Treaty 6 commemoration time to reflect, regret and hope

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Historic Fort Carlton sits in a picturesque valley of unbroken green - a carpet of unsullied grass stretches away from its high log walls to the stands of majestic trees that encircle the vast clearing. Basking in the lush surroundings, feeling the blazing sun beating down from the crystal clear sky, and breathing the purifying air, it is easy to let one's mind drift back into a past that now exists only in memory and imagination.

In 1876, the clearing was host to dozens of Aboriginal chiefs and representatives, come to negotiate with the Queen's delegates over the rights of their peoples in the new and still-expanding country of Canada. Over the course of four days, these parties reached and signed an agreement known as Treaty 6, which specified the rights and obligations of both peoples, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, and provided a basis by which they might live and prosper in harmony. Like the land itself, it was an agreement as yet unbroken and unsullied.

On August 22, the clearing was again host to a vast number of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal visitors, come to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Treaty 6 signing and reflect on the legacy it created. As repeatedly expressed by the many dignitaries who addressed the crowd, it is a legacy dominated by broken and unfulfilled promises.

"This is not a celebration, but a commemoration," said Chief Perry Bellegarde of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN). "We cannot celebrate until the treaties are truly honored and fulfilled according to the spirit and intent of our Elders."

While provincial and federal government officials looked on, Bellegarde and his fellow First Nations leaders - including Chief Gary Littlepine of Beardy's and Okemasis, Chief Daryl Watson of Mistawasis, Chief Dwayne Paul of One Arrow and Chief Barry Ahenakew of Ahtahkakoop - detailed several ways that Treaty 6 stipulations have been ignored. The grievances included outstanding land claims, health care issues, a lack of investment in economic development, and above all else, the seeming unwillingness of the Canadian government to resolve such problems in good faith.

"Our Elders were compassionate and learned people," said Watson in a prime example of this shared sentiment. "They were learned in our laws and our language, our culture and our ways. They were not learned in the laws and language and ways of the dominant society. They were made to believe that the government would protect the interests of our people, and that opportunity would be available. Why then did it take my community, Mistawasis, 90 years to be compensated for 18,000 acres of our best farmland that was fraudulently sold to others? We do not want to celebrate 125 years of broken promises and oppression."

The strongest criticism was spoken by Assembly of First Nations National Chief Matthew Coon Come, who suggested that issues of treaty may need to be aired in front of international courts, since the Canadian judicial system has played as big a role as government in thwarting Aboriginal treaty claims.

"Canada wants to have it both ways - it wants the certainty that it claims to have obtained through our treaties regarding its purported sovereignty over our lands, but it disregards its obligations," he said. "Today I have to say that Canada's legacy of broken Aboriginal treaties is a legacy of shame. Canada has a choice - it can respect the principles of good faith or it can wait and argue its case before the international community."

Speaking last at the lengthy ceremony, government representatives responded to the many complaints and thinly veiled threats with placating words and assurances of change.

"The province recognizes the importance of establishing a respectful and mutually beneficial shared relationship between the province and First Nations," said Pat Lorje, Saskatchewan's Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. "We intend to work as quickly as we can to settle outstanding obligations."

"Ther is no doubt that the treaties were entered into with mutual respect, and that they were designed for mutual benefit. They are a part of the Constitution, and have to be honoured," echoed David Arnott, Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan.

These words hint at a more positive future, but First Nations people have heard such words before, and have been disappointed at least as many times. Still, all parties agree that the path to change lies in the future, not in the problem-filled past.

"I would suggest that we celebrate not the past, but the future," said Watson. "I would suggest that we begin today to create a future that will look nothing like the past 125 years."

"I continue to believe that treaty making and the treaty relationship are the best means available to establish a working relationship between the parties. I still believe that we can share the land and its resources fairly," said Coon Come. "We now call upon the government of Canada to honour our treaties."

Lewis among victors on Night of the Warriors

Ross Kimble, Sage Writer, Duck Lake

Professional boxing came to the Beardy's and Okemasis First Nation in Saskatchewan on Aug. 23, when the Sawridge Indian Band of Alberta joined with the host band to present the Night of the Warriors. Though the crowd at Beardy's Arena was sparse, those in attendance were treated to eight outstanding battles with combatants trading thunderous blows and proving themselves worthy of the warrior mantle.

The evening's main event was an eight-round light heavyweight match between Mike Lewars of Vancouver and Willard 'Red Thunder Rock' Lewis of Lac La Biche, Alta. Lewis, a Cree, was greeted with the loudest cheers of the evening, leaving no doubt as to who most had come to see, and proving that even after a lengthy absence from the boxing ring, the popularity of this former Canadian cruiser weight champion remains undiminished.

"I just kind of dropped off the scene. I took time off for work, and to have a family life," Lwis explained in a pre-fight interview. "Also, we took five hits in a row, five bad losses in a row, just from taking fights on short notice. We were off to Germany on a day's notice, Montreal on a day's notice. It was more or less at that time just for the money."

These losses dropped Lewis' once sparkling professional record to a still-respectable 16-5-1, and left him anxious for time away from the ring. After a period of evaluation, Lewis resumed training, and set his sights on a return to the top of the boxing world.

"I talked to the wife, and we want to give it a run. If the run is good, we'll hang in. If we hit some bad breaks, or a broken hand - I've had hand problems in the past-we'll see. If it's good, we hope to fight for the super middleweight championship of the world before Christmas. Hopefully, I can get a couple of good wins under my belt. If I take a loss, that'll be it. Everything from here on in has to be wins, and wins in convincing fashion, where I'm in control."

The Lewis/Lewars contest began slowly, the first round spent with each boxer feeling out his opponent. Lewis, though, came out hard in rounds two and three, stinging Lewars with quick jabs and hooks to the body, and staggering him with several hard shots to the head. The crowd sensed an imminent knockout, but an inexplicable change in Lewis' strategy gave Lewars a reprieve. In rounds four through eight, Lewis fought using only his left hand, while his right remained glued to his face in a defensive posture. In a testament to Lewis' skill, he still won the unanimous decision by a wide margin, but the question on everyone's mind was the reason for the one-handed attack.

"I broke my hand in the third round," Lewis explained on his way to the dressing room. "Otherwise, I think it could have been over sooner."

Lewis got the convincing victory he needed, but his injury, eerily mentioned only hours before, leaves his future once again up in the air.

The final match of the night pitted Clgary's Jason Naugler against Louis Flores, formerly of Mexico and now fighting out of Winnipeg, in a battle for the World Junior Boxing Federation middleweight championship. Ten extremely close rounds later, Naughler took the contest and the belt in a unanimous decision.