards the elimination of all forms of racism. Marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is a chance to look at the gaps in the implementation of a shared commitment to make the future better.

In Canada, like many places in the world, we see that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance continue to be a cause of conflict. There has been a rocky relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada. Issues surrounding the failure of full Treaty implementation, limiting of land rights, socio-economic impacts, stereotyping, and mistrust have led to a place where we see messages of hate spread online, violence in front of us and to us, along with the existing, and systematic discrimination.

On the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Office of the Treaty Commissioner invites individuals to join us by investing in true Reconciliation and relationship building, while having zero tolerance for any form of discrimination.

Education is a powerful tool in dismantling prejudice and fostering understanding. By equipping individuals with the knowledge of historical injustices and the spirit and intent of Treaty, we empower people to be a part of reconciliation.

So, learn more, book a speaker for your event, or attend an event hosted by others.

It is important for each of us to amplify marginalized voices, challenge discriminatory practices, and advocate for system changes. By standing in solidarity against racism, discrimination, and xenophobia, we uphold the rights of every individual and pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future.

We believe that if we can come together on a common vision for success, that we can better work together, and create a better future for our children and grandchildren. One where everyone is equal and not judged on how they look, what their last name is, or where they are from.