Contemporary Life

Though more than a century has passed since the signing of Treaty 6, the impact of the terms outlined in the 1876 document has left lasting consequences. For those living in the Treaty 6 area, the treaty continues to influence their everyday lives. In this section, we examine contemporary Treaty 6 life and explore the ways in which the signing of this historic agreement has shaped the lives and experiences of those who call this area home.

In the Implications and Contentions section, we will explore some of the complex and often painful ramifications of the numbered treaties, especially as they apply to the Treaty 6 area. Specifically, we will take a look at issues pertaining to land claims, residential schools, missionary activity, reserves, and government relations.

The Governance section introduces the bands of Treaty 6 and the organizations which represent them in both Alberta and Saskatchewan. Be sure to check out the searchable database, where you’ll find the bands listed by name, band number, province, hectares of land, and number of reserves.

The last section, entitled Cultural Healing, focuses on the importance of maintaining cultural traditions which play a vital role in the healing of past injustices. Here we will celebrate the art, mythology, music and dance, storytelling and oral history, traditional justice, and traditional healing practised by the Peoples of Treaty 6.