First Peoples Law Report: Winnipeg Sun – Manitoba First Nations celebrated the 153rd anniversary of the signing of Treaty No. 1 on Saturday. with a celebration at Lower Fort Garry, north of Winnipeg and the site of the original signing in 1871.

To commemorate the 153rd Anniversary of Treaty No. 1, Leadership, Knowledge Keepers and Youth were brought together at Lower Fort Garry to start the day in ceremony. The ceremonies were then followed by traditional teachings and discussions on the Treaty Relationships and ended with a feast with all the visitors to the historic site of the Treaty’s signing. These ceremonies are held to honour the traditional ways that our ancestors had negotiated and formed the Treaty Partnerships that stand to this day.

“As we celebrate the 153rd Anniversary of the signing of Treaty No. 1, we acknowledge the sovereignty of which Treaty No.1 was signed,” said Treaty One Nations Chairperson Chief Gordon BlueSky in a press release. “We remember the spirit of our ancestors who sat here on this land, in ceremony with a sacred pipe to welcome the settler society to live off this bountiful land.

“We come together in ceremony to celebrate our rich heritage, reflect on our shared history, and reaffirm our commitment to economic reconciliation and self-determination for all our Relatives. We make offerings and prayers for the guidance, direction, and spiritual support we need as we continue on the path of reconciliation, to build a future that respects sovereignty and honors the original intentions of Treaty No.1”.

The signing of Treaty No. 1 was the first of the 11 numbered Treaties that laid the foundation for the relationship between Canada and Turtle Island’s First Peoples. The Treaty was put in place, “for as long as the sun shines, the grass grows, and the rivers flow.”

“Treaty No. 1 was negotiated and signed after several days of discussions and ceremonies, resulting in commitments that continue to shape our lives today,” said Treaty One Nation in a statement. “The treaty is more than a historical document; it is a living agreement that reflects our ongoing relationship with the land and governs the relationship with each other. It is a reminder of the promises made and the continued efforts needed to fulfill its promises to First Nations people in Manitoba.”