King Charles invites Saskatchewan chiefs to Buckingham Palace ahead of Treaty 6 anniversary

Seven Treaty 6 Chiefs from Saskatchewan will meet King Charles next week to deliver an invitation and discuss the 150th Treaty 6 commemoration.

Seven chiefs representing Treaty 6 First Nations are heading to Buckingham Palace to meet King Charles III.

The delegation, which departs Monday from Saskatoon, is expected to deliver an in-person invitation for the King to come celebrate the 150th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 6 at Fort Carlton in August.

In a news release from the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) Friday, the chiefs said the invitation came after they contacted the royal about attending the commemoration.

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“Ahtahkakoop took the lead on inviting the head of the British Crown to reaffirm the continued relationship between Treaty 6 First Nations and the Crown for as long as the sun shines, the grass grows, and the rivers flow,” said Ahtahkakoop Chief Larry Ahenakew.

Ahenakew said the delegation has also partnered with the FSIN and the Office of the Treaty Commissioner to arrange a potential royal visit and a historic tour that would see the original treaty parchment return to the sites where it was signed for the first time since its signing in 1876.

“The aim of the delegation is to contribute to honouring Treaty 6 and the Treaties 1-11 bundle,” said Chief Daryl Watson of Mistawasis Nēhiyawak.

“As a delegation, we do not seek to speak for all of Treaty 6, because each nation exercises its own sovereign, self-determining authority and voice.”

Edwin Ananas, Chief of Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation, is responsible for bringing the Treaty 6 parchment to historic signing sites in Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Ananas said the travelling exhibit will help deepen public awareness about the history of Indigenous peoples on the prairie and the spirit of the agreements that laid the foundation for the relationship between the Crown and First Nations in this territory.

“While the treaty texts do not tell the complete story of what was agreed to under Treaty 6, they are a key part of our history and my hope is that the visiting Treaty 6 exhibits will provide much needed Treaty education and awareness that will provide a strong foundation for realizing Treaty over the next 150 years,” said Chief Ananas.

Chief Christine Longjohn of Sturgeon Lake First Nation said she’s planning to bring Charles a message about honouring future generations.

“I plan on gifting His Majesty with baby moccasins to represent that care for our children and future generations must be at the centre of our governance and decision-making,” said Longjohn.

The delegation flies out Monday afternoon from Saskatoon Airport.

Here’s who’s travelling:

• Chief Larry Ahenakew – Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation
• Chief Darryl Watson – Mistawasis Nêhiyawak
• Chief Edwin Ananas – Beardy’s & Okemasis Cree Nation
• Chief Christine Longjohn – Sturgeon Lake First Nation
• Councillor Gary LaPlante – Stoney Knoll First Nation
• Grand Council Chief Joey Pete – Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations
• Chief Desmond Bull – Louis Bull Tribe