Seven area governments have signed the Sacichawasihc Relationship Agreement. (Tyler Marr/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Tyler Marr

RECONCILIATION IN ACTION

‘One step forward in reconciliation’: Seven area governments sign landmark cooperative agreement

Jun 21, 2019 | 1:32 PM

An example of reconciliation in action.

That is how chiefs described the signing of the Sacichawasihc Relationship Agreement.

It commits the City of North Battleford, Town of Battleford and five regional First Nations to work collaboratively to ensure the socio-economic sustainability and vibrancy of the region and to develop and implement projects of mutual benefit.

The First Nation communities involved are the Moosomin, Sweetgrass, Saulteaux and Little Pine First Nation, and the Lucky Man Cree Nation.

For over one year, members from seven regional governments have worked to create the Sacichawasihc Relationship Agreement. (Tyler Marr/battlefordsNOW Staff)

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One year ago, the city raised the Treaty 6 flag outside of city hall. Mayor Ryan Bater said it was done as a reminder to everyone who lives and visits the Battlefords that the only reason everything is here, is because Indigenous people agreed to share the land.

He said in sharing the land comes a shared future, and in that, shared enemies, seen in issues such as poverty, addiction, food security and homelessness.

“These enemies are strong,” Bater said. “When we fight them alone, we fail … when we think about the future, I don’t think we would be able to look our children and grandchildren in the eye knowing that we could have done things differently knowing that we could have come together and worked together to build solutions.”

He said the eyes of the country are already on the Battlefords, and will continue to be, but “we are going to show them how to do it right.”

In June 2018, several leaders from the area met and decided it was time to find better ways to work together. In the months to follow, chiefs from surrounding communities and both Battleford mayors continued to meet.

On Feb. 15, 2019, the group agreed it was time to move forward with advancing the idea of a jointly developed, regional community framework, which would serve to provide continuity and relationship sustainability.

Little Pine First Nation Chief Wayne Semaganis said initial meetings between the groups were a struggle as everyone was approaching with a different mindset. He said that is emblematic of the history of the territory.

But as leaders, the chief said they are the ones who have to right the wrongs and straighten things out on behalf of everyone who calls the area home.

“It is not First Nations making First Nations better or Battleford or North Battleford making their towns better, it is all of us working together,” he said, adding the agreement brings a renewed sense of hope and will truly benefit those who need help.

“When we sign a treaty, we acknowledge that there is a new way of life and we have a new neighbour,” Semaganis said. “We never really made the right steps to ensure that we all share everything to the best for both First Nations and non-First Nations. We are just catching up to that now.”

Businessman and philanthropist Brett Wilson acted as a witness to the signing. (Tyler Marr/battlefordsNOW Staff)

The framework calls on the governments to strike a working committee to collaborate on building intergovernmental relationships, cultural and historical prosperity and engagement, collaborative land use planning, social enhancement, environmental stewardship, and joint advocacy, among other objectives.

Chief Kenny Moccasin of the Saulteaux First Nation likened the day to when his ancestors signed Treaties with the Crown.

“Our ancestors agreed to share the land and work with every one and this is a similar agreement we are signing again today,” he said.

The agreement says nothing in it shall be interpreted to take away from the Treaty or rights of the participating First Nations or limit the responsibilities and legislation of the municipal governments.

During his speech, Mayor Ames Leslie noted the storied past of the Town of Battleford and said it is not one anyone is proud of when it comes to Indigenous relationships and the treatment of Indigenous people.

“This coalition, this framework will not change what happened in the Town of Battleford hundreds of years ago,” he said. “But it is the first step to show that this council, myself as mayor and the Town of Battleford are doing what we can to help make a difference and make sure history is known.”

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tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr