Bishop Halkett speaks on importance of treaties

By Mary Brown

PRINCE ALBERT

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Bishop Adam Halkett was invited to speak on Feb. 11 about the importance of the treaties signed on Feb. 11, 1889 in Montreal Lake. There were about 150 people at the school gym to celebrate this historic day in history. Halkett spoke about being in a Toronto store and asked by the clerk if he had a treaty card.

He said he did but it had expired and she said, “Yes but treaties don’t expire.” This was an important observation.

It is hoped Feb. 11 can be made a day to be celebrated in Saskatchewan.

Between 1897 and 1973 about 20 surveys were completed to define reserve boundaries for the Lac la Ronge Indian Band. Most reserves are near Lac la Ronge, but parcels extend as far as Emma Lake and Prince Albert.

Band members are from the James Roberts Wood Cree Band, who adhered to Treaty 6 on Feb. 11, 1889, at