An Indigenous leader in Alberta urged the provincial government to show more respect following the absence of the Indigenous relations minister at a significant event marking the 150th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 6. Joey Pete, the grand chief of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, expressed disappointment in the lack of representation from Premier Danielle Smith’s administration, emphasizing the importance of genuine reconciliation through active engagement and acknowledgment of treaties.
The commemorative event, hosted by the City of Edmonton and Mayor Andrew Knack, featured Indigenous leaders and elders participating in traditional ceremonies, drumming, dancing, and the hoisting of the Treaty 6 flag. Various government officials, including federal Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski, Conservative member of Parliament Billy Morin, Alberta NDP Indigenous relations critic Brooks Arcand-Paul, and the mayor, delivered speeches and exchanged gifts. Alberta Lt.-Gov. Salma Lakhani reaffirmed the Crown’s commitment to the treaty in her address.
Amid concerns raised by Indigenous leaders, Alberta’s Indigenous Relations Minister Rajan Sawhney’s office clarified her absence during the event, citing commitments elsewhere while emphasizing the government’s dedication to nurturing strong relationships with Treaty 6 First Nations. The minister’s press secretary underscored the significance of the 150th anniversary and ongoing engagement with Indigenous communities.
Despite ongoing communication efforts, some Indigenous leaders, like Joey Pete, remain dissatisfied with the lack of meaningful dialogue on critical issues such as reconciliation, revenue sharing, and equity. Concerns over the provincial government’s focus on pipelines and the looming referendum on separation have strained the treaty relationship, with calls for more inclusive engagement from elected officials to honor commitments to Indigenous communities in Treaty 6.
The event in Edmonton marked the beginning of a series of planned activities to commemorate the Treaty 6 anniversary, including a re-enactment of the treaty signing. The initial signing of Treaty 6 in 1876 at Fort Carlton in Saskatchewan encompassed significant territories in central Alberta and Saskatchewan, with further commemorative events scheduled for the upcoming weekend at Fort Carlton.
