Canada lacks clear funding, plan to commemorate treaties: document

Canadian Heritage is responsible for the planning and funding of historical and cultural events, such as the 150th anniversary of Canada's Confederation.

Many First Nations are preparing to mark significant anniversaries of their treaty relationships with the Crown in coming years, but a government briefing document says Ottawa has no plan to commemorate the treaties.

“Between 2021 and 2027, nine of the 11 numbered treaties will be marking significant anniversaries,” it read.

“Treaty 1 to 7 at 150 years, Treaty 8 at 125 years, and Treaty 11 at 100 years.”

The note was prepared by officials for a top bureaucrat in the department of Crown-Indigenous Relations, which is responsible for settling land claims.

It was released in part to The Canadian Press under federal access-to-information legislation and outlines how the department has been working with Canadian Heritage for the past year, “given the high volume of upcoming treaty anniversaries,” and the fact it’s receiving requests for funding.

Canadian Heritage is responsible for the planning and funding of historical and cultural events, such as the 150th anniversary of Canada’s Confederation.

By way of the treaties, the Canadian government gained access to vast swaths of land for settlement from the Northwest Territories and northern British Columbia through the Prairies and most of Ontario.

In exchange, Indigenous Peoples were provided parcels of reserve land and promised payments and other rights that many First Nations leaders and communities say have never been fully honoured.