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Cliff Wright
(1989–1996)
A Treaty Commissioner was promised to Indian People at the Treaty signing more than 100 years ago. Now, finally, that promise is being fulfilled… Chief Roland Crowe
(Saskatchewan Indian. March/April 1990, p.3)
MoreCliff Wright
(1989–1996)
A Treaty Commissioner was promised to Indian People at the Treaty signing more than 100 years ago. Now, finally, that promise is being fulfilled… Chief Roland Crowe
(Saskatchewan Indian. March/April 1990, p.3)
Cliff Wright served as the first Treaty Commissioner from 1989 to 1996 when he worked with Roland Crowe, then Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, and the federal and provincial governments to settle 25 outstanding land claims in Saskatchewan.
He came into being Treaty Commissioner after serving 22 years in the public service as first an alderman and then mayor of the City of Saskatoon.
He chaired numerous community and crown boards across the province, held an honorary degree from the University of Saskatchewan and was appointed to the Saskatchewan Order of Merit and the Order of Canada.
Wright passed away on December 9, 2014 at the age of 87.
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David Arnot
(1997–2007)
We need to embrace the concept of Treaty partnership and use it to build a bridge for the future. Treaty Commissioner David Arnot
(Saskatchewan Indian. Winter 1997, p.14)
MoreDavid Arnot
(1997–2007)
We need to embrace the concept of Treaty partnership and use it to build a bridge for the future. Treaty Commissioner David Arnot
(Saskatchewan Indian. Winter 1997, p.14)
David Arnot was the second Treaty Commissioner in Saskatchewan, from January 1997 to 2007.
During his time in the role he coined the phrase “We are all Treaty people” to capture the nature of the Treaty relationship in Canada. He was also a driver in the creation of the “Teaching Treaties in the Classroom Project” ensuring Treaty education was permanently a part of the Saskatchewan curriculum.
Arnot graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 1978 as a lawyer and in 1981 he was appointed judge of Saskatchewan’s provincial court. He has been the director general of Aboriginal Justice in the Federal Department of Justice and in 1996 he was special advisor to the deputy minister of justice for Canada.
Arnot has gone on to become the chief commissioner of the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission and is in his second five-year term.
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Bill McKnight
(2007–2012)
...to advance the First Nations treaty right to livelihood — prosperity, economic self-sufficiency, and independence by supporting training, employment, and economic development. Treaty Commissioner Bill McKnight
(Address to Aboriginal and Research Policy Conference, Ottawa. March 8, 2009)
MoreBill McKnight
(2007–2012)
...to advance the First Nations treaty right to livelihood — prosperity, economic self-sufficiency, and independence by supporting training, employment, and economic development. Treaty Commissioner Bill McKnight
(Address to Aboriginal and Research Policy Conference, Ottawa. March 8, 2009)
Saskatchewan’s third Treaty Commissioner was Bill McKnight, who held the role from 2007 to 2012.
As the Treaty Commissioner he worked to continue Treaty implementation including adding a resource guide, in all Saskatchewan schools, for teachers of kindergarten through Grade 12 students, to teach about Treaties.
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. At least 2.5 million acres of land have been identified which will greatly enhance the economic opportunities for First Nations in Saskatchewan.
He was named an honorary chief of the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and was appointed to the Saskatchewan Order of Merit.
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George E. Lafond
(2012 - 2016)
Reconciliation is the restoration of a friendship after an estrangement. It does not require agreement on every aspect of how to live together. It is not an apology that has been accepted once offered. Rather, it is about the process of coming together—a conscious choice that the future will be better if we work through difficulties and differences with an openness to hearing about, and responding to, the harm that has occurred.” Treaty Commissioner George E. Lafond
(Policy Options. Feb. 1, 2013)
MoreGeorge E. Lafond
(2012 - 2016)
Reconciliation is the restoration of a friendship after an estrangement. It does not require agreement on every aspect of how to live together. It is not an apology that has been accepted once offered. Rather, it is about the process of coming together—a conscious choice that the future will be better if we work through difficulties and differences with an openness to hearing about, and responding to, the harm that has occurred.” Treaty Commissioner George E. Lafond
(Policy Options. Feb. 1, 2013)
George E. Lafond was Saskatchewan’s most recent Treaty Commissioner with his term ending in 2016.
During his time with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner, George moved forward the concept of reconciliation. He believes reconciliation is a key theme for the work of this generation of leaders and that building a common understanding of the Treaty relationship, Treaty history and the spirit and intent of Treaties is at the core of what reconciliation means.
Lafond is a member of the Muskeg Lake (Treaty 6) Cree Nation in Saskatchewan. He has been involved in community development and service including in recreation at the band level, teaching high school in Saskatoon, and has been both the elected Tribal and Vice-Tribal Chief for the Saskatoon Tribal Council.
We Are All Treaty People
