Treaty 6 community commemorates 125 years

Page 6

It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

A private communion with the ancestors and the viewing of sacred bundles unopened for 125 years, a time for tears, reflection and giving of offerings by men, women and children from the Treaty 6 nations in Saskatchewan and Alberta.

It was a solemn occasion, in which the voices of the Elders and grandfathers were heard once again, speaking through ancient ceremony and ritual, what they had perceived the true meaning of the treaty to be. It was a day to share in the sacred pipe ceremonies with praying, honor and respect paid to the pipe stems used 125 years ago to seal an agreement between the newcomers and the original inhabitants of this land.

It was also the culmination of five days of intense discussion and presentations by members of the Treaty 6 nations, chiefs, Elders and representatives from provincial and federal governments. This occurred Sept. 5 through 9 at Onion Lake First Nation.

On Sept. 9, 125 years ago, historic Fort Pitt was the final site of negotiations between the Crown and members of the Treaty 6 nations. That is when the forefathers of the current Treaty 6 members committed to the Article of Treaty No. 6, which had already been signed near Fort Carlton on Aug. 23 and 28, 1876.

The sealing of an agreement in ancient times, explained host chief Henry Lewis to the large crowd, was done by prayers and pipe smoking.

Speaking in Cree, Lewis explained that the treaty commemoration was being held to allow people to gather together to remember the past, and remember their ancestors.

As he entered the lodge, he explained, his eyes filled with tears as he felt the pain and suffering of those ancestors, and felt more than ever that First Nations people must band together.

The gathering, he explained, was not a celebration, but a memorial. If all Treaty 6 Nations unite under one umbrella, he said, then perhaps the treaty will be something to be celebrated in the future.

The 125 years commemoration of the signing of Treaty 6 was part of a vision to educate First Nation people and other Canadians about the legacy and intent of the treaty and the need to pass this on to future generations, said Chief Lewis.

It was time to share lessons from the past, strengthen the bond among Treaty 6 members and ensure that the treaty remains "as long as the sun shines, the rivers flow and the grass grows."