City of Edmonton and Treaty No. 6 Chiefs commemorate 140 years since treaty signed

(Edmonton) – Mayor Don Iveson and Treaty No. 6 Chiefs came together at City Hall on August 19 in an act of reconciliation and renewed their commitment to work positively together in a relationship founded on honour and respect.

Treaty No. 6  Recognition Day recognizes the signing of Treaty No.6  between the Plains and Wood Cree, Nakota, Saulteaux and Dene people and the Crown on August 23, 1876.

“Today I am honoured to recognize that Edmonton is part of Treaty No. 6 territory and we share the history, vibrant culture and unique contributions of Treaty No. 6 First Nations in our great city,” said Mayor Don Iveson. “The renewed relationships that have been built over the last three years hold a wealth of promise and the spirit of intent of the original Treaty No. 6.”

Treaty No.6 Recognition Day is a direct result of this enhanced working relationship. The City of Edmonton created Treaty No. 6 Recognition Day in 2013.

“When Mayor Iveson first took office for the City of Edmonton, he reached out to our First Nations leadership; he has made efforts of recognition and respect to our First Nations,” said Treaty No. 6 Chief Randy Ermineskin.

“The Treaty No. 6 Recognition Day held in Edmonton is a positive step forward to reconciliation and relationship building.

“On behalf of our seventeen First Nations of Treaty No. 6 and our political ally whose First Nation was split in half when Alberta and Saskatchewan became provinces, I extend our hand of friendship to the Mayor, his Council and the citizens of Edmonton.  We are pleased to join the City in recognizing the true Spirit and Intent of Treaty No. 6 as passed on to each of us through our Wisdom Keepers, our traditional Elders.”

Edmonton was founded in Treaty No. 6 territory. The Treaty No. 6 flag will fly outside of City Hall for the next week, however it is permanently displayed inside City Hall as an acknowledgement that Edmonton is on Treaty No. 6 territory.