BOCN, Pêmiska Tourism major planners for Treaty 6 commemoration

“In terms of tourism, we know by having our name out there, it’s going to bring increased awareness to what we do, but more importantly, it’s not about Pêmiska Tourism, it’s about the stories, the history, the legacy that our ancestors left us. In their struggle, through their resilience, they left us a very special and unique gift: the opportunity to share those stories. That gift is what we at Pêmiska Tourism want to share with the world.”

Kevin Seesequasis has been very busy in recent months planning for the upcoming events. (Image Credit: Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

Pêmiska Tourism was founded in 2018 and became operational in 2023. It operates lodges and a teepee village in Fort Carlton Historic Provincial Park, marking the first time a First Nation has leased land in a provincial park for tourism purposes.

The upcoming Treaty 6 commemoration is undoubtedly the largest event Pêmiska Tourism has been involved in organizing.

“Over the last several years, we have worked really hard at developing a relationship with Sask. Parks. Everyone in the Sask. Parks organization recognizes the importance of Fort Carlton within the context of the fur trade. I think the history of Treaty 6 wasn’t necessarily lost, but it wasn’t communicated as well,” Seesequasis noted.

“This moment in history 150 years ago was key and pivotal to the foundation of Canada. Without Treaty 6, the West wouldn’t have been able to be settled. Without Treaty 6, the provinces of Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, wouldn’t be the way they are today without that agreement to share the land. Treaty 6 is quite a foundational document for Canada, as we know it today, to be in existence. That story needs to be better told and we feel, at Pêmiska Tourism, that we’re best to deliver that story and we’re continually working with our partners to share that knowledge and history.”

Pêmiska Tourism’s lodges and teepee village at Fort Carlton Historic Provincial Park. (Image Credit: Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

Fort Carlton was a Hudson’s Bay Company fur trading post from 1795 until 1885. It was reconstructed in 1967 and it was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1976. (Image Credit: Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

Seesequasis added he’s hopeful this upcoming once-in-a-generation event will reignite in Treaty 6 what the relationship with the federal government and Canadians was supposed to look like. He said signing treaty wasn’t about surrendering land or giving up on their way of life.

“Treaty was about establishing a reciprocal relationship where both parties would benefit. Throughout history, we have seen that hasn’t been the case,” Seesequasis said.

“We’re hoping with Treaty 6 150, it will reignite an interest in what Treaty 6 is, how we can all be better partners in Treaty, and how we can better protect the land and preserve this history and story for future generations. We really hope it will allow all Canadians to come and experience what this history is from both sides, but also recommit to the next 150 years and commit to doing better. We know the Treaty relationship has been one-sided and we want to do better.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

by Derek Cornet

BOCN, Pêmiska Tourism major planners for Treaty 6 commemoration

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