Image
Image Caption
Summary
On Aug. 17 at Edmonton City Hall, chiefs from the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations joined government representatives from Canada, Alberta and the City of Edmonton to commemorate the signing of Treaty No. 6 by Cree, Saulteaux and Nakota Sioux chiefs on Aug. 21,1877 and between the Plains and Wood Cree people and the Crown on Aug. 23, 1879.
The Treaty No. 6 flag was ceremoniously raised at the Edmonton’s Community Flag Pole (north of City Hall) where it will fly for this week. The flag is also permanently displayed inside City Hall as a lasting acknowledgement that Edmonton is on Treaty No. 6 territory.
“Today’s event is a great showcase of the dedication and commitment that all parties have to honouring the original spirit of Treaty No. 6,” said Mayor Don Iveson.
The City of Edmonton began celebrating Treaty No. 6 Recognition Day in 2013.
The event included a monument presentation, dancing and drumming provided by the River Cree Drum Group and ceremonial gift exchanges.
The art pieces exchanged as gift were the winning entries from the annual Treaty No. 6 Recognition Day Art Contest.
“Peace & Happiness” by Aurora & Sacia-Priya Muskego of Cold Lake First Nations was the winner under the Youth category, and “Namwayut” by Tia Attfield of Lac La Biche in the Adult category. This year’s theme was “...as long as the sun shines, the waters flow, and the grass grows...”