Western Alfalfa Millng Co. (WAMCO) sits on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Nêhiyan-Askiy (Plains Cree), Očhéthi Šakówin (Sioux), Niisítapi (Blackfoot), and Michif Piyii (Métis) peoples.
These lands are part of Treaty 4 (Qu’Appelle Treaty 1874), which encompasses 195,000 square kilometers of prairie land in what is now Canada. In the present day, the Treaty 4 area extends from the southeast corner of Alberta through most of southern Saskatchewan and into west-central Manitoba.
Indigenous signatories to Treaty 4 agreed to the preservation of traditional lands, hunting, trapping, and fishing rights for Treaty people, individual annuities, and among other material items included terms for the provision of tools, equipment, and livestock to pursue agricultural activities.
The Qu’Appelle Treaty of 1874 was negotiated in good faith, but the spirit of mutual benefit has not been upheld by the government of Canada.
Today, WAMCO farms land that was ceded through Treaty 4 and continues to seek opportunities to engage in respectful relationships with Indigenous communities.