Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations

Chief's Message

On behalf of the 74 Saskatchewan First Nations leaders and community members, Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, Veterans, Senate, Executive and Staff we wish to extend our sincere greetings.

I am very pleased to welcome you to the 135th Anniversary celebrations of Treaty 4, a commemoration of Treaties and a celebration of First Nations people. This special event will commemorate our Chiefs signing Treaties with Her Majesty Queen Victoria.

The treaties, through the spiritual ceremonies conducted during the negotiations, expanded the First Nations sovereign circle, bringing in and embracing the British Crown within their sovereign circle. The treaties, in this view, were arrangements between nations intended to recognize, respect, and acknowledge in perpetuity the sovereign character of each of the treaty parties, within the context of rights conferred by the Creator to the Indian Nations ( Treaty Elders of Saskatchewan, 41).

Before the Europeans arrived, the people flourished for thousands of years, on a culture based on the buffalo. Herds of buffalo roamed the vast grasslands preserving our physical, mental, social and spiritual life. The hunters were a strong and brave people who respected their traditions, offering ceremonies, prayers, and feasts to the Creator for sustaining our livelihood. The Treaties will continue to have meaning for us, "As long as the sun shines, the rivers flow and the grass grows".

It is a privilege for me to serve as Patron of the Chief Payepot Anniversary Committee. I am grateful to the visionary individuals who are commemorating this milestone.

I encourage all to join in this celebration of Treaties!

A celebration of First Nations people!