Why do treaty issues continue to be unresolved in Saskatchewan?
During and after treaty making, the Federal Government relied upon the written articles of treaty for its interpretation of treaty obligations. First Nations people, on the other hand, did not use a literate means to record information. They practised a complex system of oral tradition in their acquisition and transmission of knowledge and information. When Crown representatives presented the written treaty to First Nation leaders, a number of First Nation leaders approached the treaty signing in a unique way. Instead of signing the treaty, many leaders touched the tip of the pen to an “x” marked by Crown representatives, as a symbolic gesture out of respect for the Crown’s tradition. As well, Crown representatives participated in ceremonies with First Nations which, according to First Nation’s protocols for treaty making, signified an act of solidifying the agreement and the relationship. While the parties respected each other’s unique protocols at the time, in later years their inter
