Fort commits to accurate portrayal of Indigenous history

Fort Edmonton Management Company has made a commitment to tell the story of Treaty 6 people accurately at Fort Edmonton Park.

“For too long the First Nations in the area had little inclusion in the park and its programs. With the Memorandum of Understanding we signed today, it is our belief that … an avenue for meaningful dialogue has been created,” said Bernice Martial, Grand Chief of Confederacy of Treaty 6 Nations.

The MOU, signed by Martial and FEMCo Chair Doug Goss, and witnessed by Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson, is a commitment to ensure that Treaty 6 is consulted in the creation of First Nations historical and cultural programming as the park moves forward in creating the Indigenous Peoples Experience, which will include a $40 million to $50 million pavilion.

To this point, said Iveson at the Jan. 29 signing ceremony, the park’s history has been “unintentionally” the story of the settlers and colonization.

“(This) is an opportunity for us to fully tell the story of this place to each other and share that story in a rich and authentic way that is built on a foundation of respect more than anything else and that is the spirit that is called forth in Treaty 6,” he said. “I think (this) is a phenomenal step forward for Edmonton.”

The city has also committed $20,000 to Treaty 6 Confederacy for the continuation of research to determine the site where Chiefs signed the adhesion on Aug. 21, 1877. Indications are the adhesion site was either where the Alberta Legislature sits today or just west of that.

Goss said the MOU is a long term commitment that means moving forward with dignity and shared understanding between the park and Treaty 6 people and the partnership was “critical” as the park put funding in place for capital development.

“What we build here is important but I would say much more important is how we build it. What we build we must build together,” he said.

Both Martial and Goss said the partnership being forged could serve as a model for doing business both locally and nationally.

“This is the start of something truly great,” said Goss. “I know this is going to be the foundation for many, many other great things to come.”

“The events of today can serve as an example for the rest of the country,” said Martial, “hopefully lead to further participation and understanding around the treaty.”

Elder John Ermineskin, of the Ermineskin First Nation and chair of the Confederacy Treaty 6 Elders Council, said it was important that the past be left behind and that moving forward was done in a spirit of cooperation.

“We all have to work together, we all have to understand each other. That’s the only way that things will work out for the future,” he said. “If we can’t do that, there’s no future for our kids. So an understanding has to be put in place at all times.”

Photo Caption: Signing and witnessing the Memorandum of Understanding between Treaty 6 and Fort Edmonton Management Company are (front row, from left) Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson, Treaty 6 Grand Chief Bernice Martial, and FEMCo Chair Doug Goss; (back row) Former Chief Allan Paul, Chief Randy Ermineskin, Chief Rusty Threefingers, Chief Ron Morin, Former Chief Brad Rabbit.