Treaties

Joint Parliamentary Committee on Indian Affairs

Summary

The president of the North American Indian Brotherhood, Andrew Paull, made a presentation of its recommendations to the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Indian Affairs. The group's recommendations focused on breaches of treaty rights, the Department's ability to add and remove band members, the need for federal and provincial tax exemptions and the abolition of all denominational schools on reserves. They also suggested the decentralization of the Department of Indian Affairs.

Implications
The Canadian Government, similar to previous years, did not enact any of these proposed changes at the time. A desire to have complete control over Indigenous affairs outweighed any duty to consult and cooperate with the North American Indian Brotherhood, or any other Indigenous representatives who would make policy recommendations.
Sources

CP, S.J.C 1947, p. 1673.

Sub Event
North American Indian Brotherhood Makes Recommendations to Committee
Date
1947-06-27

Peace Treaty Between the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the Nehiyaw (Cree): Assiniboine Alliance

Summary

In 1871 a peace treaty brought an end to the long running war between the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the Nehiyaw (Cree). This was also known as the Assiniboine alliance. The roots of this conflict can be traced back to the height of the fur trade and competition over the dwindling bison herds. In the fall of 1870 the Niitsitapi won a crucial victory over 600-800 Cree, Assiniboine, and Saulteaux warriors in a battle at Belly River (near present day Lethbridge, AB). Following the Niitsitapi victory both sides acknowledged the futility of inter-aboriginal warfare, especially with the increasingly chaotic 'Whoop-Up' trade moving northward from America, and agreed to a peace treaty to end hostilities.

Implications
The peace treaty ended warfare between the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the Nehiyaw (Cree).
Date
1871-00-00
Theme(s)

Lawrence Vankoughnet asks Dewdney to reduce rations provided to First Nations Communities

Summary

Despite the tension between government officials and First Nations people in the West during 1884, Assistant Superintendent of Indian Affairs Lawrence Vankoughnet told North West Territories Lieutenant Governor Edgar Dewdney that rations needed to be reduced and given only to those who worked. Due to the tension that existed between government officials and First Nations peoples Dewdney defended the necessity of providing rations. Dewdney blamed the economic troubles and tension in the West on the "work for rations" program itself.

Sources

PAC, Dewdney Papers, vol 2., pp. 390-391, Dickens to Crozier, 27 October 1884. Glenbow, Dewdney Papers, pp. 1104-1116, Vankoughnet to Dewdney, 5 December 1884.

Date
1884-10-00
Theme(s)

Treaty 4 Negotiations

Summary

On the fourth day of Treaty 4 talks with Alexander Morris and other government delegates at Fort Qu’Appelle, The Gambler speaking on behalf of the Salteaux peoples present articulated his unhappiness about Morris failing to shake the hand of a Metis when he was introduced. Additionally, on the sixth day of talks Kamooses requested that hunting rights be extended to the Metis Morris replied similarly to both delegates, assuring them that the Queen would treat the Metis fairly and generously.

Implications
Illustrating the historic connection between First Nation and Metis peoples of the Treaty 6 region. Historically, the crown has not treated the Metis "fairly and generously," it wasn't until the Daniels Decision in 2013 that the Government of Canada recognized that Metis peoples were included as Aboriginal peoples in s. 91(24) of the Indian Act. However, the court ruled that the Canadian Government did not have a duty to provide the services, government assistance, and rights that Status Indians have under the Indian Act. This shows that the government still fails to treat Metis peoples fairly and generously.
Sub Event
Regarding Metis Hunting Rights
Date
1874-09-12
Theme(s)

Treaty 6 Adhesion: Big Bear

Summary

Mistahimusqua (Big Bear) initially opposed adhering to Treaty 6 out of concern that his people would lose their freedom and identified insufficient terms as insufficient to ensure his people's well being. In 1882, Mistahimusqua signed an adhesion to the treaty when his community was faced with starvation due to the disappearance of the bison among other factors. He did this reluctantly, continuing to demand alterations to the treaty terms.


 

Result

In 1884, two years after signing Treaty 6, Mistahimusqua along with other chiefs from the Carlton and Battleford agencies such as Piapot, Mistawasis, Ahtakakup, and James Smith from Fort a la Corne brought forth a number of concerns that had not been fulfilled form Treaty 6. Ray, Miller, and Tough write in Bounty and Benevolence: a history of Saskatchewan quote the list of concerns brought to J. Ansdell Macrae by the Treaty 6 chiefs:

"1. Work The cattle given them are insufficient for them to gain their livelihood with. That wild oxen have been given to them, and in some instances have died, or been killed, because they were so intractable that they could not be cared for. These should be replaced.

2. Cows Many of the cows supplied were wild, and as they could not be stabled, died of cold and exposure. These should also be replaced.

3. Horses Some of the horses given them were too wild for them to use. This was bad faith on the part of the government, as the Commissioners who made the treaty promised them well broken beasts. These therefore should be replaced.

4. Waggons The waggons supplied were of poor make, and now the Chief had to travel on foot, as they [sic] are old men, means of conveyance should be given them

5. Conveyance for Chiefs For the same reason (just quoted) horses as well as vehicle should be given to all the Chiefs, not excepting those who got good gifts under the treaty.

6. Eleemosynary [Charitable] Aid The promise made to them at the time of their treaty was that when they were destitute, liberal assistance would be given to them. That the crops are now poor, rats are scarce and other game likely to be so, and they look forward with the greatest fear to the approaching winter. In view of the above mentioned promise they claim that the Government should give them liberal treatment during that season, for having disposed of all the property that they owned before the treaty in order to tide overtimes of distress since, they are now reduced to absolute and complete dependence upon what relief is extended to them. With the present amount of assistance they cannot work effectively on their reserves, and it should be increased.

7. Clothing It was promised by Mr. Commissioner Morris that they should not be short of clothing, yet they never received any, and it is feared that this winter some of them will be unable to leave their houses without freezing to death.

8. Schools That schools were promised to them, but have not been established on all the re-serves. They want these and desire the government to fulfil its promise entirely by put-ting up school houses and maintaining them in repair.

9. Machinery That they were told that they would see how the white man lived, and would be taught to live like him. It is seen that he has threshing mills, mowers, reapers, and rakes. As the Government pledged itself to put them in the same position as the white man, it should give them these things.

10. Request That requests for redress of these grievances have been again & again made without effect. They are glad that the young men have not resorted to violent measures to gain it. That it is almost too hard for them to bear the treatment received at the hands of the Government after its "sweet promises," made in order to get their country from them. They now fear that they are going to be cheated. They will wait until next summer to see if this council has the desired effect, failing which they will take measures to get what they desire. (The proposed "measures" could not be elicited, but a suggestion of the idea of war was repudiated.)

11. Renewals That all bad things, implements and tools, as well as stock etc. should be re-placed by gifts of better articles.

12. Insufficiency of government assistance That many are forced to wander from the re-serves, who desires [sic] to settle, as there is not enough of any thing supplied to them to enable all to farm. Although a living by agriculture was promised to them.

13. Lack of confidence in the Government That at the time of making the treaty they were comparatively well off, they were deceived by the sweet promises of the Commissioners, and now are "full of fear" for they believe that the government which pretended to be friendly is going to cheat them. They blame not the Queen, but the government at Ottawa.

14. Medicines That they were promised medicine chests for each reserve, but have never received them. Many live among them, or near them who could administer drugs beneficially but as they have not them, they suffer from complaints that might be cured.

15. Beef That they want to have beef at all payments.

16. Effect of not fulfilling promises That had the Treaty promises been carried out "all would have been well," instead of the present feeling existing.

17. Maps of Reserves That every Chief should be given a map of his reserve in order he may not be robbed of it.

18. Harness That harness should be given them for all their cattle, and that when oxen are given to them, the harness should be on them. Joseph Badger, an Indian of the South Branch, spoke very plainly on the alleged grievances, and warns the Government that it must redress them, to escape the Measures that may be taken." (pp. 198-199). 

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Date
1882-12-08
Theme(s)

Treaty 6 Negotiations

Summary

At the treaty talks at Fort Pitt, Chief Big Bear (Mistahimaskwa) indicated that he could not sign the treaty because many of the people he represented were not present at the treaty discussions. He used a metaphor to describe his predicament, one that would be commonly understood by Indigenous people at the time. By stating "save me from what I most dread . . . the rope to be about my neck", he was indicating that he did not want to lose his freedom, as a wild horse does when he/she is captured (by a rope around his/her neck). The word which had been used by Chief Big Bear (which meant "lead by the neck" in Cree) was mistranslated by the interpreter, who instead said "hang by the neck" (in English). Lieutenant-Governor Morris and other Canadian delegates, not understanding either Cree or the cultural context from which Chief Big Bear spoke, took this statement to mean that Chief Big Bear did not want to die by hanging. Thus, they feared the future actions which might lead him to such an end, and viewed his words as a threat. From this point forward, Chief Big Bear was mislabelled as a trouble-maker by the federal government.

Implications
This mistranslation changed the perceptions of government agents as it relates to Chief Big Bear, influencing how he was treated in the following years, most notably following the North-West Resistance in 1885. Following the North-West Resistance Big Bear would be wrongfully tried for treason as his actions would be both misinterpreted and misconstrued by the Crown, incidentally Big Bear would serve half of his term in prison and be released in 1887.
Sub Event
Big Bear Declines Treaty
Date
1876-09-00
Theme(s)

Meeting Between Big Bear and David Laird

Summary

Big Bear met with Lieutenant Governor David Laird at Sounding Lake. He explained that treaty payments did not provide enough for Aboriginal people to live off of, and requested further aid.

Implications
There is little further information on whether Big Bear received increased aid, or whether David Laird even responded to the request.
Sources

RG 10 10771 Black, Laird to Mills, 12 Nov. 1878.

Date
1878-08-00
Theme(s)

Council of Chiefs at Duck Lake

Summary

This council was a follow-up to the council held at Carlton earlier that summer. Beardy called Carlton signatories to Duck Lake and drew up eight promises that had not been fulfilled in treaty making.

Sources

Speech given by Beardy to meeting at Duck Lake: "Yes, I am willing to speak. Since the leaves have begun to come it is why I have been walking, walking, trying to make myself understood. It is why I have come to Duck Lake. To show you why I have been so anxious, it is because I have been trying to seize the promises which they made to me, I have been grasping but I cannot send them. What they have promised me straightway I have not yet seen the half of it. We have all been deceived in the same way. It is the cause of our meeting at Duck Lake. They offered me a spot as a reserve. As I see that they are not going to be honest I am afraid to take a reserve. They have given me to choose between several small reserves but I feel sad to abandon the liberty of my own land when they come to me and offer me small plots to stay there and in return not to get half of what they have promised me. When will you have a big meeting. It has come to me as through the bushes that you are not yet all united, take time and become united, and I will speak. The Government sent to us those who think themselves men. They bring everything crooked. They take our lands, they sell hem and they buy themselves fine clothes. Then they clap their hands on their hips and call themselves men. They are not men. They have no honesty. They are an unsightly beast. Their faces are twisted from the appearance of honest men." - July 31, 1884 Duck Lake (Kisiskâciwan: Indigenous Voices from Where the River Flows Swiftly, 40-41).

Date
1884-07-00

Chief Beardy Refused Rations at Prince Albert

Summary

When Chief Beardy traveled to Prince Albert to attain rations for the hungry population of his band, he was refused. Middleton justified this decision based on the ‘involvement’ of Beardy's reserve in the North-West Resistance. Only a few individuals from the reserve participated and Beardy himself had remained outside of the conflict at the time. In response, Beardy returned his Treaty 6 medal, saying that he would receive it back from Middleton when Middleton believed his innocence. After Beardy returned his medal Middleton threatened to destroy Beardy's settlement and his people.

Sources

Saskatchewan Indian Federated College, Samuel Seeseequasis interview, Beardy- Okemasis Reserve, 7 March 1985. Saskatchewan Indian Federated College, Harry MIchael Interview, Beardy-Okemasis Reserve, 13 March 1885.

Date
1885-05-24
Theme(s)

Termination of Contiguous Plains Cree Reserves

Summary

After the signing of Treaties 4 and 6 many Plains Cree moved to the Cypress Hills region of Saskatchewan establishing a string of connected Cree reserves in the late 1870s. These reserves allowed for a strong, united Cree presence impeding the Canadian government’s control. As a result, Indian Commissioner Edgar Dewdney aspired to disrupt this string of reserves. He used the Cree disarmament and hunger crisis to drive the Cree out of Cypress Hills, withholding rations from Indigenous people who remained in the area in a decision called the Starvation Polic.y

Implications
Dewdney violated the treaties signed with the Plains Cree, and created geographic space between Cree communities to undermine any potential expression of resistance to government control. This also undermined the social cohesion and interconnected support systems of these communities, which were invaluable to their survival in the midst of rapid imposed social, demographic, economic and political changes. Due to Dewdney's methods, many Cree suffered and died of starvation from the withholding of rations.
Sources

Morris, Alexander. The Treaties of Canada with the Indians of Manitoba and the North- West Territories Including the Negotiations on which they were based, and other Information relating thereto. Saskatoon: Fifth House, 1991. 205, 218, 352-353.

Date
1881-00-00