The City of Yorkton will fly the Treaty 4 flag at City Hall June 21 to mark the contribution of First Nations people to the city.
The request for the flag raising was made at the regular meeting of Yorkton Council by Isabel O’Soup Tribal Chief of the Yorkton Tribal Council which represents six First Nations under Treaty 4.
“I believe it is my responsibility to honour my ancestor’s agreement made nearly a century and a half ago,” stated O’Soup in a circulated letter.
“In turn a flag raising ceremony would enkindle a sense of pride and demonstrate the respect between the different levels of government and First Nations people. It would also display the strength of diversity and togetherness in which this country was built,” she said in a presentation to Council.
As background, the Treaty was established between Queen Victoria and the Cree, Assiniboine and Saulteaux First Nation bands.
“The area covered by Treaty 4 represents most of the southern Saskatchewan with the additions of small portions of western Manitoba and southeastern Alberta. This treaty is also called the “Qu’Appelle Treaty” as its first signings were conducted at Fort Qu’Appelle on September 15, 1874,” said O’Soup.
In addition O’Soup requested the flag remain flying at City Hall, but that part of her request was not approved, but was turned over to City Administration for a future report on what impact that decision might have given the number of flag requests the City receives.
