Treaties with First Nations in the West  Canada owns North-West Territories Fee settlers in the area; fear of Americans taking over land. Prime Minster Macdonald wants more settlers in Territories and he also wants to build his transcontinental railway.

Treaties with First Nations in the West  Canada needs to move settlers and railway crews into the territories Canada can not just move in; First Nations are living on this land and have been before the arrival of the Europeans Macdonald does not want the same conflicts that are going on between the First Nations and USA settlers. Arrangements had to be made to avoid conflict

Treaties with First Nations in the West  Law states that Canada did not have the right to take over the First Nations land without negotiating first Law created in 1763 by the King of England Royal Proclamation contained instructions on how BNA should be governed It stated that First Nations rights should be respected

Treaties with First Nations in the West  Macdonald sends government officials to make treaties with all nations of the North-West Territories 11 treaties signed between 1871 – 1921  Some lands would be kept in reserve for First Nations  Every Nation receives money from government each year, as well other support such as schools, farming supplies, and help in times of famine  Settlers would be allowed to live peacefully on First Nations traditional lands

Why did the First Nations Agree?  Some of the First Nations leader’s did not trust the Canadian government Thought it would be better for their people to not allow the new settlers on their lands Many debates in the communities Long talks with government representatives to sort out details

Why did the First Nations Agree? Continued  Most nations signed treaties Many historians believe that the First Nations did not have a choice  Late 1800s: First Nations people in the prairies experienced hardship Buffalo was main source of food, shelter, and clothing The Buffalo was being killed off because of the Europeans gun technology and they hunted the buffalo for sport

Why did the First Nations Agree? Continued  1/10 th of First Nations’ population in the West died from starvation and Europeans diseases in alone.  First Nations understood the importance of signing the treaties They worked hard to make sure the treaties would give them rights to their lands according to both First Nations and Canadian laws First Nations added other conditions to the treaties in order to make sure that their people would get what they needed to survive in this newly formed country

Red River & Métis Overview

Red River Settlement People:  First Nations first  Métis second, since late 1700s Central location for supplying fur traders  Lord Selkirk’s (1812) Scottish colonists  Settlers from Ontario & Quebec most recent

Red River Settlement Numbers:  Total pop  1600 Scottish colonists, English Protestants (ON) and French Catholics (QE)  were Métis (French or British heritage)

Métis Nation  Separate people (Métis identity - history & culture)  Rights (based on First Nation heritage)  Early 1800s refer to themselves as nation  Protect identity and land right

Métis Language & Religion  Often spoke several languages  Red River Métis: French, English, one or more First Nation language, and Michif (French & Cree)  French -Catholic  English/Scottish - Protestant  Hello/Hi. Tánishi/boñjour.  How are you? Tánishi kiya?  I am fine. Nimiyou'ayan/zhi baen.  What is your name? Tánishi eyishinikashoyan?  My name is. Dishinikáshon.

Métis Buffalo Hunt  Main source of food  Pemmican (dried meat, fat, berries) Keeps for years Perfect long trips Sold to fur traders  Hunt in Spring & Fall  Well organized (like army, strict rules)

Métis Farms  Farms were their homes  Provided food sold to fur traders  Farm work mostly done by women  Never paid for land (no written - ownership)  Hudson Bay Co. agreed to right to land (retired to farm)

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