Cold Lake First Nations (CLFN) held its annual Treaty Days celebration at English Bay over the weekend.
Treaty Days commemorates the signing of Treaty Six between the Crown and several First Nations at Fort Pitt, Saskatchewan in 1876. The treaty commits the Crown to uphold certain rights for signatory First Nations and their members in exchange for permission to share the use of traditional lands.
CLFN’s Treaty Days serve as a homecoming and a reunion, with food, entertainment, games, and other activities all weekend long.
The newly-elected chief and council took their oaths of office at the Treaty Days opening ceremony on Friday. Kelsey Jacko won the recent election for chief. In the subsequent election for six councillors, CLFN members elected Loretta Angnaluak (Muskego); Deion Blackman; Jacinta Janvier; Bernice Martial; Travis Matchatis; and Eliza Minoose-Flores.
As chief, Jacko had a feather bonnet placed on his head. He and the councillors were presented with individualized star blankets, with each design reflecting a traditional core value.