150 years of Treaty 4 to be commemorated at annual gathering in Sask.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 4 by the leaders of the Cree and Saulteaux First Nations and the representatives of Queen Victoria.

Alana Starr said the milestone is an opportunity to look back.

"It makes you reflect on your ancestors, the sacrifices, the atrocities, all those pieces to get to where we are today," said Starr, who will be leading activities at an event commemorating the anniversary.

For the last 30 years, an annual gathering in Fort Qu'Appelle, about 65 kilometres northeast of Regina, has recognized the signing of Treaty 4, which took place on Sept. 15, 1874. This year's event runs from Sept. 9 to 15, and has a theme of reflecting on the spirit and strength of our ancestors while moving forward to fulfil their vision. 

The main location is at the Treaty 4 grounds in Fort Qu'Appelle, but other locations like Yorkton and Balcarres will also host events.

The week-long gathering will open with a feast and feature workshops, a parade, a climate action forum and a dry dance, and end with a two-day powwow.

To start the week there will be a pipe ceremony, which will be held daily at the Treaty 4 Grounds, and a feast to follow.

There will be daily student activities, with schools invited to bring children to participate.

Starr will be overseeing this year's youth activities.

"A lot of people are coming out to set up and do different activities with the students for different age levels," she said. "It'll be good. Awesome."

Starr highlighted an exciting new part of the event this year: a reenactment of the signing of Treaty 4.

"It'll bring out the people, the students that day," said Starr.

"There's that educational awareness piece that shines through."

She said she expects about 1,700 students to attend over the course of the event.

"Oh, it'll be fun. This place will be packed. It will be buzzing. There'll be so many youth of all ages, from schools all across the southern part of the province, learning what it means … to be a part of this treaty relationship," Starr said.

Other associated events include a fastball tournament at Rambler Park in Regina and a golf tournament at the Deer Park Golf Course in Yorkton, to be hosted on both Friday and Saturday.

A dry dance in Balcarres at the community hall on Thursday will feature the fiddle group Midnight Mist, with jigging and a broom dance.

LISTEN | This week marks 150 since the signing of Treaty 4 in what is now Fort Qu'Appelle. We used this opportunity to dig into the significance of this and a check-in on how we are doing as a country at upholding our treaty obligations.

Blue Sky49:35Treaty 4 was signed 150 years ago. Here's why it matters today.

To end the week there will be a two-day traditional powwow hosted by Crooked Lake Agency Nations.

The event is open to everyone.