The Legacy of Treaty 4: A Tribute to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit People (MMIWG2S+)
What is The Legacy of Treaty 4: A Tribute to MMIWG2S+ Project?
The Legacy of Treaty 4: A Commemorative Project for MMIWG2S+ is a community-led initiative motivated by the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (2019) and responds to the Calls for Justice.
This project will create an Indigenous-designed, land-based commemorative space in Māmowimīwēyitamōwin Park to honour, recognize and acknowledge the significance and impact of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQIAP+ people in Regina, while reflecting on the legacy of Treaty 4.
This project is led by Elders, Reconciliation Regina and Indigenous community partners and has been shaped through trauma-informed engagement and community contributions.
The final design has been established and centers on a circular gathering space with a ceremonial fire at its heart. Stone seating, paving and Grandfather boulders will extend from the centre, anchored by a Corten steel retaining wall designed by Brianna LaPlante. Gently sloped berms with native plants and traditional medicines will frame the space and strengthen its connection to the land.
The City supports the project through funding, coordination and facilitation, while Indigenous leadership and direction remain with Elders and community partners.
Long-term stewardship of the site will be guided by the Civic Art and Cultural Collections Policy. Reflecting the legacy of Treaty 4, it will be maintained as a place of cultural and historical significance, supporting ongoing respect, remembrance and learning. Care and maintenance will be provided by the Community & Cultural Development branch in partnership with Parks Maintenance using existing resources.
Guiding Themes
Following a trauma-informed community consultation in 2019, three guiding themes were identified by the Elders to inform the project vision:
- Commemorate: Honor the lives of MMIWG2S+ individuals, strengthen family and community memory and create a place where Indigenous peoples can share messages of remembering, honoring, resilience and hope for future generations. This theme emphasizes the importance of memory and recognition in the healing process.
- Educate: Serve as an educational tool that shares truths and knowledge with a broader community audience. By educating the public about the historical and ongoing injustices faced by MMIWG2S+ people, the project hopes to foster greater understanding and empathy and to challenge the systemic issues that perpetuate violence and discrimination.
- Activate: Bear witness to injustice, provoke discussions, inspire action and provide a platform for voices that may not have the opportunity to share their stories elsewhere. This theme focuses on the need for active engagement and advocacy to address and rectify the injustices faced by MMIWG2S+ people.
Who is involved?
This is a First Nations and Métis community-led project initiated by Indigenous community leadership and Reconciliation Regina, whose vision for reconciliation in Saskatchewan is that each citizen takes responsibility to create an interdependent and fair society.
The Elders who set the guiding themes and vision for this project are Sherry Cochrane, Rita Goodwill, Wayne Goodwill, Dianne Kaiswatum, Roland Kaye, Donna Okeeweehow, Joan Pelletier, Lillian Piapot, James Hector Pratt, Faye Sioux John and Gwenda Yuzicappi.
The site design was co-created by the Design Panel, which includes David Garneau, Felicia Gay, Jason Surkan and Tracy Desjarlais. The Design Panel selected local artist Brianna LaPlante to add further artistic elements to the site, through a public call for First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists and designers.
Educational materials are currently being developed by the Knowledge Collective to support ongoing learning and public awareness once the site is complete. The Knowledge Collective includes Lori Campbell, Jamie Lerat, Danette Exner and Joely Big-Eagle Kequatooway.
What is next for the project?
In April 2026, a Knowledge Collective was formed to guide the development of the site’s educational and informational content. This work is now underway to support ongoing learning and public awareness once the site is complete.
A site blessing was held on May 5, 2026 to prepare the land for construction.
The site is set to open to the public in the fall of 2027.
The community project team is seeking applications from Indigenous educators, historians and writers to develop learning resources for the commemoration site to educate the community on MMIWG2S+, Indigenous truth, histories, knowledge and the legacy of Treaty 4.
Learning resources may include interpretive content, educational materials, digital storytelling and historical information that will help visitors understand the significance of the site and will be developed under the leadership of the Knowledge Collective comprised of Indigenous experts in public education, traditional knowledge, youth engagement and MMIWG2S+ lived experience.
Call for Expressions of Interest
Qualified Indigenous educators, historians, journalists and writers are invited to submit Expressions of Interest by email to Culture@regina.ca before October 14, 2026. Applications will be reviewed by the Knowledge Collective.
