"The camp here at Stony Point is growing daily,
every trader had his canvas spread and his wares exposed to catch the
dollars from the Indian as he gets paid. Ice cream parlors and restaurants
are also established.."
So reported the Edmonton Bulletin in the summer of
1899 on the carnival like setting surrounding the negotiations of Treaty 8. That same festive atmosphere will again visit
Lesser Slave Lake
this summer during a centennial anniversary commemoration of the signing
of Treaty 8.
Why celebrate 100 years after the signing? Treaty 8
was a major historical event in Canada. The legacy and significance of the
treaty for First Nations has been passed down from generation to
generation through oral histories. First Nations Elders and leaders view
it as the basis for the 'Nation to Nation' relationship between First
Nations and Canada. They also state that 'through the knowledge of the
Elders, Treaty 8 First Nations view the treaty as sacred, whereby solemn
promises were made to share the land and resources in a peaceful
manner.' All Canadians need to learn more about the special legal and
historical relationship with Canada's first Peoples to better understand
the demands and claims made by the First Nations.
Read or print off the entire article in Microsoft
Word!
Reprinted from with permission from Brian
Calliou and Legacy: Alberta's Heritage Magazine. |