August 17, 2018
Representatives from the Government of Canada, Province of Alberta, City of Edmonton and Chiefs from the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations joined together at Edmonton City Hall to commemorate the historic signing of Treaty No. 6.
“Today’s event is a great showcase of the dedication and commitment that all parties have to honouring the original spirit of Treaty No. 6,” said Mayor Don Iveson. “It’s a pleasure to be joined by our Treaty No. 6 First Nations partners to recognize the great history and culture of this land, and work together so that we may continue to flourish on Treaty No. 6 territory.”
This event acknowledges the historic signing of Treaty No. 6 between the Plains and Wood Cree people and the Crown on August 23, 1879 and also commemorates the signing of Treaty No. 6 by Cree, Saulteaux and Nakota Sioux Chiefs at Edmonton, on August 21, 1877.
The Treaty No. 6 flag was ceremoniously raised at the City’s Community Flag Pole (north of City Hall) where it will fly for the next week. The flag is also permanently displayed inside City Hall as a lasting acknowledgement that Edmonton is on Treaty No. 6 territory. The City of Edmonton began celebrating Treaty No. 6 Recognition Day in 2013.
The event included a monument presentation, dancing and drumming provided by the River Cree Drum Group and ceremonial gift exchanges between the Government of Canada, Province of Alberta, City of Edmonton and the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations.
The art pieces exchanged as gift were the winning entries from the annual Treaty No. 6 Recognition Day Art Contest. “Peace & Happiness” by Aurora & Sacia-Priya Muskego of Cold Lake First Nations was the winner under the Youth category, and “Namwayut” by Tia Attfield of Lac La Biche in the Adult category. This year’s theme was “...as long as the sun shines, the waters flow, and the grass grows...”
