Treaty 8 marks territory

Chiefs present for the unveiling of the Treaty 8 sign in Whitecourt were Grand Chief of Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta and Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Richard Kappo, Chief Romeo Cardinal from Bigstone Cree, Chief Arthur Noskey from Loon River Cree, Chief Jim Badger from Sucker Creek, Chief Rose Laboucan from Driftpile Cree  and Chief Rupert Meneen from Tallcree.

The Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta are putting up signs on the borders of their territory. The first sign to mark the Treaty 8 territory was raised on the southwest boundary near Whitecourt. By marking the boundaries, the First Nations also assert their existence, said Grand Chief of Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta Richard Kappo, in a news release. “It seems that industry and governments think they can just ignore and forget that we still exist in these lands and that we continue to engage in the ways of life that sustained our ancestors – hunting, trapping, fishing, gathering. These are not only ways of life but expressions of who we still are as the Cree, Dene, Beaver and Chipewyan people of this area.” Eight signs will be erected along the highway at all entry/exit points within the province’s boundaries that fall within Treaty 8 territory.