The Numbered Treaties
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The numbered treaties are a series of 11 treaties made between First Nation Tribes and the Canadian Government during the 50 year period between 1871 and 1921. Areas affected by the treaties include sections of Alberta, B.C. Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. They basically sold land to the Canadian Government. In return, they received a reserve, annual payments, implements to farm/hunt/fish, and the right to continue to hunt/farm/fish on the tract of land they surrendered.
However, this was not free of conflict. Two conflicts resulted from the settlement of Western Canada: the Red River Rebellion, and the North West Rebellion.
However, this was not free of conflict. Two conflicts resulted from the settlement of Western Canada: the Red River Rebellion, and the North West Rebellion.
The Numbered Treaties were created out of necessity. Without the Treaties, the First Nations peoples could have died from the damage that Europeans caused to their way of life. They saw it as a last hop, and Canada saw it as a good way to get land without fighting, but not sacrifice too much. This is why the Treaties are weighed in the favour of the Canadian Government: they created the Treaties, and they set the deals. The First Nations did not know our language very well, so they really could not bargain and debate over the terms. They needed the treaties, and this need outweighed the costs of giving up their land. Thus, they agreed.
Treaty 6 was a treaty between Canada and the First Nations in the Fort Carlton, Fort Pitt, and Battle River, from 1876-1958. It gave the First Nations money in return for land, like the rest of the treaties.
Treaty 7 was a treaty sight between the First Nations and Canada, in Southern Alberta, during 1877. It gave Canada land too settle, and gave money and tools to the First Nations.
Treaty 8 was signed in 1899, and covered the Lesser Save Lake area. It sold off 840,000 square kilometres, an area larger than France.
Treaty 7 was a treaty sight between the First Nations and Canada, in Southern Alberta, during 1877. It gave Canada land too settle, and gave money and tools to the First Nations.
Treaty 8 was signed in 1899, and covered the Lesser Save Lake area. It sold off 840,000 square kilometres, an area larger than France.
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Medals like this one were given to First Nations Chiefs to commemorate the Numbered treaties. They were, however a good example of the the hint of bias that was present in the numbered treaties. For instance, the Government created residential schools, and tried to assimilate the aboriginals into Canadian Culture. If you look at the medal, The Tomahawk in the ground shows that the First Nations have Lowered their weapons, but there is no English weapon. This is implying that the Canadians still have control over the First Nations, and have not yet lowered their weapons as well.
Today, the Numbered Treaties have shaped our way of life. They have created the reserves, which separate many First Nations form us. They have shaped the First Nation's way of life. They achieved what the Government of Canada wanted: to get land and and power over the First Nations. The First Nations, however, did not get as much. They lived a pretty bad life afterwards, with residential schools, and being cramps in reserves. The Racism against them is still burning strong, and needs attention to fix it.