One hundred and fifty years after Treaty 6 was signed at Fort Carlton, First Nations leaders, dignitaries and community members gathered there to reflect on the treaty’s history and its continuing role in the relationship between First Nations and Canada. The four-day commemoration wrapped up Sunday, exactly 150 years after Indigenous leaders and the Crown signed Treaty 6 in 1876 —setting out the rights, benefits and responsibilities of both parties and establishing a framework for their ongoing relationship. “Treaty 6 is a living, enduring document. It speaks to the relationship between First Nations and Canada and guides that relationship,” said National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak of the Assembly of First Nations. For 89-year-old Mary Victorine Lafond, the anniversary brought back memories of another milestone. Lafond was at Fort Carlton 50 years ago for the 100th anniversary of Treaty 6. She returned Sunday with her daughter. “It’s very emotional, it’s quite heartbreaking but it’s also empowering,” her daughter, Dianne Lafond, told media. Dianne Lafond is the First Nations health ombudsperson. She said First Nations continue to advocate for their treaty rights and that more needs to be done to improve health care for Indigenous communities. “We need a health-care system that is going to acknowledge our traditional health and our traditional medicines,” she said. The role of governments under Treaty 6 was also a focus of the commemoration. Earlier this year, seven chiefs representing Treaty 6 First Nations travelled to Buckingham Palace to meet King Charles III and personally invite him to attend the 150th anniversary commemorations at Fort Carlton. The King did not attend the commemorations, but Gov. Gen. Louise Arbour was there to represent the Crown. Addressing the crowd, Arbour said promises made at the time of the treaty need to be upheld today, especially in a time of uncertainty. “More than ever, our collective well-being depends on the trust that we place on one another. Today marks our commitment to keeping that trust alive,” she said. Premier Scott Moe said the province has a number of responsibilities under the treaty and that upholding the relationship also involves all levels of government and individuals. He said it means “really value and act on the spirit of the treaty in each and every day and everything we do. Act on that intent to come together and to make tomorrow better for everyone.” Moe pointed to the province’s steps to implement treaty education in the K-12 system and add treaty boundary signs along provincial highways. He also mentioned the province’s commitment to economic reconciliation. “Admittedly, more work to do, but I think there is an example that can be emulated across our nation,” he told reporters Sunday. The anniversary is also being marked with a new monument at Fort Carlton. Moe along with Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation Chief Edwin Ananas unveiled a rendering of a 50-foot-tall steel tipi that is being installed at the historic site. Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation is leading the creation and installation of the monument on behalf of Treaty 6 First Nations, with the province contributing $140,000. The monument is intended to serve as a lasting reminder of responsibilities shared under Treaty 6. “It’s very important to have a monument. It’s something that’s going to be there for a long time for our future generations to see,” said Chief Joyce McLeod of Montreal Lake Cree Nation. The Fort Carlton commemorations have now wrapped up, but Treaty 6 events continue next month at Fort Pitt, another site where the treaty was negotiated and signed.
