WE ARE ALL TREATY PEOPLE
Education
Education is an important aspect of Treaty implementation and the Treaty relationship in Saskatchewan. Without a foundational understanding of the history of First Nations in the province and the Treaties it is very difficult to have reconciliation.
About
Office of the Treaty Commissioner
Office of the Treaty Commissioner
The mandate of the Office of the Treaty Commissioner (OTC for short) is to facilitate a bilateral process to discuss treaty and jurisdictional issues between Saskatchewan First Nations and the government of Canada, with the government of Saskatchewan present as an observer.
You can read more on the history of the OTC and about our mandate.
The OTC works to make sure the people of Saskatchewan have a good understanding of treaties, the treaty relationship and reconciliation, through the education system, livelihood training, offering a speakers bureau, holding events and sharing the stories of people’s call to action.
The Power of a Story
Reconciliation is about exploring the past and choosing to build a better future. Sharing stories of understanding helps one another to build trust. We want to hear about your moments of reconciliation.
Contact Us
History
The Office of the Treaty Commissioner (often called the OTC), started in 1989 by the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and the Government of Canada.
It was created to guide both parties through their differing view on Treaties, by giving recommendations for Treaty land entitlement and education.
Within the initial five-year mandate under the guidance of Commissioner Cliff Wright, the OTC played a vital role in the signing of the Treaty land entitlement agreements between 28 First Nations and the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan.
With the conclusion of the original OTC mandate in 1996, the FSIN and Canada renewed the OTC under a new mandate and commissioner. The Honourable Judge David M. Arnot was appointed Treaty Commissioner for a ten-year period starting in January 1997. During that time the phrase, “we are all treaty people,” was coined and treaty education was added to the Saskatchewan curriculum.
Beginning in the summer of 2007, the Honourable Bill McKnight became the Treaty Commissioner. He worked to advance the First Nations treaty right to livelihood — prosperity, economic self-sufficiency, and independence.
George E. Lafond became Treaty Commissioner in 2012. He has focused on reconciliation as a key theme for the work to build a common understanding of the treaty relationship.
Office of the Treaty Commissioner Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) download here
The mandate of the Office of the Treaty Commissioner (OTC for short) is to facilitate a bilateral process to discuss treaty and jurisdictional issues between Saskatchewan First Nations and the government of Canada, with the government of Saskatchewan present as an observer.
Contact
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Location
303-2555 Grasswood Road East, Treaty No.6 Territory
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7T 0K1 -
Phone
306-244-2100
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Fax
306-667-5654
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Email
receptionist@otc.ca