A Highway 3 bridge southeast of Prince Albert, long known as the Muskoday Bridge, officially has a new name. On Tuesday the Government of Saskatchewan and Muskoday First Nation announced the bridge will now be known as the Chief John Smith Bridge. The renaming in honour of Muskoday’s original chief coincides with the 150th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 6, which covers a large area of central Alberta and Saskatchewan, and includes cities like Saskatoon and Edmonton. In a media release the Government says the bridge, located on the Muskoday First Nation, “recognizes Chief Smith’s leadership, vision and lasting contributions to his community and to the Treaty relationship that continues to shape Saskatchewan.” “This renaming is a meaningful way to honour Chief John Smith’s legacy and recognize the important role he played in the history of Muskoday First Nation and Treaty 6,” Highways Minister Kim Gartner said. “As we mark the 150th anniversary of Treaty 6, this bridge will stand as a lasting reminder of the relationships, commitments and shared history that continue to connect us.” Download the CTV News app to get breaking news alerts sent to your device The First Nation says the newly-renamed bridge is a physical metaphor of how Chief Smith brough two cultures together 150 years ago, when he was a signatory to the Treaty 6 declaration. “The Nation wants to rededicate the Muskoday bridge name to honour Chief John Smith, mistiko-nāpēw ᒥᐢᑎᑯ ᓈᐯᐤ (he who builds), who was a true visionary leader as our first hereditary chief,” Muskoday First Nation Chief Ron Bear said. Minister Gartner added the renaming is an important way to recognize Indigenous history while celebrating Treaty relationships.
