As all who live in this place now called Canada recognize the vibrant and diverse cultures, histories, and languages of First Nation, Inuit and Métis during National Indigenous History Month, I invite each of you to (re) familiarize yourself with the concept of Treaty, and to further your understanding of Treaty.
The 150th anniversary of the signing of Treaty No. 6 will be August 23, 2026. Communities are gathering to commemorate the longstanding commitments, promises and obligations. Treaty No. 6 is not a historic document; it is a living and protected document that defines the ongoing relationship between First Nations and the Crown (as represented by the Government of Canada).
The colonial concept of Treaty is the formal written agreement between First Nations and the Crown of Great Britain that was entered into on August 23, 1876, at Fort Carlton and on September 9, 1876, at Fort Pitt, with adhesions from 1877-1950. Provisions in Treaty No. 6 recognize the Medicine Chest Clause, Famine and Pestilence Clause, as well as the rights to Health, Education and other Treaty and Inherent Rights.
The concept of Treaty was not new to First Nations when they were invited to sign Treaties with the Crown. Treaties were viewed as spiritual covenants witnessed by the Creator. Treaties were oral promises of an ongoing relationship between Nations recognizing shared responsibilities. Treaties would be renewed regularly through ceremony.
The Office of the Treaty Commissioner in Saskatchewan says that “We are all Treaty People.” This phrase points to the two parties that signed the Treaty: First Nations and the Crown. The Crown represented all humans who were not First Nations. We, all humans who call Treaty No. 6 territory home, are included in the Treaty, and should come to know the text of the Treaty, to further understand individual and collective responsibilities.
I invite each of you, as a Treaty Person, to further your understanding of the concept of Treaties and about Treaty No. 6, in particular, by:
- Reading the text of Treaty No. 6 through the Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations in Alberta website
- Reading Talk Treaty to Me (2026) by Crystal Gail Fraser and Sara Komarnisky
- Watch videos available through the Office of the Treaty Commissioner website
- Reading We are all Treaty People: Prairie Essays (2008) by Roger Epp.
- Visiting the Government of Canada’s website.
- Participating in events that commemorate the 150th anniversary of the signing of Treaty No. 6, which will be scheduled throughout the next academic year.
Dr. Florence Glanfield
Vice-provost (Indigenous Programming & Research)