Karla Bird

Tansi, niwâhkômâkanak, Greetings all my relations; Karla Bird nitsikason, second daughter (of 3 sisters) to late Betty Smith (née Carter) nikâwiy, and late Jack Smith, maternal grandparents late Francis Carter and late Justine Carter (née Opissinow). My Great Grandparents (Opissinow) are late Caroline Wolfe and late Joseph B. Opissinow, and my Great Grandparents (Carter) are late Marie Elise Whitstone and late Walter Carter. I am descended from Treaty 6 signer – my 5th Great Grandfather J.B. Abraham Eagle (Ku-ye-win) Mamistakwan, Kiyiwin/Keetoowahan. My 2nd great grandfather J.B. Opisinaw served on Council with Onion Lake from 1922 – 1941 and my great grandfather Walter Carter served on Council with Onion Lake from 1950-1952 & 1970-1974.

I am a single mother to one son, and one foster son, and I am proud of them both. My home was always busy with both of them and their friends, and I was always grateful to be their place to be that was free from alcohol or drugs.

I learned at a young age from my parents to serve and be a helper, and I have lived my life serving and being a helper wherever I have had the opportunity. I always say that I am here to help, and it is my privilege to be able to do that wherever I am able. I grew up in Onion Lake and left to complete high school and post secondary school. I completed my Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Saskatchewan and also worked serving the 74 First Nations of Saskatchewan between 1999-2012 at the Health and Social Development Commission at FSIN.

Since then, I came home and worked for Onion Lake Health from 2012-2025 as a Treaty Technician, Treaty Based Funding Coordinator/Negotiator, Accreditation Coordinator and Policy and Financial Analyst. Collectively I have 26 years of experience being a Treaty Technician over my career so far.

2025 is my first term as a newly elected Councilor for Onion Lake Cree Nation and I feel very humbled for those that voted for me and put their confidence in me to serve our Nation and all of our members. It is also vital and critical to continue the work to help protect our Treaty and Inherent Rights. Treaty No. 6 includes the “Medicine Chest” which includes the crucial clauses for our complete provision of Healthcare, has the famine/pestilence protection clause, and remains incredibly important for our ongoing nation-to-nation relationship. The treaty terms (sharing, peace, mutual respect) are intended to be eternal, as long as the natural world exists, treaties are not relics but ongoing, daily realities. Our Treaty and Inherent Rights are to be honoured, upheld, respected, and implemented “As Long as The Sun Shines, The Grass Grows and the Waters Flow.”

Kisê-manitow, kinanâskomitin ê-miyiyan kotak kîsikâw

Lord, I thank you for giving me another day.

Karla Bird

Councilor Onion Lake Cree Nation