Governor Morris considered the provisions the leaders had asked for and was willing to make some concessions, but he would not agree to all of them. On 19 August, Morris was presented with chiefs, but he noticed the absence of the Duck Lake band leaders. They disagreed with many aspects of the Treaty as they found that many of the promises did not provide the Cree with enough security for their future. It remained to be seen whether it was a bad omen. Even though Big Bear publicly and consistently spoke against sighing treaties, by 1882 starving, he would sign Treaty 6. However, Big Bear was forced by starvation to adhere to Treaty 6 in 1882 and settled into the Frog Lake area. It is ours and we will take what we want. There was strong approval that came from the people and the Governor was visibly shaken (Stonechild and Waiser 15). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Treaty 6 peoples have also protected their treaty rights through land claims and lawsuits. Morris then explained to the group that the Crown would create reserves for their people and would assist them in farming initiatives, without interfer[ing] with their present mode of living. Morris never explicitly discussed the concept of land cession. Medals, flags, and uniforms were presented as well as treaty payments. By 1870 Canada was made up of four provinces: Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. In 150 we had entered into the Robinson Huron Treaty to protect. Different tribes of the Cree held their own stories and traditions passed down orally through the generations. The treaty boundaries extend across central portions of present-day Alberta and Saskatchewan. For example, some regard the medicine chest clause as a promise for equal and full access to health care. In Canada, Aboriginal title describes the rights of Indigenous peoples to land based on long-standing land use and occupancy. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like 3 periods of Arctic settlement, Innovations of Dorset and Thule Culture, Characteristics of Thule Culture and more. Treaty 7 was signed in 1877. What is the difference between Treaty 6 and Treaty 7? Wah-wee-kah-oo-tah-mah-hote was chief from 1876 to 1883: but he was deposed in 1884 and Young Sweet Grass became chief. Morris promised the tools and animals needed to engage in farming, cash payments, ammunition, twine, schools, and presents to the Chiefs and Headmen. In another significant difference from Treaty 6, Treaty 7 states that the Crown would pay for teachers salaries instead of the maintenance of school buildings. Mistawasis asked Pitikwahanapiwiyin, Have you anything better to offer our people? Pitikwahanapiwiyin did not respond to that question directly, but held firm in his beliefs that the treaty terms were unfair and inadequate. [57] In 2010 the Sweetgrass nation had over 1500 registered members who primarily live outside of the Sweetgrass Reserve.[55]. [38] The language used to refer to indigenous people who elected to not settle on reserves also did not help ease tensions. Treaty 6 was signed in 1876. Big Bear and Little Pine also believed in the sovereignty of their own Nations and were opposed to the idea of another Nation governing and applying their laws to them. Sweetgrass is also one of the herbs frequently included in medicine bundles and amulets. In 1870 Sweetgrass allowed himself to be baptized and was given the name Abraham.[28]. [24] In 1870, there were hundreds of thousands, which provided an immense amount of resources for the Cree to a point where they were able to only take the choice parts of the Buffalo. Siksika (Blackfoot) is the language of Siksika Nation. On September 9, the Chiefs and Headmen signed their approval to accept Treaty 6. Morris reassured the First Nations that their way of life and survival would not be disturbed and guaranteed well into the future. They believed that the land was sacred. We want you to be aware of the benefits, credits and requirements that apply to you. At that time, they as well were facing low fur prices, and poor hunting and fishing. The Cree made it clear that they would not tolerate any trespassers on their lands. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. He was unable to hold the band together, which began to splinter. The City of Edmonton and the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations co-hosted the first Treaty No. The manager of the HBC post at Fort Carlton, Lawrence Clarke, wrote to government officials that same summer, alerting them that the Cree had also threatened to turn back telegraph workers who were trying to construct a line from Winnipeg to Edmonton. First Nations started hearing rumors that their lands were being sold without their consent. By signing an adhesion to a treaty, Indigenous peoples who could not attend or were not initially included in treaty negotiations were able to enter into the terms of that treaty. Erasmus and the other two translators translated to the people the terms of the treaty one more time. Chief Sweetgrass (Weekaskookwasayin) signed Treaty 6 on September 9, 1876, with the Fort Pitt Indians but was killed about six months later. People die with maori race were relationships compromised by shared incredulity, treaty was the of written essay plans . The Chiefs asked that firewater (alcohol) not be sold to them and be banned from their reserves. Dickieson, Mistahimaskwa referred to the treaty as a dreaded rope to be about my neck. Mistahimaskwa was not referring to a literal hanging (which is what some government officials had believed), but to the loss of his and his peoples freedom, and Indigenous loss of control over land and resources. While the signing of the treaty can be seen as selling away indigenous rights, it did bring much-needed medication and food to the Cree who had insufficient options. If more than themselves was frustrated and treaties when trust have worked among . These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. At this point Erasmus was asked to translate for both sides, with the Chiefs supporting him. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. They were also concerned about starvation due to the diminishing supply of bison and other large game on which their economy depended. Let us not think of ourselves but our childrens children, let us show our wisdom by choosing the right path while we yet have a choice. Wandering Spirit stayed in power for the duration of the uprising while Big Bear counselled for peace and protecting the white prisoners. He suggested to Morris that the government needed to preserve what buffalo herds were left, so that they could all share equally. Sweet Grass converted to Christianity in 1870, [25] being baptized into Catholicism with the name Abraham. The iconography on the commemorative medals for Treaty 6 symbolizes: A.Two sovereign nations making peace and sharing the land forever B.The equality of all peoples under God C.The transfer of land and resources for material goods D.The dominance of the British Crown in negotiations and afterward A Treaty 6, between the Queen and bands of Cree and Stoney First Nations, was negotiated and signed at Fort Carlton and Duck Lake in August, and at Fort Pitt in September, 1876. It is the unique collective right to use of, and jurisdiction over, ancestral territory and is separate from the rights of non-Aboriginal Canadian citizens under common law. [4] His name, Sweet Grass was inspired by an audacious feat that he attempted as a youth. Sweet Grass through both policy and action would have a lasting impact on the Plains Cree. [55] Young Sweet Grass would eventually become chief and would name the new group the Sweetgrass First Nation in honour of his father. Michael Asch, Aboriginal and Treaty Rights in Canada (2011). As the treaty process never included women in the discussion it ignored an important cultural pressure. The amount of power wielded by Cree chiefs varied from person to person. Christie, the officer in charge of the Hudsons Bay Company for the Saskatchewan District. During this time Lacombe would become familiar with the Cree language and the culture, even writing a Cree dictionary in 1874. He also agreed to give agricultural implements. Commercial Photography: How To Get The Right Shots And Be Successful, Nikon Coolpix P510 Review: Helps You Take Cool Snaps, 15 Tips, Tricks and Shortcuts for your Android Marshmallow, Technological Advancements: How Technology Has Changed Our Lives (In A Bad Way), 15 Tips, Tricks and Shortcuts for your Android Lollipop, Awe-Inspiring Android Apps Fabulous Five, IM Graphics Plugin Review: You Dont Need A Graphic Designer, 20 Best free fitness apps for Android devices. [22] Days of fighting ensued however, both chiefs managed to survive.[23]. [32] Sweet Grass along with three other Chiefs attempted to get ahead of government control by meeting with the representative of the Canadian government in the west Lieutenant Governor Archibald to petition the Hudson's Bay Company's (HBC) sale of land to the government. The Treaty party left Fort Pitt and made their way back to Fort Garry. In the face of survival, the Cree started to assemble and meet with one another to discuss their approach to the government. Medals, flags, and uniforms were presented as well as treaty payments. Other members of the negotiating team included treaty commissioners William Joseph Christie (an HBC officer) and James McKay (Mtis fur trader and politician), as well as translators, assistants and NWMP escorts. Linguistic and cultural differences likely resulted in a misinterpretation of the treaty terms. Treaty 6 was the biggest piece of legislation between Plains Cree Leaders and the colonial government. We never shed any white mans blood, and we have always been friendly with the whites, and want workmen, carpenters and farmers to assist us when we settle. [17] After death, the soul would wonder the earth for four days, and then would travel to the land of the dead, which was believed to be in the Milky Way. Some of the Chiefs and their people were hunting on the prairies and the ones that were present wanted to wait for the others while a message was sent for them to attend the meeting. He suggested to Morris that the government needed to preserve what buffalo herds were left, so that they could all share equally. Chief Sweetgrass (Weekaskookwasayin) signed Treaty 6 on September 9, 1876, with the Fort Pitt Indians but was killed about six months later. Even more important, the Chiefs felt that the Treaties would impose European values on the Cree. Chief Vernon Watchmaker Some, but not all, locals met them. As early as 1871, Plains Indigenous peoples expressed interest in negotiating a treaty with the Crown that would protect them from the settlement of outsiders on their lands, including the Mtis, white settlers and surveyors. (Christensen 234), Once everyone was assembled at the Council tent, the pipe stem ceremony began with all the Chiefs, headmen, singers, and drummers. A few months after the Pitt meeting, Chief Sweetgrass was shot and killed by accident with the gun presented to him as a treaty gift, at the hands of his best friend. The band was to serve as a model for group Indigenous enfranchisement. I want all my brother Sweetgrass asks. Christie, the officer in charge of the Hudsons Bay Company for the Saskatchewan District. In 1882, Young Sweet Grass & seventeen followers joined Wah-wee-kah-oo-tah-mah-hote (Strikes him on the back), who had signed Treaty 6 at Fort Carlton on August 28, 1876. Like the earlier agreements this treaty called on the natives to surrender their aboriginal title to the lands they inhabited In return they were promised reserves education and farming supplies and the right to hunt trap and fish as well as annual cash payments. What were the main terms of Treaty 6? In another instance, Sweet Grass had invited the Blackfoot into his camp in an attempt to begin a long-standing peace with them. One of the requests that Sweet Grass made to the government was to teach the Cree better farming techniques. Released early due to a health breakdown, Big Bear sought sanctuary amongst the remnants of his tribe of the Poundmakers and Little Pine Reserve. By 1870 chief Sweet Grass would begin to become more integrated into Canadian society. The City of Edmonton acknowledges the traditional land on which we reside, is in Treaty Six Territory. At this point, Young Sweet Grass would lead a fragment of the band to join with other Cree, who had signed Treaty 6. [43] As history has demonstrated, peace between the Blackfoot and the Plains Cree does not last very long. Because of these important disagreements with treaty they would refuse to sign and did all they could to protect what was left of the buffalo herds(Dodson 22). It was required to distinguish themselves during a war, as a provider, and as a generous giver to gain this position. Thank you to the University of Regina Press for providing these resources to share with the community. British Columbia joined confederation in 1871 and was promised a railway to connect them to eastern Canada. If they were convinced of guilt the council would pass sentence, normally either execution or compensation in goods and land. [8] Children did not wear much clothing and boys wore nothing until the age of five. The First Nations were a proud and strong people but were facing an uncertain future. Much reserve land was lost to dishonest deals by the Indian agents. 1876 - 1883: Wah-wee-kah-oo-tah-mah-hote (Strike him on the back), 1920 - 1924: Harry Atcheynum (Son of Strike him on the back), 1925 - 1964: Sam Swimmer (Son of Yellow Mud) Last hereditary Chief, For a summary for our History in brief, find it on the Battleford's Agency Tribal Chief's Website at www.batc.ca/sweetgrass/, P.O. Morris statement about reserves was immediately met with resistance by Pitikwahanapiwiyin (Poundmaker), a local leader who became a great chief in the 1880s. With diseases and famine rampant in the Cree community, they were more receptive to new religious ideas. A force of North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) was sent to the area to maintain order. [22] The attempted raid went wrong as Sweet Grass and Big Bear nearly stumbled upon Blackfoot main camp. We invite you to come and see us and to speak with us. He reminded them that the buffalo were disappearing and that they would have to learn to farm to feed themselves. 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