On Oct. 12, team members from the Office of the Treaty Commissioner were pleased to join about 250 people at the Heart of Treaty 6 Reconciliation Gala.

“From the traditional ceremonies that took place throughout the evening, to the speakers that shared their stories, everyone was engaged. I think this event is beneficial as it brings like-minded people with culturally different backgrounds together for an evening, helping with truth and reconciliation,” said OTC student mentor Tori MacDonald.

Rhett Sangster, OTC director, reconciliation and community partnerships spoke during the event, telling the story of how the Heart of Treaty 6 Reconciliation group was first created. Organizations from Lloydminster, Onion Lake First Nation, Poundmaker First Nation, St. Walburg, and Turtleford signed a “Commitment to Relationships and Trust,” and committed to working together through participation in a tobacco ceremony.

The keynote speaker for the event was the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan Russ Mirasty, who spoke about his experience as an Indigenous person attempting to enter the RCMP. He stressed the importance of relationships in advancing truth and reconciliation.

Howie Miller's comedy performance ended the evening with laughs.