This weekend will be a time of celebration and building relationships in Winnipeg in hopes of moving one small step closer to reconciliation between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. 

Kerry Saner-Harvey is the Indigenous Neighbours Coordinator with MCC Manitoba, and he also helps organize this yearly event. 

"This is the sixth annual time we've done this," says Saner-Harvey says about the upcoming We Are All Treaty People Celebration. 

There are many organizations that help an event like this take place, including Mennonite Central Committee Manitoba with Winnipeg Quakers, TRC Action Committee United Church, Diocese of Rupert’s Land (Anglican) in partnership with the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba.

"I think this event is important because one of the things that we were encouraged six years ago was to remind us as non-Indigenous folks, treaty is important to us as well. We've often thought of it as a thing of the past but First Nations communities have been really clear that it's an ongoing relationship."

The celebration is a time of building relationships with fellow Indigenous people and communities.

"I hope it's part of reconciliation. It's one small step as it's one afternoon in the course of a year. It's certainly a step in acknowledging that this is important and to learn more."

While the celebration is organized by church communities, it isn't, in particular, a 'faith event' according to Saner-Harvey.

"We as church communities have come to acknowledge that we have been a part of residential schools, almost all the different faith communities in Canada have been a part of the history. It's important that we acknowledge that harms have been done in the past and that we haven't always been faithful or just treaty partners in this situation."

Last year the event went digital and included a song from Winnipeg Christian artist Steve Bell.  

"We're excited to be back in person again. We know that relationships can't be built well until you are able to be together in a space."

We Are All Treaty People Celebration will take place at The Forks in the centre field from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, September 18 and all are welcome. Ray "CoCo" Stevenson will be MCing the event which will include singing, dancing, food, and treaty teachings.