Local Métis and First Nations Milestones

This Story Map is a snapshot highlighting important milestones and achievements that have shaped our city. It emphasizes the significant contributions of the City of Saskatoon, the First Nation and Métis communities that call this land home, their local organizations, and non-profits. This is not a comprehensive list—organizations and legislation continue to change.

By chronicling these events, we aim to recognize the built relationships between the municipality and Indigenous peoples while also showcasing the meaningful work of various local groups and organizations. From founding vital community organizations to establishing significant legal and cultural milestones that impact our City, each entry in the timeline tells a story of resilience, collaboration, and progress.  

Treaty 6 is one of the eleven Numbered Treaties. The Treaty was negotiated between representatives of the Queen of England and the Cree and Stoney First Nations. It was signed at Fort Carlton and Duck Lake on August 23rd and at Fort Pitt on September 8th, 1876. Eleven subsequent adhesions of individual Bands have been added since the initial signings. 

Treaty 6 encompasses over 300,000 km ²  across what is now Alberta and Saskatchewan. Like the other Numbered Treaties, the written version of Treaty 6 includes provisions for the surrender of First Nations’ land title in exchange for assistance in transitioning to an agricultural economy; reserve territories equivalent to one square mile per family of five; the building of on-reserve schools; annuity payments of $5.00 per person; a “medicine chest” for the benefit of each Band; and guarantees for relief in the event of famine or pestilence. 

Despite the inclusion in Treaty 6 that First Nations “do hereby cede, release, surrender and yield up to the Government of the Dominion of Canada…all their rights, titles and privileges”, there is no indication that the surrender of land rights was ever discussed or explained during negotiations.

The region that is now called Saskatchewan is the traditional territory of several First Nations who occupied, stewarded, and were nourished by the land for thousands of years. Following European contact and the establishment of Upper and Lower Canada, fur traders began penetrating the vast wilderness to the northwest, which was subsequently claimed by the British Crown as “Rupert’s Land”. From 1670 to 1870, Rupert’s Land was the exclusive commercial domain of the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC). In 1869, Rupert’s Land was sold by HBC to the British Crown and transferred to the Government of Canada, thus creating the Northwest Territory.

Following the Crown’s negotiation of the Numbered Treaties with First Nations, some western leaders sought to confederate the Northwest Territory as one large province in 1900. The Government of Canada objected, and in 1905 the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta were created. 

The City of Saskatoon was formed from three separate settlements that amalgamated on May 26th, 1906. These three settlements were Saskatoon, Nutana, and Riversdale.  

The original Temperance Colony began their settlement, Saskatoon, in 1883 on the east side of the river. The colony’s leaders lobbied for a rail connection to the newly finished Canadian Pacific Rail line (1885), and a station was opened in 1890 on the west side of the river. A train bridge was then built to connect the east and west side of the river. 

The newly built station spurred nearby development, and the west side began to grow rapidly. The settlers surveyed a new town site with the train station at its centre, and the west settlement achieved village status in 1901. The village kept the name Saskatoon, and the original settlement on the east side of the river became Nutana. 

The Riversdale village (1903) emerged when Barr colonists, on the way to Lloydminster, arrived by train in Saskatoon. Some of these colonists remained behind and settled on the west side of the railway, forming the village of Riversdale.  

Representatives from each settlement met in 1905 to discuss an amalgamation. They unanimously agreed, and steps were taken to achieve City status, which was granted in 1906. 

To learn more about the City's history, visit the  history page  on the City of Saskatoon website.

The Saskatoon Indian and Métis Friendship Centre (SIMFC) is a non-profit organization that has operated in the city’s downtown since 1968. Its mission is to support First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultural distinctiveness by providing community development services that holistically support people of all ages.

SIMFC was created out of the Friendship Centre Movement to serve the needs of rapidly growing urban Indigenous populations in the 1950s. There are now more than one hundred friendship centres located across Canada, and SIMFC has served the urban Indigenous community of Saskatoon for more than 50 years.

The SIMFC has a large portfolio of cultural and community-based programs ranging from family support to youth programming. It also participates in, partners with, and hosts various community events throughout the year, including National Indigenous Peoples Day and communal Round Dances. SIMFC was mentioned in numerous categories of the 2013-2014 Kitaskinaw: An Environmental Scan of Programs and Services serving Aboriginal People in Saskatoon report as one of the Indigenous community’s most important programs/services/resources.

Visit the SIMFC  website  and  Facebook page  to learn more.

The Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI) is an education, employment training, and cultural institute founded in 1980. Their mission is to “promote the renewal and development of Métis culture through research; materials development, collection, and distribution; and the design, development, and delivery of Métis-specific educational programs and services.”

The Saskatchewan-based institute grew out of a Métis cultural conference that was held in 1976. A report from the Association of Métis and Non-Status Indians of Saskatchewan (AMNSIS), which is one of the predecessors to the current Métis Nation – Saskatchewan, outlined the need to establish a Métis cultural college. The Gabriel Dumont Institute was then established in 1980.

The two core foundations of GDI are education and training for the Métis people of Saskatchewan and the preservation and promotion of Métis culture. The Institute’s education courses include university-level courses, skills training, and basic education programs offered at various locations throughout the province. GDI preserves and promotes Métis culture through publicly available online resources and archives for the community. It also partners with the Métis Cultural Development Fund, which supports community-based activities and initiatives that preserve, strengthen, and transmit Métis culture and traditions.

Visit the  Gabriel Dumont Institute  website to learn more.

The Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) is a regional First Nation government body located in Saskatoon and is responsible for implementing the strategic and political direction of its seven member nations’ Chiefs in Council. STC was originally founded in 1982 and “…is dedicated to creating a respectful environment that inspires and encourages innovation and leadership while building and strengthening partnerships with communities, individuals and organizations.”

STC now represents over 11,000 First Nations people within the Saskatoon region. 

There are five corporations established under the STC umbrella: the Saskatoon Tribal Council Inc., Cress Housing Inc., STC Urban First Nations Services Inc., STC Health & Family Services Inc., and Dakota Dunes Community Development Corporation (DDCDC). Each corporation is responsible for delivering services in various areas of expertise ranging from housing to healthcare, justice, education, economic development, and community programming. 

In addition to its corporations, STC has also developed strategic partnerships with SaskEnergy, the Okiciyapi Educational Partnership with Saskatoon Public School and the Central Urban Métis Federation Inc., the Mamwohkamatowin Partnership with the Saskatoon Greater Catholic Schoolboard, Edwards School of Business and Junior Achievement of Saskatchewan, the Saskatoon Health Region, PotashCorp (now Nutrien), and several Legacy Partnerships with various businesses. 

Learn more about the Saskatoon Tribal Council by  visiting their website .

The Muskeg Lake Cree Nation (MLCN) Urban Reserve, asimakaniseekan askiy, is the first commercial urban reserve in Canada, and the first urban reserve within Saskatoon. The land is located in the Sutherland neighbourhood, and it officially became a reserve on October 1 ^st , 1988. The urban reserve is now a large commercial hub with over 50 businesses.

This urban reserve is unique as it predates the current Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) Framework Agreement. The TLE Framework Agreement was created in 1992 to resolve the Crown’s outstanding obligations to First Nations, who did not receive all of the Reserve Land to which they were entitled under Treaty.

Negotiations for the Urban Reserve took place over several years. The original claim was filed in 1984, but there was concern from the Federal government regarding jurisdiction over municipal services. Muskeg Lake Cree Nation would have to first negotiate an agreement with the City of Saskatoon for fees for municipal services, bylaw compatibility, and dispute resolution as per the Federal Government’s criteria. The Municipal Services Agreement negotiation took another two years to complete. It is the first of its kind in Canada between a municipality and a First Nation.

Funding, servicing, and access were additional issues that would be resolved years following the creation of the reserve. The land purchased by MLCN was unserviced, and funding was needed to develop the area. Muskeg Lake eventually found its lender for development, Peace Hills Trust, an Alberta-based bank owned by Samson Cree Nation, and construction began for the McKnight Commercial Centre. MLCN paid for utility connections to nearby existing amenities and road connections to College Drive. The road connection to 105 ^th  Street came years later and was partially funded by the City of Saskatoon.

The promotional video above features a panel discussion with leadership from Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and the City of Saskatoon who were directly involved with establishing the urban reserve.  

This video is being shared with you on behalf of the project team and the leadership from Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and the City of Saskatoon.

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner (OTC) was created by the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) and the Government of Canada in 1989. The OTC was created through one of three agreements negotiated between the Federal Government and the FSIN during a three-day Chiefs Conference held at Beardy’s & Okemasis First Nation on June 6th-8th, 1989. The two main issues discussed at the time were Treaty Land Entitlement and Treaty education, and the OTC was established as an independent office to facilitate a resolution process by navigating the FSIN’s and Canada’s differing views on Treaties. Cliff Wright, former mayor of Saskatoon, was later announced as the first Treaty Commissioner and was instrumental in developing the Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement in 1992.

The OTC’s mission is “to support the bi-lateral Treaty Table process between the Government of Canada and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, and, second, to advocate for and build a strong relationship between First Nations and non First Nations people in Saskatchewan to ensure an effective response among Saskatchewan citizens to support a shared destiny.” 

The OTC has continued to assist in the resolution of outstanding Treaty issues between the FSIN and the Government of Canada regarding lands and resources, First Nation citizenship and its relation to First Nations governance, justice, education and child welfare, and health. The OTC has also developed K-12 education material for teachers across Saskatchewan to facilitate Treaty learning, and it hosts numerous workshops and events to promote reconciliation and further Treaty education across the province. 

Learn more about the Office of the Treaty Commissioner by  visiting their website .

Wanuskewin is a National Historic Site located north of Saskatoon. The Wanuskewin Heritage Park Interpretation Centre celebrated its grand opening on June 27 ^th , 1992, however, the land has been used by various Plains First Nations for over 6000 years.

The site is home to the longest archaeological dig in Canada: it started in 1982. Since its first dig, they have found evidence that supports Indigenous occupation in the area. This includes where Indigenous peoples used to conduct bison jumps, a constructed medicine wheel and leftover artifacts like bows and arrows and pottery. It later became a Provincial Heritage Site in 1984, then was designated as a National Historic Site in 1987 by Queen Elizabeth II herself. The site is currently seeking UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) World Heritage status.

Learn more about Wanuskewin by visiting  their website .

The Central Urban Métis Federation Incorporated (CUMFI) is a non-profit organization that supports urban Métis residents. CUMFI’s mandate is to ensure that the voice of Métis people is heard at the municipal level within Saskatoon and area.

CUMFI is a Métis Local, which is the most basic entity under the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan governance system. It has its own elected leadership, a board of directors, and represents over 6000 members in the Saskatoon Region.

Housing and support services are a large portfolio of CUMFI’s work in the community. The Coming Home Program, Round Prairie Elders’ Lodge, and Mobile Housing and Community Resource Centre (CUMFI bus) are a few of the many programs offered that are vital resources to the urban Indigenous community. CUMFI is also involved in numerous partnerships, community events, and hosts Métis Cultural Days annually in September. CUMFI was mentioned in several categories of the 2013-2014 Kitaskinaw: An Environmental Scan of Programs and Services serving Aboriginal People in Saskatoon report as one of the most important programs/services/resources for Indigenous residents. More details on this report can be found on the  City of Saskatoon website .

Visit the  CUMFI website  to learn more about the organization.

The Métis Nation - Saskatchewan (MN-S) is the culmination of various Métis organizations that date back to the 1930s including its predecessor, the Association of Métis and Non-Status Indians of Saskatchewan (AMNSIS). The MN-S is a federally recognized government body representing the Métis at a provincial level. Its constitution, established on December 3, 1993, created a governance structure that includes the Métis Nation Legislative Assembly, the Métis Provincial Council, the 12 individual Regions and their collective Regional Council, and the Métis locals and their respective elected leadership. 

The Métis Nation Legislative assembly is composed of the Provincial Métis Council, the MN-S Executive, the Presidents of the elected registered locals, four representatives of the Métis Women of Saskatchewan, and four representatives of the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan Youth Council. Additional roles of the Métis National Legislative Assembly include the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, the Clerk, the Senate, and Dumont’s Scout.

The Métis Nation – Saskatchewan is comprised of 12 regions, and each region is governed by a Regional Council. Saskatoon is a part of the MN-S Western Region 2A. There are four Métis Locals that serve Saskatoon: Saskatoon Métis Local 126, Gabriel Dumont Local 11, Victoria Racette Local 11a, and Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. (CUMFI) Local 165. 

Learn more about Métis Nation - Saskatchewan by  visiting their website .

In 2001, the Government of Saskatchewan and the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan signed the Métis Act; a provincial statute that recognizes the contributions of the Métis to the development and prosperity of Canada. The Métis Act also recognizes the political aspirations of the Métis by establishing a bilateral process for elected leaders of the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan to negotiate with the Government of Saskatchewan as an equal partner. It also incorporates the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan Secretariat Inc. as an administrative body to carry out the policies and programs of the MN-S, thereby distinguishing the MN-S as a self-governing entity and not simply a non-profit corporation that provides programs and services. 

From June 21st to 24th, 2012, Saskatoon hosted one of seven national events of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC). For four days, survivors of Canada’s Indian Residential Schools provided private and public testimony to the TRC Commissioners about their experience of being forced to attend the schools. The event was held at Prairieland Park and Diefenbaker Park, and a sacred fire was lit and maintained in nearby Exhibition Park. 

Testimony from the Saskatoon TRC Hearing contributed to the Commission’s Final Report and 94 Calls to Action entitled Honouring the Truth, Reconciling the Future. The Report documents the tragic experiences of approximately 150,000 residential school students, many of whom suffered abuse while attending the schools and subsequently became disconnected from their families, native languages, traditional ways of life, and home communities. 

Learn more about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission here at the  National Centre of Truth and Reconciliation .

The wicihitowin Indigenous Engagement conferences were a series of annual conferences that ran from 2015 to 2022. The conference got its start in 2014 when a group of Saskatchewan Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations came together with the common purpose of honouring Survivors of the residential school system and sixties scoop and supporting the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. The word wicihitowin means “to help each other/to work together” in Cree/Saulteaux. 

The first conference was held on November 17th and 18th, 2015. It was a great success and was filled to capacity at 300 people, while another 300 had to be turned away. Each subsequent conference had a general theme, such as Bearing Witness, the 7 Teachings, and Honouring the Late Walter Linklater. The organizational partnerships varied from year to year and include the City of Saskatoon, the United Way, Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Health Region, Reconciliation Saskatoon, and Johnson Shoyama Institute of Public Policy, among others. 

Video archives of available on  their website  to watch past speakers and presentations.

In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report, Saskatoon’s City Council unanimously declared a “Year of Reconciliation” beginning on July 1, 2015. The motion called on City Administration to work with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner and other community groups, leaders, and institutions in Saskatchewan to promote reconciliation. The City identified several of the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action that apply directly and indirectly to municipal levels of government. In October 2015 the City of Saskatoon released “The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action Report and The City of Saskatoon’s Response”, which highlights municipal strategies and an action plan to implement the TRC’s Calls to Action. 

The City of Saskatoon adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) on September 26 ^th , 2022. UNDRIP is a non-binding resolution passed by the UN General Assembly in 2007 and outlines the rights of Indigenous peoples around the world. UNDRIP adoption is #43 of the 92 Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action: Fully adopt and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as the framework for reconciliation.

The initial draft declaration started in 1982 and took nearly 25 years to negotiate. Although passed by the UN General Assembly in 2007, Canada was one of four nations that voted against adopting UNDRIP. All four countries have since reversed their decision and currently support the declaration. This does not include the list of countries that either were absent or abstained during the vote.

Canada’s adoption of UNDRIP first started with an endorsement in 2010 and was later fully supported by the newly elected Liberal government in 2016. A private Member’s bill was introduced to implement UNDRIP that same year, but eventually failed to pass just before the 2019 summer adjournment. However, a new bill was introduced to adopt UNDRIP, utilizing the original Bill as a foundation. It later became federal law in June of 2021.