150 Year Treaty 6 Signing Commenorative Trek to Fort Carlton

However, many young Indigenous People struggle to understand the experiences their ancestors faced during this time due to cultural disconnect. As the next generation who will carry these treaty relationships forward, it is integral that young Indigenous Peoples understand the spirit and intent of the treaty. Connecting directly with the land and the history of Treaty 6 can help build a stronger sense of cultural identity, pride, and understanding.

The Chief Ahtahkakoop School is honouring the significant milestone and engaging their students with one powerful new initiative. The school organized a unique 6-day, 140-kilometre horse trail trek along the historic Carlton Trail, ending at Fort Carlton. Forty high school students and staff from Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation will travel the physical pathways of history and learn about the displacement, resilience, and experiences of their ancestors. It will be physically and spiritually challenging as students build personal resilience and cultural pride, pitching traditional teepees alongside modern technology such as Starlink and Chromebooks. This will provide youth the opportunity to merge ancestral knowledge with contemporary digital storytelling as they document their journey.

The Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF) is contributing funding to ensure the school has everything it needs to successfully and safely complete this land-based learning experience. The trek supports the school’s Native Studies goal of developing personal and cultural awareness while giving students an opportunity to understand what Treaty 6 means to them today and the responsibilities they now carry. Through this experience, students can become ambassadors for reconciliation and treaty relationship building, carrying forward the understanding that treaties are living relationships meant to be respected and held sacred for generations to come.

Diocese of Saskatoon