Fort Carlton gathering marks Treaty 6's 150th anniversary Sunday

Politicians, dignitaries and Indigenous leaders are gathering Sunday at Fort Carlton Historic Park in Saskatchewan to mark 150 years since Treaty 6 was signed, an agreement that covers much of what is now central Alberta and Saskatchewan. Federal Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty said the milestone recognizes the resilience of Treaty 6 Nations, acknowledging Canada has historically been an unreliable treaty partner and that Ottawa is committed to addressing past harms.

The anniversary comes amid tension between Indigenous leaders and the Alberta government over an Oct. 19 referendum on provincial separation, which First Nations have strongly opposed and challenged in court. Joey Pete, grand chief of the Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations, recently criticized the Smith government for missing a treaty anniversary event in Edmonton, and some chiefs have accused the premier of treasonous conduct. Alberta's Indigenous Relations Minister Rajan Sawhney was reportedly away from that event but said she remains committed to the relationship with First Nations.

Pete said that if the provincial relationship does not improve, collaboration may need to focus on the federal government instead, adding he expects more from Ottawa in honouring Treaty 6 commitments. Saskatchewan officials, including Premier Scott Moe and government relations minister Eric Schmalz, are also attending, with Schmalz describing Treaty 6 as one of the country's most important documents and citing an open relationship with Indigenous leaders on issues like resource extraction and education.