Surprise for Treaty 8

Page 3

The Treaty 8 centennial commemoration gala raised more money than expected as the premier of Alberta, Ralph Klein, and several government ministers, presented a cheque for $800,000 to the Treaty 8 committee at their fundraising event at the provincial museum on April 20.

The provincial contribution to the Treaty 8 committee left the chairperson, Chief Richard Davis, honestly surprised and grateful, he said.

"That support allows us to schedule our events, and now we can go ahead with that planning confidently in our commitment that we would not allow a deficit to happen," said Davis.

The commemoration of the 100-year anniversary will include a re-enactment of the 1899 signing of Treaty 8 and will take place on June 17 to 21 with most of the events happening at Kapawe'no First Nation near Grouard.

The committee is busy preparing for the extravaganza, being promoted not only as the remembrance of the historic event, but as a way to educate the public on the treaties and the treaty process.

The planning for the commemoration did not take place over months, but years. In 1994, a strong commitment was made by First Nation members from Grouard to carry out the wishes of the Elders on the commemoration of the signing of Treaty 8, said Davis. In 1997, the committee received a mandate from the Treaty 8 First Nation Elders to move ahead with the commemoration.

The host of the April 20 gala evening was Tom Jackson, who is best known for his role in the North of 60 CBC series. Other prominent national Aboriginal leaders in attendance included Elijah Harper, newly appointed to the Indian Claims Commission, and Phil Fontaine, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

The evening was enhanced by Harold Cardinal's speech. Cardinal is the negotiator for the Treaty 8 bilateral process and best remembered for his work with the Alberta Indian Association in the 1970s.

Cardinal addressed a captivated audience about the meaning of the treaties.

"As we enter into the new millennium, we can see the legacy that our forefathers left us through the sacredness of our treaty relationships. . . the Elders believed this was an agreement to honor good relations with one another," he said.

Reverend Jesse Jackson, the American human rights leader, sent a letter expressing his regret at not being able to attend the gala, which was read during the presentations.

Organizers credited the committee for their hard work and focus over the last four years. Davis noted the corporate sponsors of the Treaty 8 commemoration, especially the Royal Bank and their representative Bill Bannister, as playing a major role.

The video presentation entitled Oti Nekan documented the history and the meaning of Treaty 8. Several Elders from the Treaty 8 area appear in the video and explain the meaning of the treaty in their own words.

"This is a new beginning in dispelling the ignorance of what took place during the time of the treaty signing," said Davis.