Reconciliation In Action

As part of the national Tapestry of Pride project unveiled at the 2025 Canada Summer Games in Newfoundland, five Saskatchewan artists created a hooked rug and beadwork piece to honour the Treaties.

Artists Vanea Cyr (Cree), Margaret Harrison (Métis), Shirley Humphries, Jane Macleod, and Shelly Nicolle-Phillips contributed their talents to represent Treaty history and Saskatchewan’s rich cultural and natural landscape.

“Inspired by Treaty history and our love to create, we have collaborated and acted in reconciliation,” reads the news release shared by the artists.

Our rug features a beaded image of a Treaty medal surrounded with rounds of yellow, green and blue. These colours represent the spirit and intent that the Treaties last “as long as the sun shines, the grass grows and the rivers flow.
 

As in nature, the land extends beyond the map of Saskatchewan and is shown south to north through the seasons from spring flowers and grasslands; flowering summer crops of grains (ex. barley, oats, wheat), oil seeds (canola, flax) and pulses (lentils and peas); and autumn parkland forests to winter’s snow laden spruce on rock under northern lights. Depicted are the provincial emblems, prairie lilies and white birch trees, and slogan, Land of Living Skies. Prairie roses and the Métis infinity symbol are hooked near the Qu’Appelle Valley, an important site for exchange and treaty negotiations.
 

Today, more people understand the need to reconcile the impact of past actions and to honour our responsibilities to and with Indigenous peoples. We hope that in this art, you will see the power of collaboration and reconciliation as well as the diversity and natural beauty of our province. Saskatchewan motto: From many peoples, strength.

This piece is an act of reconciliation, education, and nation-to-nation respect. It also raises awareness about Saskatchewan’s historic numbered Treaties, Métis heritage, and the ongoing responsibility to honour these agreements.