Ottawa, Ontario -

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, Bernard Valcourt, today announced the re-appointment of George E. Lafond as Commissioner of the Office of the Treaty Commissioner (OTC) in Saskatchewan.

The Treaty Commission is part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to address treaty issues through co-operative relationships with Treaty First Nations and was created in partnership with First Nation organizations.

The mandate of the Treaty Commissioner, which includes activities such as public education, facilitation and independent research, has been extended to March 31, 2016. This two-year extension will enable continued focus on developing and facilitating productive partnerships, particularly with industry; and cooperation with and between Treaty First Nations, provinces, training/educational institutions and the private sector.

Quick facts

• Treaty Commissioner Mr. Lafond will serve a term of two years, effective April 1, 2014.
• The OTC was first established in June 1989 by Canada and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations.
• A treaty commission is a neutral, arm's-length body that helps facilitate discussions about treaties.
• In Saskatchewan, there are six Numbered Treaties (Treaties 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10) signed between 1871 and 1906. There are 65 Treaty First Nations in the province representing approximately 138,800 First Nation people.
• Appointments to the Commission are made by the Governor in Council and are based on the guiding principles of competency, professionalism and accessibility to all Canadians.

Quotes

“I am pleased to announce the re-appointment of Mr. Lafond as the Commissioner of the Office of the Treaty Commissioner for Saskatchewan who will continue to lead the Commission’s important work to raise public awareness of treaty issues. Canada supports the Commission in building on the tremendous successes such as the public education efforts in making Teaching Treaties in the Classroom mandatory curriculum for K-12 for all schools.”

- Bernard Valcourt, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister