Manitoba marks 150th anniversary of the signing of Treaty No. 1
Tuesday, Aug. 3 marks the 150th anniversary of the signing of Treaty No. 1 – the first of the numbered treaties signed across Western Canada.
Treaty No. 1 was signed at Lower Fort Garry, southeast of Selkirk, Man., on Aug. 3, 1871. The signatories included representatives from the Crown, Anishinabe, and Swampy Cree.
About 1,000 Indigenous men, women, and children from around Manitoba attended the eight-day negotiation process for Treaty No. 1, which was the first in a series of 11 treaties made between 1871 and 1921.
Treaty One Nation is made up of the following seven First Nations: Brokenhead Ojibway First Nation; Long Plain First Nation; Peguis First Nation; Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation; Sagkeeng First Nation; Sandy Bay First Nation; and Swan Lake First Nation.
Treaty One territory stretches from north of Gimli, Man., to the United States border. It also runs from east of Brandon, Man., to Whiteshell Provincial Park. Cities within Treaty One territory include Winnipeg, Brandon, Portage la Prairie, Selkirk, Steinbach, Lundar, Grand Beach, Emerson and Winkler.
In a statement, Alan Lagimodiere, Manitoba’s Indigenous reconciliation and northern relations minister, said the 150th anniversary of the signing of Treaty No. 1 comes at a challenging time.
“Our hearts go out to the thousands of children whose lives were lost at residential schools, and to survivors who were often neglected or abused,” the statement said.
“Residential schools had a profound intergenerational impact on these children, their families and their communities. The horrific legacy of residential schools is deeply felt here in Manitoba and across our country following the discovery of unmarked graves on the grounds of former residential school sites across Canada. “
Lagimodiere noted that Manitoba is committed to supporting Indigenous-led investigations into residential school sites.
COMMEMORATIVE EVENT
On Tuesday, representatives from the Treaty One Nation, the Government of Canada and the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba marked the anniversary at the Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site.
The commemorative event included a drum song by the Spirit Sand Singers, an Honour Ride into the Lower Fort Garry site, speeches, and a presentation of the newly minted treaty medals to each Treaty One First Nation.
Chief Dennis Meeches, a spokesperson for Treaty One Nation, said in a news release that it is important to remember that treaties are living documents between First Nations and the Crown.
“Taking this time to honour our Chiefs and leadership for their courage and insight in the negotiations of these agreements is empowering for our people and especially our youth,” he said.
“First Nations people more than fulfilled our commitment to live and work together with newcomers, and we look forward to resetting the relationship with the Government of Canada going forward.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.