1. Chapter 5 – Changes Come to the Prairies
The Treaty Process
Chapter 5 – Changes Come to the Prairies

2. Prairies: 1870s Canadian government
Determined to open the Prairies to European and Canadian settlers for farming
Had to settle question of First Nations title to land
In 1870, all land in Manitoba and the North-West Territories was held by First Nations

4. Cree

5. Anishinabe

6. Blackfoot

7. Government- wanted to gain control of land quickly
First Nations leaders knew they would have to share some land
Wanted to make the best possible deal to secure their people’s future
F.N. had a tradition of “give and take” negotiations
F.N. tended to bargain in “good faith”
Believed they were sharing their land in exchange for protection and support of their people

8. The Treaty Process
1871 -Canadian Government began treaty process with the First Nations of the Prairies
Treaty: a formal agreement usually made between two nations, or between Aboriginal Groups and national governments
On the Prairies, the “Numbered Treaties” included 7 treaties signed between
(see map in Horizons, page 178)

10. Wemyss Simpson, Indian Commissioner
“God intends this land to raise great crops for all his children, and the time is come when it is to be used for that purpose. White people will come here to cultivate it under any circumstances. No power on Earth can prevent it.” Simpson, 1871

11. Cree Chief
“I have turned this matter of a treaty over in my mind and I cannot see anything in it to benefit my children. This is what frightens me. After I showed you what I meant to keep for a reserve, you continued to make it smaller and smaller…Let the Queen’s subjects go on my land if they choose. I give them liberty. Let them rob me. I will go home…” -Ay-ee-ta-pe-pe-tung, 1871

12. Difference in opinion
Cree & Anishinabe wanted control of approx. 60% of their land
Government instructed Simpson to offer 160 acres per family of 5
First Nations =

13. But, First Nations managed to include conditions:
Govt. agreed to give First Nations
1. farm equipment
2. farm supplies supplies
3. instruction in farming
techniques

14. Treaty Rights 2. access to health care 3. access to education
Under the terms of the Numbered Treaties, Aboriginals agreed to share their land in exchange for specific rights, including
1. access to resources
2. access to health care
3. access to education

15. By end of 1870s
Many First Nations were escorted onto their land reserves and began to farm the land
They encountered many challenges: drought, insects, poor crops

16. Set up for failure?
Government did not supply mills to grind wheat into flour
Government supplied poorly made plows
Oxen provided were not strong enough to pull plows
Seed was sent too late in the year
Aboriginal farmers
were forbidden
to use
steam-powered
threshing machines after
harvest

17. Hayter Reed, Indian Commissioner
Believed it was
“unnatural” for
First Nations to use machines
Did not want First Nations farmer to sell surplus wheat