Former Sask. treaty commissioner Bill McKnight dead at 79

Bill McKnight, well-known as Saskatchewan’s third treaty commissioner, died following a sudden illness on Friday.

While in the role of treaty commissioner from 2007 to 2012, McKnight added a kindergarten to Grade 12 treaty resource guide in all the province’s schools.

Before that, McKnight was in federal politics, serving as MP for Kindersley-Lloydminster from 1979 to 1993.

During that time, he played a major part in the creation of the 1992 Saskatchewan Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement, which identified 2.5 million acres of land to enhance economic opportunities for First Nations in the province.

In addition to being appointed to the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, McKnight was also honorary chief of the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation.

McKnight was 79 years old.