Canada Marks 150th Anniversary of Treaty 6

Government dignitaries and Indigenous leaders gathered at Fort Carlton Provincial Historic Park from August 20 to 23, 2026, to mark the 150th anniversary of Treaty 6. The events featured a rare public display of the original 1876 manuscript, which includes the Medicine Chest and Famine & Pestilence clauses, and the presentation of a rendering for a planned commemorative metal teepee monument.

Louise Arbour, Governor General of Canada, acknowledged that the first 150 years were marred by broken promises, specifically citing the trauma of the residential school system and the failure to uphold treaty commitments. Federal Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty added that Canada had historically not been a reliable treaty partner. Indigenous leaders, including Chief Christine Longjohn of Sturgeon Lake First Nation, highlighted ongoing inequities in housing, healthcare, and education, arguing that the next 150 years must focus on implementing the treaty rather than just remembering it.

While Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe attended the festivities and emphasized a shared understanding to revitalize the relationship, relations with the Alberta government remained strained. Grand Chief Joey Pete of the Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations criticized Alberta Premier Danielle Smith for missing a separate commemorative event in Edmonton. Indigenous leaders in Alberta also expressed opposition to Smith's planned October 19 referendum on a provincial separation vote, with some chiefs accusing her of acting treasonously.