Bill McKnight, well-known as Saskatchewan's third Treaty Commissioner, died at the age of 79 following a sudden illness on Oct. 4, 2019. (Wikipedia) 

By paNOW Staff

passing of an ally and advocate

Former MP and Treaty Commissioner Bill McKnight remembered

Oct 7, 2019 | 12:41 PM

The Muskeg Lake Cree Nation is mourning the death of Bill McKnight, well-known as Saskatchewan’s third Treaty Commissioner. McKnight died following a sudden illness on Friday. He was 79 years old.

While in the role of Treaty Commissioner from 2007 to 2012, McKnight added a kindergarten to Grade 12 treaty resource guide in all the province’s schools.

Before that, McKnight was in federal politics, serving as Progressive Conservative Party MP for Kindersley–Lloydminster from 1979 to 1993. He was also minister of Indian Affairs from 1986-1989.

He played a major part in the creation of the 1992 Saskatchewan Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement, which identified 2.5 million acres of land to enhance economic opportunities for First Nations in the province.

In addition to being appointed to the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, McKnight was also Honourary Chief of the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, a title he received in 1988. He was given the name Eagle Feather.

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Honourary Chief kihiw mîkwan, Bill McNight, seated front right with the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation leadership in this photo taken in September 2018 at the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Asimakaniseekan Askiy land.
Back row from left, Saskatoon Tribal Chief Mark Arcand, Chief Wallace Tawpisim, Mayor Charlie Clark, Chief Harry Lafond, Chief George E. Lafond, Chief Cliff Tawpisin.
Front row from left, Chief Kelly Wolfe, Chief Leonard Ledoux. (submitted photo/Muskeg Lake Cree Nation)

“He wasn’t a man to do things just because the laws or policies were there, he tried to see beyond that,” former chief and current council member Harry Lafond told paNOW. “He saw the potential of everything he had to deal with and that was a powerful character trait.”

In a media release Monday, the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation said McKnight distinguished himself as a trusted ally and advocate for First Nations people.

“The relationship and respect between McKnight and the Muskeg Lake was built on his commitment and effort to working in partnership with First Nations peoples,” the statement said.

Muskeg Lake Cree Nation Chief Kelly Wolfe said McKnight “took the time to understand our history and our hopes for the future.”

McKnight’s efforts on Treaty Land Entitlement resulted in Muskeg Lake acquiring land in Saskatoon, the first time a First Nation purchased land within an urban setting specifically for economic purposes.

“Mr. McKnight lived with the spirit of reconciliation long before the rest of Canada was ready to do so,” Lafond said.

A boardroom bearing his name is at the Muskeg Lake health centre, which Lafond said is a permanent reminder of his contributions to the community.

—With files from CJME News

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panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow