For the first time in 136 years, treaties have again been signed at Fort Pitt.
Yesterday, the Onion Lake Cree Nation signed treaties with four bands to spur job creation and oil and gas development.
One treaty was signed with a band from the Utah area.
Another one was signed with three First Nations from Alberta.
Onion Lake Cree Nation Chief Wallace Fox says although they will develop oil and gas, they won’t forget to look after the environment.
“We have our own laws and legislation that pre-existed the treaty, that was given to us by the Creator as keepers of the land, to maintain that and do as best as we can to look after that. Whereas industry today doesn’t look at it that way.”
Ground was also broken yesterday for a Treaty Six Embassy at the Onion Lake Cree Nation.
Fox says the embassy will house governance staff.
He adds it will also be the place where chiefs will meet each other and government officials to discuss issues.
Fox says there used to be an embassy in the late 1800s — but it was abolished by the early 1900s.
Construction of the embassy is expected to begin this summer, with the opening scheduled for September of next year.
He says the embassy will be built entirely using First Nations money — with no money from governments.