Treaty 6 signing marks a century and a half
Dashayne Morin shared his cultural traditions and drumming in the tipi. The tipi was set up to showcase what life in there would have looked like historically.
By Adan Shaikh
The community gathered at the Camrose and District Centennial Museum to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 6.
Creators and curators of the Powwow! Ohcîwin The Origins exhibit, Marrisa and Patrick Mitsuing opened the celebration by sharing the significance of the signing.
“A few generations before me, so my three-times great-grandmother, she lived in Rocky Boy, Montana. Word travelled to her that the treaty signing negotiations were taking place. She had some family in Rocky Boy, but her home community was on Treaty 6 in Red Pheasant, Saskatchewan,” shared Marrisa.
“Her and a small group of other Cree People decided to make their way back up to Red Pheasant,” she added.
Marrisa’s great-grandmother was blind and quite old, however, all she needed to lead her people back to home was her memory, because that is how well she knew the land.
She highlighted the many contributions of Indigenous women that often don’t get told, and the tremendous efforts and sacrifices they have made to what we now know as Canada.
After the opening remarks from the couple, Diane Gardipy shared information of tipi raising and how the simple structure is put together to provide shelter. Guest volunteers helped set up what Patrick called “the first mobile home Canada’s ever seen.”
After the raising, Mitsuings walked the guests through the Powwow! Ohcîwin The Origins exhibit that is currently on display at the Museum, attendees had the opportunity to ask questions directly and learn about the different dances, their origin and what they signify in the Indigenous culture.
After the presentation, Mitsuings and their group performed powwow dancing, including traditional, jingle and fancy dance styles.
To close the ceremonies, all guests were asked to join the group and dance together to celebrate that they are all Treaty people.
By Adan Shaikh
The community gathered at the Camrose and District Centennial Museum to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 6.
Creators and curators of the Powwow! Ohcîwin The Origins exhibit, Marrisa and Patrick Mitsuing opened the celebration by sharing the significance of the signing.
“A few generations before me, so my three-times great-grandmother, she lived in Rocky Boy, Montana. Word travelled to her that the treaty signing negotiations were taking place. She had some family in Rocky Boy, but her home community was on Treaty 6 in Red Pheasant, Saskatchewan,” shared Marrisa.
“Her and a small group of other Cree People decided to make their way back up to Red Pheasant,” she added.
Marrisa’s great-grandmother was blind and quite old, however, all she needed to lead her people back to home was her memory, because that is how well she knew the land.
She highlighted the many contributions of Indigenous women that often don’t get told, and the tremendous efforts and sacrifices they have made to what we now know as Canada.
After the opening remarks from the couple, Diane Gardipy shared information of tipi raising and how the simple structure is put together to provide shelter. Guest volunteers helped set up what Patrick called “the first mobile home Canada’s ever seen.”
After the raising, Mitsuings walked the guests through the Powwow! Ohcîwin The Origins exhibit that is currently on display at the Museum, attendees had the opportunity to ask questions directly and learn about the different dances, their origin and what they signify in the Indigenous culture.
After the presentation, Mitsuings and their group performed powwow dancing, including traditional, jingle and fancy dance styles.
To close the ceremonies, all guests were asked to join the group and dance together to celebrate that they are all Treaty people.
