Community leaders, Elders, advocates, and residents from Treaty 4, 6, 7, and 8 territories will gather in Lloydminster later this month for the United in Treaty Conference. Organized by Inspire Group of Companies, the three-day event runs Nov. 23-25 at the Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition.
The conference will focus on treaty rights, health care, land and water stewardship, and the Crown’s obligations to First Nations. Organizers say the event is intended to create opportunities for learning, dialogue and relationship-building among Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants.
Pipe Ceremony – Nov. 23 (11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.)
Activities begin Monday, Nov. 23 with a pipe ceremony at 1:00 p.m. led by Elders representing multiple treaty territories, followed by community meals, cultural programming and a networking event with keynote speakers.
Elders from across the treaty territories include:
- Treaty 8 Head Elder Fred Campion – Driftpile Cree Nation, AB
- Treaty 6 Elder Clifford Cardinal – Saddle Lake Cree Nation, AB
- Treaty 4 Elder Howie Desnomie – Peepeekisis Cree Nation, SK
- M̩tis Elder Orest Zwozdesky РEdmonton
Grand Entry – Nov. 24 (7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
The formal opening takes place Tuesday, Nov. 24 with a Grand Entry at 8:45 a.m., led by the Fly-In-Eagle drum group from Little Pine First Nation, SK, Treaty 6.
Opening remarks include:
- Elder Fred Campion
- Karen McCarthy of Inspire Group of Companies – Whitefish Lake #128, Treaty 6
- Lloydminster Deputy Mayor Jim Taylor
- MLA Betty Nippi-Albright – Saskatoon Centre; Kinistin Saulteaux Nation, Treaty 4
150th anniversary of Treaty 6
A key theme throughout the conference will be the 150th anniversary of Treaty 6. Featured speaker Regena Crowchild will present “Treaty Promise at 150 Years,” examining the original promises of the treaty, their impacts today and what honouring those commitments means for future generations. Crowchild is from Tsuut’ina Nation, Treaty 7 and is listed to speak at 11:00 a.m.
Medicine Chest Clause
Health care will also be a major topic. Former Onion Lake Cree Nation, Treaty 6 Chief Wallace Fox will discuss the Treaty 6 Medicine Chest Clause and its connection to modern health-care rights from 1:00 p.m.
You may read more about the Treaty Right to Health using this link.
At 2:15 p.m., First Nations Health Ombudsperson Dr. Dianne Lafond (Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Treaty 6) will speak about advocating for First Nations people navigating the health system.
Day 2 – Nov. 25 – Duty ot Consult and NRTA (8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
The conference’s second full day will focus on consultation and resource rights.
At 9:00 a.m., Terri Quinney of Onion Lake Cree Nation will discuss the duty to consult process from a community perspective.
The Duty to Consult stems from the Honour of the Crown and Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, requiring governments to consult Indigenous groups when proposed actions could affect established or potential Aboriginal and treaty rights.
NRTA
At 10:45 a.m., former Treaty 6 Grand Chief Vernon Watchmaker will examine the long-term impacts of the Natural Resources Transfer Agreements (NRTA) on treaty rights.
Watchmaker will discuss the 1930 Natural Resources Transfer Agreements, which transferred control of natural resources and Crown lands to the Prairie provinces. The presentation will examine how those agreements continue to affect treaty rights, including hunting, fishing and trapping, and their impact on relationships between First Nations and governments.
At 2:30 p.m., Indigenous rights advocate Bryce Tippe from Kelwona will also address consultation and Indigenous rights. He will examine the duty to consult through the lens of public policy and advocacy, highlighting the role of awareness campaigns and online storytelling in supporting Indigenous rights.
Closing Ceremony – 3:30 p.m.
The conference will conclude with a closing ceremony featuring representatives from sponsor Northplex and Inspire Group. Door prizes and bingo games will be offered throughout the event.
More details on the full program are at this link.
The conference is open to the public, with registration available through the event website.
