HUMBOLDT — A Treaty 6 medal installation ceremony gave students at Humboldt's St. Dominic School a chance to learn about treaty relationships and the need for reconciliation.
The ceremony took place on May 27.
"There was a realization within our community – within our province and across the country – that we needed to know more about treaties, residential schools, and historical relationships with Indigenous peoples in Canada to move forward," said Chad Knaus, St. Dominic's principal, in a media release. "We are able to bring in the expertise of our elders, knowledge keepers and members of the division’s First Nations Métis and Inuit education team to come in and guide us, to share, and to walk along with us in the journey."
Joining the students at the ceremony were Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Board of Education Chair Diane Boyko, as well as community leaders from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, the Office of the Treaty Commissioner, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the City of Humboldt.
"From a Catholic perspective, we incorporated the act of reconciliation – with ourselves, others and with God – in making sure we take care of our brothers and sisters," Knaus said. "We undertook studying and learning more about treaties. We brought in speakers to come and share their knowledge of treaties and how we can grow in understanding of our own treaty relationships."
Throughout the ceremony, St. Dominic students shared what they had learned – First Nations and Métis cultures and histories, the spirit and intent of treaties, treaty relationships, treaty promises and provisions, and the historical context of treaties – through music, dance, art and various presentations.
Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools said it plans to install Treaty 6 medal at all 50 of its schools in the coming years.
