Treaty 6 chiefs heading to Buckingham Palace with baby moccasins and an invitation
CBC
It took two years, three letters and a lot of waiting.
A delegation of seven Treaty 6 chiefs is heading to London this week to meet with King Charles, formally inviting him to Saskatchewan for the 150th anniversary of the treaty's signing.
They’re asking the King to come to Saskatchewan in August for the 150th anniversary of the treaty's signing at Fort Carlton, southwest of Prince Albert.
Chief Larry Ahenakew of Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation says he first wrote to the King in November 2024, then again in February 2025, before a response came in December.
"It's going to be exciting for all of us," Ahenakew said. "First time in Europe, myself."
The delegation includes chiefs from Treaty 6 nations across Saskatchewan and Alberta. Ahenakew says each leader will have only a few minutes with the King, so they're making every word count.
"We're trying to make sure of the importance of Treaty 6, the importance of education — and make sure the Crown is upholding that importance of health, make sure they're following up with that in hunting and fishing, and all the other importance of the treaty," he said.
Chief Christine Longjohn of Sturgeon Lake First Nation says the meeting carries deep personal meaning. Her ancestor was the fourth signatory on the original treaty documents.
"It is a very humbling experience to be able to travel to the royal palace and to have an audience with the King," she said.
Longjohn is also bringing a gift: a pair of beaded baby moccasins. But they’re not only a gift — they’re a message.
"These moccasins are rooted with love and prayers for the future generations, and they represent the groundedness that we have with our mother Earth," Longjohn said. "It's very important that we bring these things to light with the King."
She said the August event is a commemoration, not a celebration.
"There are many treaty obligations that still need to be fulfilled," Longjohn said.
The chiefs are set to meet the King on Wednesday.
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