In 1989, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indians and the Government of Canada created the Office of the Treaty Commissioner (OTC) with a five-year mandate to provide recommendations in the areas of Treaty land entitlement and education. The OTC played a vital role in the signing of the Treaty land entitlement agreements between 28 First Nations and the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan. The Office continued its work in Treaty land entitlement and education until its mandate expired in March 1996.

With the conclusion of the original OTC mandate, the FSIN and Canada seized the opportunity to renew the Office of theTreaty Commissioner under a new mandate. The Honourable Judge David M. Arnot was appointed Treaty Commissioner for a ten-year period by an Order of the Governor in Council signed by the Governor General of Canada effective January 1, 1997.

Following a brief closure of the OTC, the office was back up and running in the summer of 2007 under the leadership of the Honourable Bill McKnight. To view the OTC's new mandate under Commissioner McKnight, download the document here.

OTC Mission Statement

• The OTC will assist the Parties in understanding the relationship building process inherent in the Treaties and promoting that relationship amongst all Canadians.
• The OTC is committed to coordinating the research, initiating, facilitating and supporting of initiatives aimed at achieving First Nations economic independence in the context of Treaty in a modern environment.
• The OTC is committed to coordinating independent and focused research on Treaty issues to assist the Parties.
• The OTC is committed to engaging in public information and public awareness programming to educate and advance good relations among all the peoples of Saskatchewan on Treaty issues.

OTC Vision

OTC Values Commitment

• Neutrality
• Honesty
• Integrity
• Respect
• Fairness
• Accountability
• Open Communication

OTC Strategic Imperatives

• Independence—To steadfastly maintain the independence and accountability of the Office of the Treaty Commissioner.
• Financial Management—To provide efficient and effective allocation of financial resources and containment of operational expenses.
• Service Excellence—To provide timely, effective, efficient and value added services to the Parties.
• Communication—To ensure that all employees of the Office of the Treaty Commissioner communicate clearly, openly and fairly.
• Economic Independence—To provide timely, well researched information to the Parties and to facilitate discussions and activities with appropriate agencies towards stated goals and objectives.
• Research—To provide timely, well researched, balanced, objective information to the Parties.
• Education—To provide balanced, objective information to the people of Saskatchewan on Treaty issues.
• Facilitation—To facilitate the discussions of the Parties, so that they move toward achieving the Vision of the Office of the Treaty Commissioner by creating an environment which demonstrates mutual respect, mutual recognition, responsibility and reciprocity.