Governance centre under construction

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With ceremonies old and new, leaders and Elders turned the first sod in the $6 million Treaty 4 Governance and Cultural Centre complex during Treaty 4 commemorations.

When completed sometime next year, the new facility chamber for Treaty 4 First Nations will house a First Nations' archives and keeping house, a cultural centre and office space for agencies such as the First Nations Veterans Association.

The facility - what one guest speaker called "the second legislative chamber for Saskatchewan" - is to be built on the site where chiefs of 13 bands signed Treaty 4 with representatives of the federal government in 1874.

"The construction of this centre is part of the larger development of the Treaty 4 reserve grounds, the site of the signing of Treaty 4, in 1874," said Ron Crowe, co-chair of the Treaty 4 chiefs.

When completed, the new building will house a legislative room where chiefs, at such gatherings as Treaty 4, will meet for discussions and passing of legislation.

Other facilities to be associated with the Governance Centre will provide educational cultural, recreational, social and tourism activities for both First Nations and non-Native people, Crowe added.

Francis Nepinak, a spiritual leader from the Pine Creek First Nation in Manitoba, was called on to provide his blessing for the project.

Nepinak also took small bags of soil from the ground where the centre will be built. The soil will be sent to the 34 bands who comprise Treaty 4, and when the facility officially opens, bands will bring soil from their home reserves to the new governance centre.

"This will balance the wheel of our lives," he said.

As chiefs, officials and Elders dug into the soil, Nepinak placed a small amount of tobacco in the soil as an offering.

Bosgoed Projects of Regina is the main contractor for the $6.5 million project.