Treaty commission celebrates ‘Treaty Elders of Saskatchewan’

WATCH: The Office of the Treaty Commission is celebrating the 25th anniversary of a book and the birthday of its only living subject.

On Thursday, the Office of the Treaty Commission marked the 25th anniversary of “Treaty Elders of Saskatchewan” and celebrated the birthday of Elder Jacob Bill, the book’s only living subject.

“Treaty Elders of Saskatchewan: Our Dream Is That Our Peoples Will One Day Be Clearly Recognized as Nations” is a collection of oral histories, traditions, and wisdom about the Treaties, as told by elders from the five Treaty territories.

The book, published in 2000, has become a valuable resource on the relationship between First Nations and Canada.

“The main vision of Treaty Elders of Saskatchewan is that their dream is that one day our people will clearly be recognized as nations,” said Kathy Walker, Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan.

She adds the authors and subjects of the book set out a number of doctrines meant to inform what it is to be a nation.

“And these are doctrines that the rest of us who read the book, learn about the doctrines, we’re intended to breathe life into those, to carry forward the teachings.”

Community leaders gathered in Saskatoon to celebrate the book and the 101st birthday of Elder Jacob Bill.

“Jacob is basically a legend in his time,” said Walker.

He was 76 when he was interviewed and is the only living person remaining from the book.

“It’s individuals like Jacob that have helped so many of us to learn the understanding of Treaty, of who we are as First Nation people, as nehiyawak,” said Chief Bobby Cameron, FSIN.

While he couldn’t make it to the celebration in Saskatoon Thursday, Jacob’s daughter Lorraine Bill spoke and shared a song passed down from her father.

She says it was a gift to be raised in a traditional environment and is proud to pass that on to the next generation.

“Very much, because that’s the way I was raised, and that’s the way I want my children to grow up in that environment, the way I was brought up,” said Lorraine Bill, Jacob’s daughter.

She says a proper birthday party on Friday will involve Jacob’s request of a talent show with some of the family members who share his gift of song.