It is with heavy heart that the Office of the Treaty Commissioner acknowledges the passing of one of the former Treaty Commissioners of Saskatchewan, Hon. Bill McKnight.

 

“Bill McKnight understood the importance of land and the role of economic independence in Reconciliation. His work on the Treaty Land Entitlement Framework allowed for more economic opportunities for First Nations,” said Mary Culbertson, current and fifth Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan.

 

“He worked to further the understanding that we are all Treaty people, and that economic partnerships and livelihood benefit us all. He will be missed,”

 

McKnight was Saskatchewan’s third Treaty Commissioner, holding the role from 2007 to 2012.

 

He will be remembered for his work supporting Indigenous communities. McKnight was the MP for Kindersley–Lloydminster from 1979 to 1993, and he was a driving force in the creation of the 1992 Saskatchewan Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement, when about 2.5 million acres of land were identified that would set to greatly enhance the economic opportunities for First Nations in Saskatchewan.

 

McKnight was named honorary chief by the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, appointed as a member of the Order of Saskatchewan, and received an honourary law degree from the University of Saskatchewan.

 

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner sends our condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.