Treaties with First Nations Cultural Empowerment

Settling the West Once the Canadian government acquired the North-West Territories, Manitoba and BC, they wanted more people to settle the area. Threat from US still present Connecting the railway across the Prairies

Traditional Territories Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald did not want to replicate the bloody battles between the settlers and the First Nations as in the US. The Royal Proclamation on 1763 stated that First Nations rights must be respected; therefore treaties had to be drawn up. Between 1871 and 1921, 11 treaties were signed (the Numbered Treaties).

Discussion What do you know about treaties today? Or First Nations rights?

The Numbered Treaties Main ideas: Some lands for First Nations only. Would receive a specific amount of money from the government every year – would also help out with schools, farming supplies and in times of famine. Settlers would be allowed to live on traditional lands (not reserved for First Nations only)

First Nations Point of View Many debates happened over whether to trust the Canadian government (some leaders did not), but most eventually signed. Some historians (people who study history) believed they did not have choice. What do you think?

Why Sign? Traditional ways of life were a struggle to maintain. For example, those who depended on buffalo were in trouble because the buffalo was being killed off. Also, we cannot forget about the impact of European diseases. First Nations leaders signed, but worked hard to ensure the treaties were fair to their people. These treaties are still in force today.

Red River Settlement Who lived there? Population of 12 000 Mostly Metis 1600 descendants of English Protestants from Ontario and French RCs from Quebec.

The Events at Red River January 1869 – Canada buys Rupert’s Land from the Hudson Bay Company. The people of Rupert’s Land, the Metis, were not kept in the loop, therefore were left wondering what would become of them? Would the Canadian government let them keep their farms? Your next task is to create a timeline of events that led up to and surrounded the Red River Rebellions.