Released on November 2, 2021
The Government of Saskatchewan is supporting the Office of the Treaty Commissioner's application for official treaty boundary signage in the province.
“The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to work in partnership with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner to support and invest in this first-in-Canada initiative,” Minister Responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs Don McMorris said. “The treaty boundary signage will help further treaty awareness and education in our province, and support our work toward reconciliation.”Currently, the Ministry of Government Relations and the Ministry of Highways are coordinating the work, hand-in-hand with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner. The signage will follow provincial highway standards, with the final design being overseen by the Treaty Commissioner. The Ministry of Highways will then co-ordinate the manufacturing and installation of the first sign, planned for winter-spring 2022.
"This is the start of a much-needed public recognition of the Treaty Territories in Saskatchewan," Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan Mary Culbertson said. "The path to reach this point was long and involved conversations about our history and the desire of our Knowledge Keepers, who wanted to see these signs. It marks the beginning of a process being undertaken to one day ensure every border driven past in these territories will have a demarcation. We want everyone to know they are here because of Treaty.
"Acknowledging the territories that we are on and accepting they are the foundation of Saskatchewan and Canada is so important to the Treaty relationship and reconciliation. It may be a small step, but the signs will be here for a long time. The people who worked on this are looking forward to the Government of Saskatchewan support. This action will start conversations and these discussions lead to education, knowledge and change."
The signs will delineate the two largest Treaty territories in Saskatchewan, Treaty 4 and Treaty 6. The Government of Saskatchewan and the Office of the Treaty Commissioner will work together to determine the exact location and composition of signs, and to ensure that the proper protocols and ceremony are observed prior to any installation. This will make Saskatchewan the first province in Canada to mark Treaty boundaries along major provincial highways.
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For more information, contact:
Jonathan TremblayGovernment Relations
Regina
Phone: 306-787-6156
Email: jonathan.tremblay@gov.sk.ca
Angie Merasty
Office of the Treaty Commissioner
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-244-2100
Email: amerasty@otc.ca