A Treaty Medal and Wild Romance on historic night
- EFN Staff | August 25, 2014
A brisk wind kept the Treaty 6 flag and the flags of four nations proudly flapping at Marquis Downs in Saskatoon on a special night at the races honouring the 138th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 6. The evening was sponsored by the Office of the Treaty Commissioner to raise awareness of the Treaties and they played gracious hosts. Burgers and hotdogs were on and the cool night air was filed with the welcoming music of Phil and Dallas Boyer and the magical tapping of the Northern Prairie Dancers.
Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation, Little Pine First Nation, Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and Mistawasis First Nation sponsored the last four races and presented horse blankets to each of the winners. Leaders from each community spoke before their respective races and talked about their visions of Treaty, hope and sharing.
"This is all about educating people. We are all Treaty and it is a matter of them understanding what treaty is to each individual," said Muskeg Lake Cree Nation Chief Cliff Tawpisin Jr. "The chance to share this and our community as to what Treaty means to us certainly is a great opportunity to educate. We all contribute to the greater society."
The evening was a big hit with regular race fans. Eugene Arcand was an entertaining master of ceremonies, the food was good and behind the glass the entire upper section was clapping along with the fiddle music being piped throughout the race track. Also catching eyes was the original Treaty Medal that was brought by Chief Darryl Watson of Mistawasis First Nation.
The community is in the process of repatriating the historic medal and Chief Watson showed it to anyone who asked. "Back 138 years ago when Chief Mistawasis started talking with the Government of Canada to look at a more positive future for our people that culminated in what we have today. The medal is a significant aspect of that relationship," said Chief Watson. "It is a bond created by the Crown and First Nations people and it is representative of what Treaty is all about."
The message Chief Watson spread was that we are all Treaty people and if we work together, the future can be good for everyone. Events like the Treaty Commissioners sponsorship of the races are all part of the relationship building and it is education for everyone that will lead us into the future.
"I'm definitely optimistic. Chief Mistawasis was an optimist. He believed in years ahead planning. He had the vision and foresight to look at what was going to happen hundreds of years down the road. And that is what Treaty is all about," added Chief Watson. "Education is a component of Treaty 6 and is our next buffalo. As our people concentrate on getting a good education and we have them come home with their educational values and helping us with our economic opportunities and education systems and health programs. Instead of being dependant, you look at more independence. Education is going to get us there as we progress down that path. It ties directly to Treaties."