Introducing Elder Danny Musqua, of the Saulteaux Keeseekoose First Nation on Treaty 4 territory, speaking to the importance of treaty education.
Transcript:
Treaties are very important to First nations people and non-First Nations people alike.
When the treaties were agreed to over 100 years ago, they established a permanent relationship between First Nations and all newcomers.
The treaties addressed many areas of concern to both parties, that is why this is vitally important into understanding each other and making progress together.
The government of Saskatchewan has made treaty education mandatory in its classrooms from K to 12. I’m proud to say that I have been personally involved in the development of treaty education at the Office of the Treaty Commissioner for nearly 15 years.
I firmly believe that the program will help our province be more productive and combat racism.
I commend the University of Saskatchewan for making Aboriginal education a priority in its five-year plan.
Elder Danny Musqua (Biography taken from the Office of the Treaty Commissioner website)
Born to Nellie Brass (Keys First Nation) and Roy Musqua (Keeseekoose First Nation) on the Keeseekoose reserve May 29th, 1937. In addition to being an Elder in residence for the Office of the Treaty Commissioner, Danny is an Instructor and Elder in residence at the First Nations University of Canada (FNUC).
Danny’s greatest inspiration came from his father Roy Musqua and his uncle John Tootoosis. They taught me about treaties, the meaning of treaties as well as the spirit and intent. They taught me to be proud as a people and to never forget that we had an agreement with the Crown. They taught me that it was very important to keep learning about treaties and so I did. One of the greatest things is that I’m part of the Teaching Treaties in the Classroom, which I’m so proud to teach about our treaties.
Danny is married to Thelma Musqua, originally from the Waywayseecappo Reserve. They had 12 children of which three are now deceased. They have 30 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.(1)
Although the OTC website states that Elder Danny Musqua is providing Elder services, he retired from active public duties in 2014.
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