Peace and harmony can only be achieved through negotiations and signing treaties. In late 1800, the Canadian government signed 11 treaties with the local inhabitants and the Metis nation, where the government aimed at accessing their land. To avoid collisions, the federal government enticed the indigenous people and the metis with payments and rights to access certain resources.
Dates of events e.g.: signing of treaty, formation of Metis Political nation, were these dates a sign of fast moving times?
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The treaties numbered 1 and 2 were negotiated between 1871 and 1921. The signing of treaty 1 was on 3rd August 1871 between three groups; Canada, The Anishinabek, and Swampy Cree of southern Manitoba. Treaty 2 was signed on August 1871 between the Anishinabek of southern Manitoba and Canada. According to Canadian officials' perspective, these treaties' main reason was to facilitate the western settlement and assimilate the Aboriginal individuals into the Euro-Canadian community. Treaty 3 was signed on 3rd October 1873 between the Canadian government and the Saulteaux people. The treaty was by then referred to as The North-West Angle Treaty. This agreement gave the federal government a breakthrough to access Saulteaux lands, presently Eastern Manitoba and northern Ontario. In exchange, the indigenous people were given various goods besides being authorized to hunt, fish, and access natural resources on reserved lands.
Treaty 4 was formally referred to as Qu'Appelle Treaty, and it was signed on 15th September 1874. The treaty was signed at Fort Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan, between the Canadian government and the indigenous people, who included the Cree, Ojibwa people, and Assiniboine. In this treaty, indigenous lands were ceded to the government in exchange for provisions and rights to access reserved lands. Treaty 6 was negotiated and signed on 9th September 1876 between Crown delegates and Cree, Ojibwa elders, and Assiniboine. This treaty enabled the crown representatives to extend their boundaries across the Central part, nowadays referred to as Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Considering the duration from one treaty to another, it is clear that this was a sign of fast-moving times. The federal government was aware that given a chance to get civilized, the indigenous people would have resisted these treaties, and for this reason, the government never took chances. They fully utilized opportunities as early as possible thus managed to grab more land from indigenous people.
Where did the events happen? On who’s land? Which Part of Canada?
All the negotiations were signed at the native'' territories. Treaty 1 and 2 were signed in Southern Manitoba in Canada. Treaty 3, which involved the Saulteaux people and Canada's federal government, was signed in Eastern Manitoba. Treaty 4 was signed at Fort Qu'Appelle, while treaty 6 was signed at Ojibwa.
Was English a Language that everyone understood or was it a barrier to communication ?
Given the 11 numbered treaties, the negotiations were supposed to be done between the local natives and the federal government. English was a barrier to these negotiations since the treaties were made during the 18th century where civilization was still in infancy stages. Due to this English language barrier, there were a lot of misunderstandings and misinterpretations. Since the inception of these treaties, there have been many grievances from the locals for the last 135 years. This is a clear indication that the treaties were unfair and unjust.
After reading these historical pieces, tell me what was the most surprising fact that you learned?
The most surprising fact in these historical pieces is the unfairness and cruelty of the federal government. The government was so determined and persistent in amassing vast pieces of land without minding the local people's future survival. The government took advantage of the ignorance among the locals to take their lands without fear.
The Metis Nation are a unique group of people. Why?
The Metis Nation is unique for two significant reasons, namely, their culture and their origin. They form a distinct group among Canadians, and they are known to be the first individuals to carry out the fur trade. About their origin, they are traced to have roots in French, and this is explained by the fact that some French explorers penetrated Canada and interacted with Canada’s Aboriginals. As a result, the Metis nation came up.
What inventions belonged to the Metis?
The Metis people were incredible, resourceful, and adaptive people commonly known for the fur trade. Besides, they came up with various innovations such as the Red River Cart, York boat, and other creations. Their inventions in the transport industry were vital to their mobility, and this gave them independence as they could easily move across grasslands.
Where was the Metis Homeland?
The Metis nation has a unique origin with French roots; hence, their homeland is a matter of discussion. The Metis inhabited various territories such as Ontario, the current Northwest-Nunavut, Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. Initially, before the name Metis, this territory was referred to as Rupert’s Land.
Was The Metis a threat to the government at the time? If so, why?
The Metis people were a significant threat to the government, considering the historical information about them. The federal government was afraid of grabbing their land without negotiating with them. This is so because the government was aware that the metis could have strongly resisted land grabbing, and for this reason, the government had to sign treaties and entice them with some payments and other rights before accessing their territories.
The land reserved for “Indians” was it sufficient for livelihood?
The lands reserved for Indians were not sufficient enough for a livelihood since they were treated as foreigners. According to the treaties, these land reserves were only reserved for serving as a temporary refuge to individuals who faced different sorts of discrimination. Secondly, the size of the reserved land largely depended on the demand of local settlers, implying that Indians received less land.
The treaty’s promised – what, to Indigenous people?
The indigenous lands were ceded to the government in exchange for provisions and rights to access reserved lands. Treaty 6 was negotiated
After learning about the Gradual Civilization Act, can you connect the colonization process of the government ?
The government took advantage of time in colonizing the metis and indigenous people. At the time of colonization, most local inhabitants and the metis had little civilization, and they might have had little information about the future world. For this reason, the government enticed locals with little payments and rights to access specific resources and eventually colonized them.
Do you think the Indians were treated fairly in the treaty?
The Indians were not treated fairly as the land reserved for them was not sufficient to cater to their needs. Also, their reserved land was used to settle refugees who were discriminated temporarily.
Do you think the Canadian government (at the time) could have treated Indigenous and Metis People differently? Would that be difficult?
The Canadian government could not have treated the metis and indigenous people differently. This could have been difficult as most metis people had intermarried with the local settlers and shared many things. They could even speak the same languages and shared territories thus; it could have been difficult according to the different treatments.
In conclusion, despite the peaceful settlement and signing of treaties, it is evident that the Canadian government was unfair and unjust to its citizens. The government grabbed huge territories at the expense of its citizens. The locals were uncivilized and had little information on the value of land, and for this reason, the government took this as an advantage. Years later, after civilization has hit everyone, the locals, Metis, Indians, among other Canadian settlers have raised many grievances. It is not fair for any government to take advantage of its people's lack of civilization to grab their resources.
