A group of pilgrims from Saskatoon travelled to Fort Carlton Aug. 21, 2026, to mark the 150th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 6 (read more: LINK)

By Kathy and Ivan Hitchings, St. Mary Parish, Saskatoon

It was a very special day together with folks from St. Mary’s to participate in celebrating 150 years of Treaty 6 People with it’s promise of “sharing the land.”

We loved being immersed in Indigenous culture ,grounded first in prayer and ritual, and in a day founded in the Creator’s blessings.

It was so moving to see the Chiefs make their entry, many of them women, in their brilliant regalia, filling all with pride and inspiration.  Here are an amazing people gathered and united uniquely and powerfully in who they are, dancing their culture in beauty and joy.

(Photo by Ivan Hitchings)

Each Chief spoke eloquently about their particular First Nation, it’s achievements and plans while also observing the failure of the Crown to live out the promises of Treaty 6 and the resulting suffering that continues to this day.

They also spoke with gratitude to the Creator for the land and with confidence in a better future for their people. The politicians there to offer congratulations, in contrast, sounded feeble and out of touch with the importance of what was taking place.

It was exciting to see Treaty 6 in the original script and to be reminded that “education” was one of the promised commitments.

The actual response of the government was Residential Schools, a tool for assimilation. We as a church that ran residential schools have a responsibility to learn and deeply reflect on what happened.

The response I often hear from settlers is “Why don’t they get over it and move on?”  We need to ask ourselves, “What would I be if my children were taken from me?” and “What happens to a community when the children are rounded up and forcibly taken again and again?”

We came away convinced that education on treaties is essential for a change in attitudes and a respectful sharing of the land and our future together as a people.  As settlers we need to take an honest look around and recognize that we have benefitted richly while Indigenous People are still impoverished and suffering the generational effects of destroyed identity, lost language and culture.

The Truth and Reconciliation Committee at St. Mary Parish in Saskatoon organized a trip to Fort Carlton Aug. 21 to participate in the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 6 between the Crown and First Nations of lands stretching from Alberta to Manitoba. (Photo by Stella Ogboriefor) Find other comments about the day in the news item at: https://news.rcdos.ca/2026/09/04/treaty-6-anniversary-celebrating-150-years-of-our-treaty-relationship/

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