New Beginnings: The Treaty Land Sharing Network Expands to Alberta

Treaties are formal agreements between Indigenous nations and the British Crown that define ongoing rights and obligations on all sides, with lasting impacts on justice and reconciliation.

Honouring the spirit and intent of treaties goes beyond mere words and formalities; it is an ongoing commitment that requires intentional, concrete action and a genuine sharing of space aimed at upholding shared obligations and nurturing relationships rooted in respect and reciprocity. A crucial part of this is honouring the land rights of Indigenous peoples.

Unfortunately, historic and more recent tragic events, particularly the death of Colten Boushie and the Gerald Stanley trial in 2018, and the disposition of ‘Crown’ lands where Indigenous people have easier access to their treaty territory than on private lands, have demonstrated that we still have a long way to go to address the danger to and limitations on Indigenous peoples when accessing their ancestral lands. This has ignited urgent and ongoing conversations among landholders and, for many, it became clear that as access to land was diminishing, there was a widespread unawareness - if not outright disregard - of the vital importance of Indigenous peoples' connection to their traditional territories, the practice of their culture and the critical need to heal broken relationships.

In response, a group of farmers and ranchers in Saskatchewan, guided by Indigenous land users, and motivated by a commitment to treaty, came together to challenge the systemic mistreatment of Indigenous peoples. What began as a grassroots movement quickly gained momentum, evolving into a formal network of landholders dedicated to reversing historical (and current) wrongs. In 2019, this collective effort became the Treaty Land Sharing Network (TLSN).

TLSN is a voluntary program where private landholders ensure access for Indigenous peoples to practice their culture and connect with the land in a safe environment. Landholders who are part of TLSN, which is now an official non-profit organization, work to encourage and support Indigenous people in accessing their ancestral lands, acknowledging that these lands were Indigenous territories long before they became private property.

Bob Montgomery, Land Stewardship Centre’s (LSC) Indigenous Engagement Coordinator, along with a group of farmers, Indigenous peoples and academics, advocated for bringing TLSN to Alberta, drawing on their previous involvement with the network. In 2021, he brought the idea to LSC’s Executive Director and Board of Directors, proposing the expansion of TLSN into Treaty 6 territory.

"Following Bob’s presentation to the Land Stewardship Centre Board, there was significant support for TLSN and for LSC to be involved in helping with its expansion to Alberta," says Brian Ilnicki, Executive Director of LSC.

After subsequent discussions, LSC decided to assist in launching a pilot project to assess the feasibility of TLSN in Alberta. This six-month pilot project involved recruiting Indigenous land users and non-Indigenous landholders, pairing them together and conducting monthly visits between July and December 2022, with evaluations in October 2022 and March 2023. The program included an evaluation class at the University of Alberta and initial meet-and-greet dinners to set expectations, with a final evaluation circle facilitated by Lewis Cardinal. Building on the success of that pilot, which ended in March 2023, TLSN officially expanded to Alberta in July 2024, with Bob and LSC continuing to support its efforts here.

"It is only through the generosity of Indigenous peoples and their willingness to share their land that settlers have experienced so much prosperity," says Bob. "Yet, we have taken far more than what is just or ethical, often without even recognizing it."

Honouring the treaties means striving to fulfill the original purpose of these agreements, which, as many forget, were designed as mutually beneficial arrangements for all parties involved. Landholders gain a lot from this process as they deepen their understanding of what a treaty means, caring for the land and offering reciprocity in the way it was meant to be, rather than disproportionately taking the benefits from the land. TLSN is working to restore some of that balance.

This consistent effort is producing real, tangible results. Since TLSN’s launch in Alberta just four months ago, there has been steady and significant progress. More landholders have joined the coordinating committee, two Alberta farms have become part of the network, and several successful educational events and organizing efforts have taken place to expand TLSN within Treaty 6 territory. Continued growth is expected.

Under the guidance of TLSN’s Indigenous advisory circle, landholders can ensure that they are taking clear and solidly grounded action to live up to their treaty responsibilities.

If you are a landholder interested in joining TLSN’s efforts in Alberta (or elsewhere), a volunteer eager to support its initiatives or interested in supporting through donation, please contact Bob Montgomery.

Learn more about the Treaty Land Sharing Network.