LAKELAND – Treaty No. 6 was signed on Aug. 23, 1876 in Fort Carlton, Sask., and Sept. 9, 1876 in Fort Pitt, Sask. between the Crown and several First Nations. On Aug. 21, 1877, Chiefs from many other First Nations entered the treaty through adhesion in Fort Edmonton IV, presently known as the Alberta Legislative Grounds.
One hundred forty-five years later, on Aug. 21, 2022, a monument created in collaboration between the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, the City of Edmonton, and the Government of Alberta, was unveiled on the same place to commemorate the signing of Treaty No. 6.
“I really believe this unveiling is an opportunity for us to respectfully acknowledge that Alberta and the City of Edmonton are recognizing Treaty and the significance of Treaty,” said Grand Chief George Arcand Jr., Grand Chief of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations and Chief of Alexander First Nation, during the unveiling ceremony.
“We have not yet had the official public recognition by the Government of Alberta until now. The Government of Alberta provided to recognize Treaty Six adhesion, in my view, a very historic moment for all of us,” said the Grand Chief. “This is an important part of our collective history, and this formal recognition will help us to further even more discussions with the federal and provincial governments to acknowledge our history and agreements.”
According to Arcand Jr., it is important to understand that many other First Nations entered the Treaty until 1950. He said, “They did this in hopes of being able to share our great lands and resources and live in harmony with the settlers.”
Arcand Jr. also said that several of the nations who signed Treaty No. 6 were “forcefully abandoned, surrendered, or enfranchised by the very governments that created Treaty.” For instance, after many members of the Sharphead Band were killed by starvation and illness, the government considered them abandoned, he said.
The Michel First Nation, among those who signed the adhesion, was also the only group in Canada to be forcefully mass enfranchised, according to Arcand Jr. “Ancestors of these nations people are still alive today and we hope that this recognition of Treaty Six can be meaningful to them today as well in the hopes that their nations will get the recognition and the respect they deserved,” he said.
Salma Lakhani, Alberta’s Lieutenant Governor said, “Treaty relationships are an essential part of the Crown in Canada, and they are something I am proud to honour in my role as the Queen’s representative.”
“It is important to note that every person who makes their home on this land that we share becomes part of a fundamental treaty relationship that is an ongoing living agreement between peoples,” said Lakhani. “We are all partners in caring for the land, in caring for one another, and in working together through the essential process of truth and reconciliation.”
Minister of Alberta Indigenous Affairs, Rick Wilson, said the signing of Treaty Six is central to “our shared history in this place we call Alberta.” Acknowledging Treaty No. Six is also crucial in people moving forward as partners in reconciliation, according to Wilson. “Treaties are the bedrock of relationships between First Nations and the rest of Canada,” he said.
Wilson said learning about the past and how it affects the present is important to toward build a better future. The newly created monument is an opportunity for Albertans to learn and reflect on the signing of Treaty Six, its significance, and understand the true meaning of reconciliation, according to Wilson.
In addition to Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations members, representatives from the provincial and federal governments were also present in the unveiling ceremony.
The monument was sculpted by artist Herman Poulin, from St. Paul.
“I want to thank the Confederacy [of Treaty Six First Nations] for believing in me to do a visual representation of what this is all about,” said Poulin. “Thank you for allowing me to walk with you, I’ve learned so – so much. Thank you,” he said.
Don Begg from Cochrane, Alta., was the one who casted the monument.
According to the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, the project was originally planned in 2001, but it wasn’t until 2016 that Indigenous groups and the three branches of governments in Canada collaborated to make it a reality.
The monument took about four years to complete.
