Numbered Treaties in Canadian History

10 Questions

What were the different benefits for the Canadian government from Treaties 1 to 7?

Securing Canada's claim to lands north of the US-Canada border, enabling the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, and opening the lands of the North-West Territories to agricultural settlement.

What was the purpose of Treaties 8 to 11?

To make it easier for the government to access natural resources in northern Canada and to open the West for settlement.

What were the Numbered Treaties used for?

To assimilate Indigenous peoples into Canadian society, encouraging them to adopt the values and behaviors of white settlers.

Why did some Indigenous leaders sign the treaties?

To prevent more hunger and starvation due to the destruction of traditional economies, and because they saw no other option.

What led to disputes between the Canadian government and Indigenous people regarding the treaties?

Different interpretations of the treaties, including whether Indigenous leaders understood they were surrendering their lands and the concept of land ownership in European and Indigenous worldviews.

What were the Numbered Treaties and when were they signed?

The Numbered Treaties were a series of 11 treaties signed between 1871 and 1921.

What was the historical context behind the Canadian government's desire to expand westward?

After Confederation, the Canadian government wanted to expand westward to obtain the lands of the Hudson Bay Company (HBC), including Rupert’s Land and the North-Western Territory. These lands were valuable for natural resources, European immigration, and industrial and commercial developments.

How did the Canadian government plan to address Indigenous claims to the lands acquired from the Hudson Bay Company?

The Canadian government planned to negotiate treaties with Indigenous people for the land, using the 1850 Robinson Treaties as a model for the new treaties.

What were the key provisions of the Numbered Treaties for Indigenous people?

Indigenous people were promised goods, reserve lands, annual payments, and hunting and fishing rights in exchange for the government obtaining control of the land.

What was the significance of the 1850 Robinson Treaties in relation to the negotiation of new treaties with Indigenous people?

The government used the 1850 Robinson Treaties as a model for the new treaties with Indigenous people for the land acquired from the Hudson Bay Company.

Study Notes

The Numbered Treaties

The Numbered Treaties, from Treaties 1 to 11, were signed between the Canadian government and Indigenous peoples from 1871 to 1921.
The primary purpose of Treaties 1 to 7 was to facilitate westward expansion, enabling the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway and settling the land.

Purpose of Later Treaties

Treaties 8 to 11, signed from 1899 to 1921, focused on acquiring land for resource extraction, such as mining and logging.

Key Benefits for Canadian Government

The Numbered Treaties allowed the Canadian government to acquire large tracts of land for settlement, agriculture, and resource extraction.
The treaties enabled the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, connecting the country from coast to coast.

Indigenous Perspectives

Some Indigenous leaders signed the treaties to ensure the protection of their people, culture, and way of life.
They believed the treaties would provide a mutually beneficial relationship, granting them rights and protection in exchange for land.

Disputes and Conflicts

Disputes arose between the Canadian government and Indigenous peoples due to differing interpretations of the treaties, unfulfilled promises, and the erosion of Indigenous rights.
The government's failure to uphold treaty obligations and the encroachment of settlers on Indigenous land led to conflicts.

Historical Context

The Canadian government sought to expand westward to connect the country, facilitate economic growth, and assert sovereignty over the western territory.
The government planned to address Indigenous claims by negotiating treaties, acquiring land from the Hudson's Bay Company, and relocating Indigenous peoples to reserves.

Robinson Treaties and Their Significance

The 1850 Robinson Treaties, signed with the Ojibwe and Huron tribes, set a precedent for future treaty negotiations, providing a model for the Numbered Treaties.
These treaties demonstrated that the government recognized Indigenous peoples' Aboriginal title to the land, paving the way for future negotiations.

Key Provisions for Indigenous People

The Numbered Treaties provided Indigenous peoples with reserve land, annual payments, hunting and fishing rights, and certain rights to traditional practices.
The treaties also promised education, healthcare, and other services, aiming to assimilate Indigenous peoples into Canadian society.