After Treaty 4 was signed on Sept. 15, 1874, Chief Piapot composed a flag song to mark the Treaty’s creation.

It can only be sung by people who have the rites to sing it.

Aaron Tootoosis learned the words, protocols and meaning during a healing gathering with his family in 2005.  The rites to sing this song were passed on to the Tootoosis family by the Kaiswatum Singers in July 1982 at the World Assembly of First Nations International Celebration that was held at Regina Beach. 

He was able to share his learnings at an event with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner in late February. OTC staff learned the protocol required to hear him sing.

The Treaty 4 song’s words in Cree reflect the meaning of what people at that time saw with the signing. The words refer to the Queen (the great white mother) presenting her colours,  like a sacred exchange, and how those colours will fly here forever as they were presented by the Queen

On the other hand, the Treaty 6 song was designed as a universal song. The Treaty 6 song is similar to the Treaty 4 song in meaning, but has fewer words.  It can be used everywhere, recorded, and be sung by everyone. Please stand while it is being sung.

While the two songs are named for different Treaty territories, they do not refer to particular Treaties, but rather for the region where the composer lived.

Aaron also shared the Treaty 6 song with the OTC staff, which he graciously allowed us to record.