A team comprising about 30 staff and students from the Lloydminster Public School Division (LPSD) will make history come alive when they paddle the route along the North Saskatchewan River to commemorate the 150th year of the signing of Treaty 6.
The treaty document with First Nations was signed at Fort Carlton on Aug. 23, 1876, and later at Fort Pitt, north of Lloydminster, on Sept. 9, 1876. The LPSD team will paddle the 348 km from May 27-Jun. 3, camping each night and having some fresh bodies from select schools joining the voyage each day.
Grade 8 E.S. Laird student, Allie Hillis says she wants to get hands-on learning about Treaty 6.
“I really want to take away the experience and learn some new stuff that I’ve not learned in the textbooks.”
The 14-year old who wants to pursue dentistry aims to build trust and bridges between communities.
Lloydminster Comprehensive High School and Avery Outreach School will launch the voyage from Fort Pitt, E.S. Laird Middle School will join for the middle leg, and Bishop Lloyd Middle School and College Park School will complete the final stretch to Fort Carlton.
E.S. Laird principal, Luke Maw is using his family’s canoe for the LPSD voyage. The water craft was built in B.C. He sees the importance of teamwork as they prepare for the eight day journey supported by LPSD staff member Sandy Chocan.
“When I think about reconciliation, it takes more than one individual. This is about a relationship – building a bridge between communities and between people. I’m really proud of the group we have put together to complete this trip,” says Maw.
Special commemorative paddles will also be used by the voyagers, who will be sending daily updates along with a video blog to schools to keep everyone updated on their progress.
Related reading: LPSD students to paddle North Saskatchewan River in Treaty 6 anniversary journey – May 13, 2026
