What is the basis for a strong relationship?

In your opinion, what makes a relationship or friendship strong?

Historic Canadian relationships

As you may probably notice from your list in the Minds On, each person has their own set of values that influence what they think is important to make the friendship successful.

Sometimes our distinct cultures, religions, and worldviews (the way we interpret the world around us) can influence how we think, act, and treat others.

Before Confederation

Prior to Confederation, Indigenous peoples, specifically First Nations peoples, had well-developed treaties, alliances, and relationships with the British Crown. Just like you outlined in your list, the British and First Nations had their own ideas about what each party needed to do so that they could have peaceful and respectful relationships with each other.

In 1763, the Royal Proclamation of 1763 created a set of laws and boundaries for First Nations people in Canada. In it, King George III established rights for Indigenous peoples and made the Crown responsible for protecting Indigenous lands from settler encroachment. It also recognized that all land belonged to Indigenous peoples.

Indigenous peoples were not invited or represented at the Charlottetown and Quebec Conferences prior to Confederation. The Fathers of Confederation held a paternalistic view of Indigenous people and therefore Indigenous people were not consulted and were excluded from any formal discussions about unifying the colonies. This signaled a much different relationship than what was previously established between Indigenous peoples and the British.

Press ‘Paternalistic’ for a description of the term.

Paternalistic

Impact on Indigenous communities

Although Indigenous peoples were not consulted, Confederation was set to have a significant impact on Indigenous communities. The Dominion wanted to develop, settle, and claim more land and thus the government began to expand its colonization efforts over Indigenous people and sought to take more land away from Indigenous communities. As a result, the Numbered Treaties and the Indian Act were a direct consequence of Confederation and colonization.

Western expansion

Colonial governments believed that Western expansion was a vital part of Canada’s economic future. As the Dominion of Canada was joining forces, the United States was rapidly expanding westward and possible invasion by the United States was a fear many Canadian politicians had. As a result, it became important for colonial governments to gain more land under the Dominion and continue the policy begun by the British Crown by signing land treaties with First Nations but with much different intentions.

After Confederation, Canada become the successor to lands in Canada that were formally controlled by Britain. And with it, the jurisdiction over the Indigenous peoples and lands also transferred to the Canadian government. This further complicated Indigenous and settler relationships, as Indigenous people faced new laws, new relationships, and new legal definitions as to how they were defined and treated in the new nation of Canada.

True or false

Use the information you just explored to complete this true or false activity. Select either true or false for each statement.

Reflection question

Based on what you have learned, do you think the Canadian government wanted to continue a relationship with First Nations? Why or why not? Record your answer in a method of your choice.

The Numbered Treaties

Treaties are agreements that are made between two nations and are legally binding. There is a long history of treaty-making on Turtle Island and on the lands now known as Canada. Early treaties between Indigenous communities, and later with European settlers, focused on relationships and living peacefully together. These treaties between nations outlined each party’s roles and responsibilities. These treaties were recorded orally and, visually, through such forms as wampum belts. No two treaties are the same.

Treaties are agreements that are made between two nations and are legally binding. There is a long history of treaty-making on Turtle Island and on the lands now known as Canada. Early treaties between Indigenous communities, and later with European settlers, focused on relationships and living peacefully together. These treaties between nations outlined each party’s roles and responsibilities. These treaties were recorded orally and, visually, through such forms as wampum belts. No two treaties are the same.

“Wampum belts composed of shell beads woven into appropriate symbolic representations. To accept a wampum belt in formal council was to agree to adhere to the principles embodied in its woven design. The wampum thereafter served to help perpetuate the memory of the treaty.”

Source: Hall, 2017

Treaties were made between First Nations and the British Crown, and later Canada, after Confederation. These allowed the Crown to use the expansive traditional lands of Indigenous peoples in exchange for specific obligations from the Crown. The Crown was to provide reserves, payments, clothing, weapons, farming equipment, and medicines, among other elements, in exchange for use of Indigenous land. Treaties outlined what was required of both parties to fulfill this partnership. These treaties were made to ensure peaceful relationships and could be revisited to ensure continued times of peace. Modern treaties are also signed today between First Nations communities and Canada.

After Confederation, the Crown aimed to settle the West and expand its agriculture, economy, and resource development. The result was the Numbered Treaties, numbered from 1 to 11, which cover parts of British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, Yukon, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Northern Ontario and were signed between 1871 and 1921.

The following are the exact dates and approximate locations of each of the 11 numbered treaties. Treaty 1:1871. Located in southern Manitoba, near the border. Treaty 2: 1971. North of Treaty 1. Treaty 3: 1873. Located in Western Ontario, on the boarder of the U.S and Manitoba. Treaty 4: 1874. Located in southern Saskatchewan. Treaty 5: 1875 and expanded in 1908. Counts for the remainder of land in Manitoba, north of Treaty 2. Treaty 6: 1889. A small piece of land in central Saskatchewan. Treaty 7: 1877. Sothern Alberta, on the US border. Treaty 8: 1899. Northern Alberta, British Columbia, and southern North West Territories. Treaty 9: 1905-06 and expanded in 1929-30. They are located in central and northern Ontario. Treaty 10: 1906. This is in northern Saskatchewan. Treaty 11: 1921. This treaty covers most of the North West Territories.

Researching the Numbered Treaties

For this activity, you will research and record your finding on two of the 11 Numbered Treaties.

As you conduct your research, think about what the Indigenous people were promised and what the government gained. Consider including short-term and long-term impacts from the treaty.

Use the following interactive checklist as you find the answers to each question:

Example of Numbered Treaty research

Press ‘Example’ to explore a complete research chart of the Numbered Treaty 1.

Example

Record your research in the following fillable and printable document entitled Numbered Treaty Research. You can also complete this activity in your notebook or use a method of your choice.

Impact of the Numbered Treaties

The Numbered Treaties have had a long-lasting legal, social, and economic impact on First Nations people. The creation of reserves and eventually residential schools would become instruments of assimilation that would negatively affect Indigenous culture, knowledges, traditions, languages, and way of life.

On the other hand, the Numbered Treaties have helped to guide the relationship between the federal government and First Nations people by holding them accountable for the promises they made through these legally binding agreements.

Medals such as this one were presented to the chief who signed certain treaties. On one side is the bust of Queen Victoria and on the reverse is an Indigenous leader shaking hands with a british officer.

The Numbered Treaties were and remain controversial. The promises made by the Canadian government were rarely fulfilled, and the interpretations of the treaties were vastly different. Settlers and the government viewed the 11 Numbered Treaties as transactional: negotiations of cash in return for land and sovereignty. First Nations, however, viewed treaties as long-term pacts of peace, friendship, and mutual support. The Canadian government believed that the treaties ceded, or surrendered, Indigenous lands to Canada. First Nations believed they agreed to share the lands as land could not be owned. The treaty-making process also benefited the Canadian government as the negotiations were done in English through written documents and with the aid, at times, of a translator for First Nations communities, though this was not guaranteed.

Review the following video to learn more about differing perspectives in the treaty-making process through the creation of Treaty 9:

Reflection question

Reflecting on your list from the beginning of the activity, how would the Numbered Treaties impact the relationships between the Canadian government and Indigenous peoples?

Based on what you have learned, how did the Canadian government's and First Nations' perspectives impact their understandings of their relationships and the treaties?

True or false

Determine if each statement is true or false and select the appropriate answer.

Modern impacts

Consider the following quote:

Canada was formed with the shared promises of peace, friendship and mutual respect with First Nations in the presence of all of creation. These promises, for as long as the sun shines, the rivers flow and the grass grows, are to be in effect for peoples now and for those yet unborn. The challenges now faced by First Nations peoples and by all of humanity with the declining state of our natural world were not meant to be. Think of how enriched Canada and the world can be as Canada fulfills on its original promises of peace and sharing with First Nations peoples

Summarize your findings from your research of the numbered treaties and relate it to the quote by former National Chief Perry Bellegarde.

• What was the impact of Confederation and the Numbered Treaties on the lives of First Nations people in these areas?
• What is the impact of these broken promises on the relationships between First Nations and the Canadian government today?
• What similarities are there between the Numbered Treaties?

Record your responses in a method of your choice.

Source: Albers, Gretchen. “Treaties 1 and 2.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 12 November 2015, Historica Canada. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/treaties-1-and-2.

Source: Waite, P.B.. “Confederation.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 29 October 2019, Historica Canada. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/confederation.

Source: “What Are Treaty Rights?” Indigenous Awareness Canada Online Training, 14 Feb. 2020, indigenousawarenesscanada.com/indigenous-awareness/what-are-treaty-rights/.

Source: Hall, Anthony J.. “Treaties with Indigenous Peoples in Canada.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 11 September 2017, Historica Canada. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/aboriginal-treaties.

Reflection

As you read the following descriptions, select the one that best describes your current understanding of the learning in this activity. Press the corresponding button once you have made your choice.

Now, expand on your ideas by recording your thoughts using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.

When you review your notes on this learning activity later, reflect on whether you would select a different description based on your further review of the material in this learning activity.

Press ‘Discover More’ to extend your skills.

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