Photo: Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation students assumed the roles of people involved in the Treaty-making process.
By: Nicole Goldsworthy,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
SASKTODAY.ca
Grade 7 students from Sturgeon Lake Central School took part in a Treaty 6 reenactment during Sturgeon Lake First Nation’s annual fall cultural camp, marking 150 years since the Treaty-making process began in 1876.
The reenactment was part of the Sept. 13 to 16 camp, which brought students, Elders and other community members together for cultural activities, ceremony and land-based learning.
About 160 people attended the reenactment, according to Sturgeon Lake First Nation.
Students recreated elements of the historic Treaty-making process they had been studying, including a pipe ceremony, discussions involving First Nations leaders and Crown representatives and the marking of the Treaty.
Treaty 6 was first entered into between First Nations and the Crown at Fort Carlton on Aug. 23, 1876. Further Treaty-making took place at Chief Kamiscowesit’s campsite, also known as Beardy’s campsite, on Aug. 28 and at Fort Pitt on Sept. 9.
During the Sturgeon Lake reenactment, students assumed the roles of people involved in the Treaty-making process and considered the decisions and discussions that took place 150 years ago.
Chief Christine Longjohn participated in the reenactment in the role of a grandmother and mother, watching as students portraying First Nations leaders negotiated with students representing the Crown.
Longjohn said the exercise prompted her to think about the people involved in the original Treaty-making process and the decisions they were making for future generations.
“Having our students do that reenactment was very powerful today,” Longjohn said.
Saskatchewan Treaty Commissioner Dr. Kathy Walker was invited to witness and participate in the reenactment.
Walker said the exercise offered students an opportunity to learn about Treaty-making through an experiential, land-based activity.
“I think it really shows how strong Sturgeon Lake is when it comes to teaching their young people about Treaty,” Walker said.
“To do it in a way that’s out on the land, that is experiential, where they can actually be in the shoes of the different people that helped make Treaty, is a very effective way of bringing that history home to their young people and also bringing it alive.”
Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation students considered the decisions and discussions that took place 150 years ago.