Treaty Road docuseries delves into Numbered Treaties and their significance for Indigenous peoples in Canada

They visit each treaty territory to explore the treaties’ meaning and significance to Indigenous people in those regions. They consult experts, knowledge keepers, and descendants of signatories to understand the treaty relationship.

Treaty Road, produced by 3 Story Pictures and Blue Hill Productions, began filming in October across Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. It was executive-produced by Doug Cuthand of Blue Hill Productions. Candy Renae Fox (The Other Side, Big Brother Canada) directed the six episodes and also served as a producer. APTN will air the hour-long docuseries in the fall. During filming. DeCocq embarks on a quest to learn more about his relative, the Honourable James McKay, a prominent Métis from the Red River area who participated in many Numbered Treaty negotiations and eventually became a Treaty Commissioner. Saxon enlists the help of Goodpipe, a community educator and researcher with expertise in treaty rights.

Director Candy Fox is from the Piapot First Nation in Saskatchewan. She says that initially, Saxon had limited knowledge of the treaties, which became the starting point for Treaty Road. Fox says it was humbling to be involved in the project, despite grappling with her own limited understanding of the treaties and their impact on her life as a Treaty Indian.

“It really was an honour to ask to be involved in a project like this,” Fox told Indigenous Times. “I had to think about what the treaties meant in my life. I also realized how little I knew about the treaties. So really coming to terms with that and thinking about how best to explore such a vast topic as this as well.”

To explore such a vast topic, the team focussed on different themes for each territory, centering on issues like land and water that resonate in each region. Fox acknowledges that the series only scratches the surface of these complex issues. “We had to focus on different themes for each territory,” Fox said. “Certain things really jump out as you go to each territory. Treaty One, obviously, we need to focus on land. That’s absolutely what the treaties are all about. When we went into Treaty Three, there’s these large arch lakes, bodies of water everywhere you go and a lot of topics and issues relating to water that people in those communities are dealing with.”

The team sought to follow protocols and engage in ceremonies, as they were a mix of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. They were grateful to be welcomed into different regions and take part in regional ceremonies, such as water offerings in Treaty Three.

Fox was amazed by the geograph- ical differences in each treaty territory and how they influenced the signing of the treaties. She hopes the series will pique interest in a subject that affects everyone, noting that the current curriculum does not adequately address this history. It wasn’t until university that Fox began learning more about the real history of Indigenous people and the strength of their communities and nations.

“It really was amazing going to the different treaty territories,” Fox said. “All of which had different geographical differences and played such a big role when the treaties were signed.

Written By : Christina Cherneskey

On Tuesday, March 21, people around the world celebrated International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The day is intended to denounce apartheid regimes and address ongoing issues of racial discrimination. Racism remains a pervasive issue in Canada, affecting individuals and communities. In Saskatchewan, Rhonda Rosenberg, executive director of the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan (MCoS), is educating people on the impacts of racism and how to combat it.

According to Rosenberg, visible minorities and people with Indigenous ancestry make up a significant portion of Saskatchewan’s population. The 2016 census revealed that nearly 11 percent of people living in the province identify as visible minorities, while over 16 percent claim Indigenous ancestry. She emphasizes that racism’s impact on people’s lives is pervasive and cruel.

To address racism, MCoS is taking an information-sharing approach, educating people on what racism is and isn’t.