Amy Seesequasis spoke on the Humboldt Chamber's Lunch-n-Learn Zoom call on Monday. (Mat Barrett/northeastNOW Staff)

By Mat Barrett

The Importance of Treaties

Humboldt Chamber hosts Lunch-n-Learn on importance of Treaties

Jun 21, 2021 | 4:30 PM

The Humboldt and District Chamber of Commerce held a Lunch-n-Learn on Monday as part of National Indigenous People’s Day.

Amy Seesequasis, who is the Director of Public Education with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner spoke on a Zoom call for the event to help participants learn more about Treaties and their importance.

After a short intro that included recognizing that we are living on Treaty 6 land, Seesequasis acknowledged the importance of that recognition of Treaty land.

“When we acknowledge that territory, we’re acknowledging those people,” she said. “And it’s a sign of respect.”

Seesequasis, who is Cree with Métis lineage, told participants about a lot of the history of Treaties especially the origins and what they were meant to do. She said prior to the immigration of European settlers, Treaties were already something done by First Nations themselves.

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She said the agreements at their core were meant to help both parties work together. It also included a lot of culture sharing including songs, dance, prayers, and other ceremonies.

“They were these nation-to-nation agreements that were to provide mutual respect and benefit to both of those parties,” Seesequasis said as part of the presentation.

Seesequasis also touch on symbols of Treaties and what First Nations got as part of them, and how they were negotiated by Lieutenant Governor Alexander Morris in the late 1800s.

One topic she touched on that still remains very prevalent today is the Famine and Pestilence Assistance which came into effect during the COVID-19 pandemic, and helped set up things like mass vaccination clinics in locations such as Saskatoon.

“It was for everyone,” Seesequasis said. “Because the Famine and Pestilence Assistance was for all Treaty people, that’s what the negotiation was.”

There was talk of the negative side of Treaties and what resulted from them. The Indian Act was a major reason that Alexander Morris was unable to finish negotiating all 11 Treaties. Seesequasis said Morris stopped negotiating because officials in Ottawa were already drawing up the Indian Act.

Seesequasis said the Indian Act was a breach of the Treaty that still has an effect on today’s daily life among Indigenous People.

“That’s why you see these present-day situations happening in our society,” she said.

Things such as effects from Residential schools, high incarceration rates, Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, girls, boys, and men, and racism.

Seesequasis said events like this one are important, and it’s important for people to recognize and learn more about Treaties because it affects everyone because we are all Treaty People.

“Those Treaties created Canada, and every person who lives in Canada is a Treaty Person,” she said. “Because those Treaties were the foundation of building that.”

She added that anyone interested in learning more can go to the Office of the Treaty Commissioner website at www.otc.ca.

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mat.barrett@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @matbarrett6