'We've kept our treaty promises': First Nations' leaders say time for action, not words

Actions speak louder than words that's the message some Albertan Indigenous peoples are conveying to the prime minister on the anniversary ofthe signing of Treaty 7.

The original treaty document has been on display at Fort Calgary for months, but members from Alberta First Nations gathered at Fort Calgary on Friday where the Elbow and Bow rivers meet to commemorate the signing back in 1877.

The 140th anniversary of the signingfalls just days after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gave aspeech to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, addressingCanada's failure in its relationships with Indigenous people.

"I think its actually time we stood up and took responsibility for the terrible mistakes of the past," Trudeautold the General Assembly on Thursday.

• Canada is 'work in progress,' Justin Trudeau tells UN General Assembly

Instead of addressing a global crisis, Trudeauused the opportunity to focus ondomesticissues facing Indigenous peoplesa move some in southern Alberta'sIndigenouscommunity see as a positive step towards reconciliation, while others just heard more empty words.

"For me, personally, it's been said before over and over and actions speak louder than words," said Brandon Holloway from Chiniki First Nation, part of the Stoney Nation.

In thespeech,TrudeaudescribedCanada as a "work in progress" whilehighlightingthe struggles withgender-based violence in theIndigenouscommunity,alack of safe drinking water and affordable housing on reserves.

• Original Treaty 7 document on public display at Fort Calgary

"We've heard a lot of rhetoric about a lot of different issues from the government, but we still haven't seen the action to follow those words," saidBill Snow, consultation manager with Stoney Tribal Administration.

"And we've heard a lot of that over the years, not just from this Prime Minister."

Linda McLean, president and CEO of Fort Calgary, said Trudeau's"self-criticism" ofthe "basic needs issues" facing the Canada's Indigenouscommunity was a welcomed change from world leaderspointing fingers at developing countries for human rights issues.

"I think it's definitely both applause and some questions about when will we start to see some meaningful, tangible action on the ground," McLean said.

A living document

The original Treaty 7 document is on loan from the National Archives and has been on display at Fort Calgary since June 19. The treatywill be open to public viewing untilOct. 9.

McLean said the site of Fort Calgary was used byIndigenouspeoples for ceremonies long before theRCMPbuilt the fort.

Signed at Blackfoot Crossing on the Siksikareserveby the Tsuut'ina, Blackfoot and Stoney Nations, Snow said the display of the documentoffers an opportunity to share knowledge of the past with the next generation of Indigenous people.

It's also a chance to commemorate not celebratethe significance of the peace treatybetween the government and the Indigenouscommunity, Snow said.

"We've kept our treaty promises and we live by them, and it's important that we continue to do that and to remember all those who came before us."

McLean said the treaty is "the founding document of southern Alberta" and "every Canadian should be frustrated" with human rights issues on reserves.

"So I think it does call upon all of us to understand what this document represents that it's in fact a living document," McLeansaid.

"It still applies today and the promises that were made ought to be honoured."

'We can make a difference together'

A pipe ceremony was held to commemorate the signing, just like one in 1977 to commemorate the100th anniversary.

Troy Patenaude, manager of special events and visitor experiences at Fort Calgary, brokered the deal to bring Treaty 7 back to Alberta, and said he was inspired by Canada 150 celebrations to tell a side of Canada's story that "wasn't being recognized."

"150 years of confederation also means 150 years of cultural genocide and oppression,"Patenaude said.

"We can make a difference and come together, start talking about these really hard things in a way where we can start changing the story for our future generations."

Hank Snow,council member for Wesley First Nationuncle to Bill Snow, echoedPatenaude's comments, saying it's time for both sides towork together andtake action.

"This was our country.Now our resources are extracted,now we live in a third world country right inside Canada and we have been for a long time," Hank said.

"We have to make an effort to make sure that there's a good understanding between the two of us [on] how we can move ahead."

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