Historic Agreement Between the Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations and City of Edmonton

July 06, 2012

The City of Edmonton and the Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations have entered into a formal agreement that will strengthen their working relationship and set the foundation for further cooperation and dialog.

July 6, 2012 will go down in history as the day Mayor Stephen Mandel signed a Memorandum of Cooperation and Dialog with Grand Chief Cameron Alexis and Vice-Chief Stanley Lagrelle of the Treaty No. 6 First Nations to strengthen professional ties between the First Nations and the City. Signing took place at the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation annual traditional powwow on the north shore of Lac St. Anne.

“Today's signing signals our mutual dedication to evolving the relationship between the Treaty 6 First Nations and the City of Edmonton in a manner which is consistent with the mutual respect we feel and based on our commitment to growing avenues of cooperation and communication," said Mayor Stephen Mandel. "The Memorandum of Cooperation and Dialogue acknowledges the special relationship, rich in history and culture, between the City of Edmonton and our First Nations community, and speaks to the optimism we share for our future opportunity and success we will explore together.”

Edmonton lies within the territories of the Treaty No. 6 First Nations. The signing of this document is an historic first in Alberta with a municipal government establishing a relationship with territorial First Nations representatives. The Memorandum outlines that both parties have begun a renewed relationship with each other based on honour, respect and sharing of their common history and culture.

“Our First Nations have a rich history within the area that is now known as the City of Edmonton. This was a major centre of trade and commerce and also for relationship building for our Nations prior to the arrival of the Europeans. Today Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 Chiefs recognize that a number of our members either live, work or travel to the City of Edmonton,” said Grand Chief Cameron.

“It’s important to continue to advocate for our members wherever they live and work and we can do that by establishing a relationship with the City and a communication protocol that clarifies our purpose, key interests and process. We look forward to educating and informing the City of Edmonton about our role as Treaty Advocacy organization and our unique history, governance structures and also in dispelling myths.”

The original Treaty No. 6 was signed in 1876. In 1993, the 17 First Nations included in Treaty No.6 came together to form the Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations, to act as an united political body so they could speak with a collective voice and share  information on common issues. 

Edmonton has the second-largest urban population of Aboriginal peoples in Canada.

 

For more information:

Erica Brusselers

Title	Communications Consultant, Office of the Mayor
Telephone	780-496-8105
Fax	780-496-8292
Email	erica.brusselers@edmonton.ca

Ann Gladue-Buffalo

Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations

Title	Intergovernmental Coordinator
Telephone	780-222-8976