‘A living relationship’: Cree Youth honour 150 years of Treaty 6, vowing to carry it forward

‘A living relationship’: Cree Youth honour 150 years of Treaty 6, vowing to carry it forward At multi-day anniversary commemorations in pêhonânihk (Fort Carlton), young people envision their future BY BRITTANY BOSCHMAN, LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER ● FEATURES ● SEPTEMBER 4, 2026 Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Share on Reddit Share on WhatsApp Email this Page At sunset, a child and adult walk past a tipi village set up at pêhonânihk (Fort Carlton). Photo by Brittany Boschman The route to “Fort Carlton” is a literal descent into colonial history.  The winding road drops below the flat, golden prairie Saskatchewan is known for — pulling travellers down into a lush, green landscape carved into the plain: the North Saskatchewan River Valley. Leaving asphalt behind, the valley levels out and gravel pinches out from beneath vehicles’ tires — bringing into sight more than 20 tipis scattered across the valley bottom. An aging grey wood fence leads to the tall, wooden stockade that is historic “Fort Carlton,” a fortified compound established in 1795 by the Hudson’s Bay Company, before moving to its current location 15 years later. In Cree, however, this site is known as pêhonânihk — a waiting place. Dozens of Treaty 6 flags flap in the wind, reminding visitors that this place was where the colonial agreement was negotiated and first signed exactly 150 years earlier. Photo by Brittany Boschman Edwin Ananas is chief of nîpisîhkopâwiyinînâhk (Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree) Nation, which hosted the four-day event. He hoped it would help participants “remember our past leaders who fought for us, who set the path for us, the path we need to continue to fight.” From Aug. 20 to 23, according to the band’s tourism agency, more than 5,000 people journeyed to Fort Carlton Provincial Historic Park for a historic commemoration that blended traditional ceremony, current affairs, and collective resolve about the future.  But while the 150th-anniversary event was billed as a chance to “to reflect on our shared history,” for many attending its focus was on the next generation: oskâyak (young people). Serenity Gamble (centre), a member of the Treaty 6 Youth planning committee and citizen of Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation. Photo by Brittany Boschman During a series of speeches, Youth asserted they are not waiting for their turn to be decision-makers. “We’re today’s generation,” said Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation member Serenity…