More Treaty signs are coming to Saskatchewan in a move to see every Treaty being acknowledged with an official highway sign in the Land of Living Skies.
“I appreciate the Government of Saskatchewan and the Office of the Treaty Commissioner for working together to reach this major milestone,” says Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty. “These official highway signs will help to illustrate that we are all Treaty people.”
Lloydminster is in Treaty 6 and four pairs of signs will be put up to join others already on provincial highways:
- Highway 2 north of Prince Albert to mark the Treaty 6 / Treaty 6A Boundary
- Highway 102 / 905 southeast of Southend to mark the Treaty 6A / Treaty 10 Boundary
- Highway 55 east of Nipawin to mark the Treaty 5 / Treaty 6 Boundary
- Highway 955 north of La Loche to mark the Treaty 8 / Treaty 10 Boundary
“These additional signs contribute to greater Treaty awareness, which is important as we all move forward on our journey of reconciliation,” says Minister Responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs Don McMorris.
In 2022, inaugural signs were installed along Highway 11 near Bladworth between Saskatoon and Regina marking the Treaty 4 / Treaty 6 Boundary.
In 2023, additional signs were installed:
- Along Highway 39 near Estevan to mark the Treaty 2 / Treaty 4 Boundary
- Highway 1 near Moosomin also to mark another Treaty 2 / Treaty 4 Boundary
- Highway 16 near Lanigan to mark the Treaty 4 / Treaty 6 Boundary
Each of these signs incorporates:
- Indigenous languages specific to their locations
- The phrase that represents the spirit and intent of the Treaties, “as long as the sun shines, grass grows, and rivers flow.”
- The Treaty medals provided to First Nations following the Treaty negotiations
Treaties are formal agreements negotiated between the Crown and First Nations. The following numbered Treaties cover all of Saskatchewan: 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, and a significant adhesion, Treaty 6A.
To learn more about Treaties, visit the Office of the Treaty Commissioner’s webpage.
