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Kevin Seesequasis. (Submitted photo/ Kevin Seesequasis)
Federal monuments

‘It deserves a lot more attention and respect than it’s been given’: Beardy’s councillor commits to restoration of historic monument

Oct 16, 2019 | 12:02 PM

A historic monument outside Fort Carlton Provincial Park is showing its age and a band councillor at Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation is calling on the federal government to do something about it.

The cairn, which recognizes the signing of Treaty 6, was raised in 1927, but Kevin Seesequasis told paNOW the fence is rusted out and the grass is unkempt.

“It’s really sad and unfortunate that it’s been allowed to get that way,” he said.

Seesequasis added there is no longer a dedication plaque on the cairn and said that speaks volumes to a lack of care.

“Where is that plaque? Why was it taken down or removed or stolen?” he asked.

The Treaty 6 monument outside Fort Carlton Provincial Park has seen better days. (submitted photo/ Kevin Seesequasis)

Treaty 6 was originally signed in 1871 and represents an agreement between the Crown, the Plains and Woods Cree, Assiniboine and other band governments at Fort Carlton and Fort Pitt. Seesequasis said the monument represents a pivotal moment in the foundation of Canada’s history.

“Treaty 6 is not just an agreement between nations, it’s also enabled the west to be settled and allowed Canada to be the country it is today,” he said

Seesequasis took it upon himself last weekend to start cleaning up the site, and now plans to erect a new Treaty 6 flag at the site in the coming month.

paNOW learned the plaque is the responsibility of the National Historic Sites and Monuments Board, which is managed by Parks Canada. At the time this story was published, no one from Parks Canada was available for comment.

Seesequasis explained the most unfortunate part of it all is that in the monument’s current state, unless someone did some research, there is no indication why the monument is there or what it represents.

“I’d like for the government to acknowledge that this is an important part of our history and it deserves a lot more attention and respect than it’s been given,” he said.

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

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