In Their Own Land: Treaty Ten and the Canoe Lake, Clear Lake, and English River Bands

Author's Conclusion, Page 93-94:

"...The federal government negotiated eleven treaties with the First Nations of the three prairie provinces, as well as parts of British Columbia and the North West Territories. In each and every instance, the federal government failed to live up to promises they made to the First Nations in exchange for settler access to Aboriginal lands. With the restriction of their hunting, trapping, and fishing, First Nations in the Treaty Ten area were, especially after the NRTA in 1930, arrested and fined for doing what they were guaranteed would never be compromised. The chiefs negotiated the treaty to ensure that future generations could sustain themselves through hunting, trapping, and fishing. Negotiating for annuities, help for the elderly and sick, provisions in times of need, and education, the chiefs were protecting their people for hard times, and the reason why they were so adamant during the treaty negotiations that the government accede to their demands. In the years following, these chiefs did their best to ensure that the promises were kept, on occasion confronting government officials to see that the treaties were followed.

As the bands mark the 100th anniversary of Treaty Ten, it is important to look back at the events surrounding the negotiations of the treaty, as well as its aftermath, to honour those who worked hard to try to ensure the future health and well-being of their people. While the chiefs are the most visible symbols of the treaty, we must also remember those who worked alongside them, including many who gave their stories for this book. By sharing, these elders have ensured that future generations will benefit from their knowledge and that the history of Treaty Ten, from a First Nations standpoint, will be better understood. In the end, this story is really about the youth of the Meadow Lake Tribal Council Treaty Ten bands, for they are the ones who will carry these stories forward into the future as they fight for the implementation of the treaties that the chiefs negotiated on their behalf." (93-94).