Former federal Indian Affairs Minister Bill McKnight will be Saskatchewan's next treaty commissioner, a First Nations conference has been told.

Lawrence Joseph, chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, made the announcement in Saskatoon on Tuesday at the federation's annual assembly.

McKnight, 66, represented the Kindersley-Lloydminster riding for 14 years beginning in 1979 and held several cabinet portfolios, including Indian affairs, in Brian Mulroney's Progressive Conservative government.

Joseph confirmed McKnight will be taking over from David Arnot, who recently concluded 10 years in the office.

Lawrence said the Elrose-born McKnight has an excellent reputation in First Nations circles and he hopes the new commissioner will speed up treaty negotiations.

"Personally, I've known Mr. McKnight for years and I think the chiefs in the assembly have known him to be a forceful administrator and also a forceful politician," Joseph said.

There hasn't been a formal announcement from the Conservative government about when the new commissioner will begin his term.

Established in 1990, the treaty commissioner is meant to act as a mediator between federal and First Nations governments dealing with treaty issues.