Treaty Land Sharing Network Launches in the Alberta Side of Treaty Six

On Saturday July 6th the Treaty Land Sharing Network (TLSN) officially expanded into the western half of Treaty Six territory — also known as central Alberta. Eighty people gathered on Brenda Bohmer’s beautiful 640 acre farm near Bawlf to welcome the TLSN into this region.

A circle of people in a field gathering at the event — Participants gathered in a circle to hear speakers talk about Treaty and the history of the TLSN

The TLSN is a grassroots group of farmers, ranchers, and other landholders who have come together to begin the crucial work of honouring Treaties. In the spirit of sharing the land, members provide access for First Nations and Métis people to practice their way of life, such as hunting or gathering plants and medicines, or holding ceremony on the land. Over the past three years, the Treaty Land Sharing Network has grown to include 52 locations and 37,000 acres across Treaty Four and Six in Saskatchewan.

Close up of two people talking while sitting on the ground — Participants got a chance to meet each other and share stories

“I remember when I first read the Western Producer Article about the Treaty Land Sharing Network that started in Saskatchewan. The idea resonated with me, so when I heard there was a trial here in Alberta, I wanted to learn more about it. Fast forward to today. It feels very special for me to host this launch event for Alberta Treaty Land Sharing Network.”
– Brenda Bohmer, land holder in Treaty 6

Woman speaks into a microphone in front of a crowd of people — Land holder Brenda Bohmer shares about her relationship to the land that participants gathered on

The gathering began with a Pipe Ceremony led by Elder Bert Bull of Louis Bull Tribe and Elder Alsena White of Saddle Lake Cree Nation. Elder Bert then sang a flag raising song as Brenda raised the Treaty Six flag on her farmyard flagpole.

A woman raises a Treaty 6 flag on a flag post — Elder Bert Bull sings a flag raising song while Brenda Bohmer raises the Treaty 6 flag

The rest of the day included a delicious lunch prepared by Janet Potts (Samson Cree Nation), as well as presentations about Treaty and the TLSN from Amy Seesequasis (Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation), Knowledge Keeper Shirley Wolf-Keller (Fishing Lake First Nation), Josh Littlechild (Ermineskin Cree Nation) and TLSN members Rod McLaren and Doyle Wiebe. The gathering concluded with a walk of the land to the edge of the farm, where Brenda posted Alberta’s first TLSN sign welcoming Indigenous land users onto the land.

Two women speaking to the gathering — Amy Seesequasis (Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation) and Knowledge Keeper Shirley Wolf-Keller (Fishing Lake First Nation) speak about Treaty and the history of the TLSN

“Attending the Treaty Land Sharing Network opening in Alberta has been an incredible experience as a treaty hunter and land user. I’m thrilled at the opportunity to exercise my treaty hunting rights on this land. This event not only allows me to engage in traditional practices but also to foster deeper understandings about treaty rights with fellow land users. It’s an exciting time to connect, learn, and share the significance of these rights and their impact on our connection to the land.”
– Josh Littlechild, Ermineskin Cree Nation

The TLSN’s expansion into the Alberta side of Treaty Six has been motivated by interest and support from Indigenous people and landholders in this region. So far, three landholders — including Brenda — have joined the TLSN in Alberta, and more are expected to sign up in the coming weeks and months.

A family poses with their Treaty Land Sharing Network sign — Land holders in Treaty 6 joined the Treaty Land Sharing Network and picked up their a sign to post on the land

If you would like to include the land you steward in the TLSN or are an Indigenous person who would like to access these lands, then please visit treatylandsharingnetwork.ca or email alberta@treatylandsharingnetwork.ca.

Thank you to UFA, Edmonton Community Foundation, Land Stewardship Centre, and Western Varieties for sponsoring this event.