Treaty Six Recognition Day

(Source: edmonton.ca)

Treaty Six Recognition Day Event – Rescheduled When: Thursday, September 25, 9-11am Where: City Room, City Hall What: Speech from the Grand Chief of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations; proclamation by the Mayor; drumming and singing; public reception; presentation on the history of Treaty No. 6.

What is Treaty Six Recognition Day?

The City of Edmonton created Treaty Six Recognition Day in 2013 to commemorate the signing of Treaty No.6 between the Plains and Wood Cree people and the Crown at Fort Carlton on August 23, 1876.

Edmonton was founded in Treaty No. 6 territory. Treaty Six Recognition Day recognizes Edmonton’s connection with the First peoples of this land.

What happens during Treaty Six Recognition Day?

The Mayor invites the Grand Chief of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, and the Chiefs of all 18 Treaty No. 6 First Nations, to City Hall.

Mayor and Council, the Grand Chief and the Chiefs of Treaty No. 6 First Nations start the day with a traditional pipe ceremony. The Mayor, Councillors, Grand Chief and First Nations Chiefs participate in the private ceremony. Afterward, a public event and reception is held in City Hall. To close the day, Mayor and Council host a private meet and greet for the First Nations leaders to discuss opportunities.

The Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations flag flies outside City Hall for one week following Treaty Six Recognition Day. The Confederacy flag also permanently hangs in the City Room of City Hall to officially acknowledge that Edmonton lies within Treaty Six territory.

Why does Treaty Six Recognition Day exist?

Treaty Six Recognition Day allows City and First Nation leaders to:

• Commemorate the historic ties between the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations and the City of Edmonton
• Recognize Edmonton sits within Treaty No.6  territory
• Acknowledge the contributions that Treaty No. 6  First Nations made in Edmonton’s founding and growth
• Discuss topics of shared interest, and build relationships in order to address opportunities or concerns
• Come together in an act of reconciliation, a shared commitment to work positively together in a relationship founded on honour and respect

Aboriginal Relations and the City of Edmonton

Treaty Six Recognition Day is planned in partnership by the City of Edmonton, through its Aboriginal Relations Office (ARO), and the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations. Treaty Six Recognition Day is one of a range of initiatives shared between the City and the Confederacy. The working relationship between the organizations was formalized through the Memorandum of Cooperation and Dialogue in 2012.