New Treaty Commish Spells Out Objectives
Monday, July 30, 2007 at 15:35
Saskatchewan’s new treaty commissioner says he doesn’t see himself forming opinions on the treaties anytime soon.
Bill McKnight says he wants to sit down with First Nations and find out what the historical documents mean to them, and then examine them as they were originally signed.
The former Indian Affairs minister addressed a crowd at last week’s national treaty gathering in Fort Carlton, where he pledged to do his best to inform himself on the issue.
McKnight also says it will be important to look at treaties as they were originally signed.
However, McKnight adds it’s not for him to interpret the treaties – it’s up to him to implement the desires of Saskatchewan First Nations and the federal government.
He says his mandate will come from both Ottawa and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations.
McKnight believes if all sides can come together in exploring the meaning of the treaties going forward, all Canadians will benefit.
He says treaty implentation won’t work unless both sides have a common understanding.