Treaty Recognition Week: Upholding Treaty

“Treaty starts with having all our children understand that they belong and are loved and that their cultures and traditions and languages matter and are valued,” said Dr. Kathy Walker, Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan

“Upholding Treaty really is about realizing the vision that the Treaty partners had when they came together, which was really to learn about how we could live together in true relationship with one another, understanding that we are interrelated.”

The opening of a Birthing and Traditional Parenting Centre in Sturgeon Lake First Nation is one key example of what it means to uphold Treaty. Supporting children, families, language, culture, and traditional knowledge reflects the values Treaties were built on.

In his book Who We Are: Four Questions for a Life and a Nation, Murray Sinclair reflects on four important questions:

Who am I?
Why am I here?
Where do I come from?
Where am I going?

As Treaty People, we are meant to think about these questions together. Treaty reminds us that our lives are interconnected and that we share responsibility for one another.

May 17-23, 2026 is Treaty Recognition Week in Saskatchewan. One thing every Treaty person can do is learn the history of Treaties and recognize the contributions of First Nations ways of knowing and being. Upholding Treaty begins with respect and relationship building now and for the generations to come.