We Are All Treaty People
We Are All Treaty People
Dr. Kathy Walker (wiya*/she) is nêhiyaw iskwêw with Métis, Saulteaux and Nakota lineages and grew up on the Okanese First Nation in Treaty Four territory. She is a proud mother, auntie and kokum (great aunt) who has spent most of her professional life working in government, academia and for non-profits. A lifelong learner, she holds multiple degrees, including master’s degrees in business administration and political science, as well as a PhD in Political Science. Most recently, Dr. Walker worked in academia as an Assistant Professor in Political Studies at the University of Saskatchewan.
She is an OCAP certified researcher with the First Nations Information Governance Centre and her research and work is informed by her lived experience and commitment to advancing public education, policy and community development grounded in truth, reconciliation and the resurgence of Plains Indigenous governance, including Treaty understanding as recorded by First Nation oral traditions, histories and kisêyiniwak or ‘Elders.’
Dr. Walker also is currently working to learn nêhiyawêwin (the Plains Cree language).
*Cree third-person inclusive pronoun
Darrelyne Bickel is Cree, Ojibwe and Michif with roots in Opaskwayak Cree Nation, northern Saskatchewan, and the White Horse Plains of the Red River Settlement. Raised in The Pas and OCN in Manitoba, she now lives in Saskatchewan, where she is known as a writer, researcher, and advocate for Indigenous resurgence and good relations.
She holds a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Political Studies from the University of Saskatchewan and a Legal Administrative Assistant Diploma. Darrelyne has over a decade of experience in policy, legal research, Indigenous relations, and community engagement. Her work has supported many organizations in Saskatchewan and beyond, including Native Counselling Services of Alberta and the Senate of Canada. She has also taught and presented in academic, legal, and community settings.
Elaine Sutherland is a proud Willow Cree woman, from the Beardy’s & Okemasis First Nation in Treaty 6 territory.
She graduated from University of Saskatchewan – ITEP, and was a professional educator for 24 years before joining the OTC team. During that time, Elaine worked for First Nation Schools as well as urban non-First Nation schools across Saskatchewan. She whole-heartedly loved teaching and molding the future minds of tomorrow.
Elaine joined the OTC as the Director of Treaty Education in the spring of 2022 and loves everything about her role and all it entails. She is passionate about Treaty Education and wants to ensure all Treaty people have the opportunity to learn about their rights and obligations. She absolutely loves learning the oral history from Elders and knowledge keepers throughout the Treaty territories.
Elaine attributes her success to her parents and her two amazing sons. She lives in Saskatoon with her family, enjoys all kinds of puzzles, sewing, and spending time with the ones she loves.
Sheldon Krasowski was born in Treaty Six territory in Saskatoon and attended the University of Saskatchewan and received a BA with a major in Indigenous Studies from the University of Saskatchewan in 1995. In 1998 he received an MA in Indigenous Studies from Trent University and completed the thesis “A Numiany” The Prayer People and the Pagans of Walpole Island First Nation.” In 2011, he received a PhD in history from the University of Regina for the dissertation, “Mediating the Numbered Treaties: Eyewitness Accounts of the Numbered Treaties Between the Crown and Indigenous Peoples, 1871-1876.” This research became the basis for No Surrender: The Land Remains Indigenous which was published by the University of Regina Press in 2019 and includes a foreword by Dr. Winona Wheeler.
Dr. Krasowski has taught in both history and Indigenous Studies departments at First Nations University of Canada; Vancouver Island University; the University of Saskatchewan; Blue Quills First Nations College; the University of Calgary; and Athabasca University. He has completed research for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, the Metis Nation of Ontario, and is currently a co-investigator on a research project with the Montreal Lake Cree Nation on the Treaty 6 Adhesion of 1889. Sheldon began his research journey with the office of the Treaty Commissioner in 1998, and after a hiatus of almost 20 years is currently the director of research and archives at the Office of the Treaty Commissioner in Saskatoon.
Ursula Swindler joined the OTC in August 2021 as the Administrative Assistant and is now the Executive Assistant to the Treaty Commissioner and Speakers Bureau Coordinator.
She calls Sweetgrass First Nation her homeland, although she has spent the majority of her life living, working and raising her family in North Battleford. She brings with her a variety of experiences and skills ranging from Safety Officer in Heavy Construction, Lifeskills Coach to motivational speaker to managing the Capitol Theatre in North Battleford.
Ursula is also an advocate about increasing the awareness for mental health, LGBTQ2+ and suicide awareness especially in our Indigenous communities. This is something that her family has experienced firsthand being in Saskatoon has made it easier to access the help and tools needed.
She looks forward to meeting new people, learning more about the history of the Treaties and sharing what knowledge she has with others.
Dwayne "Benji" Noon is from Thunderchild First Nation in Treaty 6 Territory.
Benji is passionate about storytelling and filmmaking. Along with graduating from Saskatchewan Polytechnic in 2023 with distinction in the Media Production program, he won the Trudy Strewart prize from the Saskatchewan Filmpool Cooperative awarded to indigenous filmmakers. Benji was selected in 2022 as one of CBC's new indigenous voices which is for emerging Indigenous creators.
His other passion is mental health. Benji started his healing journey in late 2020 starting with therapy and the hard work of that has changed his life for the better.
“It's a lifelong commitment and I live everyday teaching and helping anyone who wants to start or needs help on their healing journey,” he said.
Benji’s support system keeps him going -- daughter Audrey and significant other Kristen, his chosen family and community.
