Honouring 153 Years of Treaty No. 1

Celebrating Our Heritage and Renewing Our Commitment to the Future

August 3, 2024 – Treaty No. 1 Territory – As we commemorate the 153rd Anniversary of the signing of Treaty No. 1, we reflect on our shared history. Signed in 1871 at Lower Fort Garry, Treaty No. 1 established the frameworks for coexistence and outlined the rights and obligations of both First Nations peoples and our Treaty Partners. August 3 is a time to honour the commitment we made as the signatories to this historic agreement.

To commemorate the 153^rd Anniversary of Treaty No. 1, Treaty One’s team brought together Leadership, Knowledge Keepers and Youth at Lower Fort Garry to start the day in ceremony. The ceremonies were then followed by traditional teachings and discussions on the Treaty Relationships and ended with a feast with all the visitors to the historic site of the Treaty’s signing. These ceremonies are held to honour the traditional ways that our ancestors had negotiated and formed the Treaty Partnerships that stand to this day.

“As we celebrate the 153rd Anniversary of the signing of Treaty No. 1, we acknowledge the sovereignty of which Treaty No.1 was signed. We remember the spirit of our ancestors who sat here on this land, in ceremony with a sacred pipe to welcome the settler society to live off this bountiful land,” said Treaty One Nations Chairperson Chief Gordon BlueSky. “We come together in ceremony to celebrate our rich heritage, reflect on our shared history, and reaffirm our commitment to economic reconciliation and self-determination for all our Relatives. We make offerings and prayers for the guidance, direction, and spiritual support we need as we continue on the path of reconciliation, to build a future that respects sovereignty and honors the original intentions of Treaty No.1”.

The signing of Treaty No. 1 was the first of the 11 numbered Treaties that laid the foundation for the relationship between Canada and Turtle Island’s First Peoples. The Treaty was put in place, “for as long as the sun shines, the grass grows, and the rivers flow”. The Treaty relationship with First Nations people is intended to last forever and cannot be extinguished. It’s the foundation of which Canada was built.

Treaty No. 1 was negotiated and signed after several days of discussions and ceremonies, resulting in commitments that continue to shape our lives today. The treaty is more than a historical document; it is a living agreement that reflects our ongoing relationship with the land and governs the relationship with each other. It is a reminder of the promises made and the continued efforts needed to fulfill its promises to First Nations people in Manitoba.

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Vic Savino
Director of Communications, Treaty One Nation
Email: vsavino@treaty1.ca | Cell: 204-770-0392