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Late Lieut.-Gov. of Manitoba, the
North-West Territories, and Kee-wa-tin.
TORONTO, March, 1880.
The
question of the relations of the Dominion of Canada to the Indians of
the North-West, is one of great practical importance The work, of
obtaining their good will, by entering into treaties of alliance with
them, has now been completed in all the region from Lake Superior to
the foot of the Rocky Mountains. As an aid to the other and equally
important duty—that of carrying out, in their integrity, the
obligations of these treaties, and devising means whereby the Indian
population of the Fertile Belt can be rescued from the hard fate which
otherwise awaits them, owing to the speedy destruction of the buffalo,
hitherto the principal food supply of the Plain Indians, and that they
may be induced to become, by the adoption of agricultural and pastoral
pursuits, a self supporting community—I have prepared this collection
of the treaties made with them, and of information, relating to the
negotiations, on which these treaties were based, in the hope that I
may thereby contribute to the completion of a work, in which I had
considerable part, that, of, by treaties, securing the good will of the
Indian tribes, and by the helpful hand of the Dominion, opening up to
them, a future of promise, based upon the foundations of instruction
and the many other advantages of civilized life.
M.
One
of the gravest of the questions presented for solution by the Dominion
of Canada, when the enormous region of country formerly known as the
North-West Territories and Rupert's Land, was entrusted by the Empire
of Great Britain and Ireland to her rule, was the securing the alliance
of the Indian tribes, and maintaining friendly relations with them. The
predecessors of Canada—the Company of Adventurers of England trading
into Hudson's Bay, popularly known as the Hudson's Bay Company—had, for
long years, been eminently successful in securing the good-will of the
Indians—but on their sway, coming to an end, the Indian mind was
disturbed. The events, that transpired in the Red River region, in the
years 1869-1870, during the period when a provisional government was
attempted to be established, had perplexed the Indians. They, moreover,
had witnessed a sudden irruption into the country of whites from
without. In the West, American traders poured into the land, and,
freighted with fire-water, purchased their peltries and their horses,
and impoverished the tribes. In the East, white men took possession of
the soil and made for themselves homes, and as time went on steamboats
were placed on the inland waters—surveyors passed through the
territories—and the “speaking wires,” as the Indian calls the
telegraph, were erected. What wonder that the Indian mind was
disturbed, and what wonder was it that a Plain chief, as he looked upon
the strange wires stretching through his land, exclaimed to his people,
“We have done wrong to allow that wire to be placed there, before the
Government obtained our leave to do so. There is a white chief at Red
River, and that wire speaks to him, and if we do anything wrong he will
stretch out a long arm and take hold of us before we can get away.” The
government of Canada had, anticipating the probabilities of such a
state of affairs, wisely resolved, that contemporaneously with the
formal establishment of their rule, there should be formed alliances
with the Indians. In 1870 the Parliament of Canada created the
requisite machinery for the Government of the Province of Manitoba and
of the North-West Territories respectively, giving to the former a
Lieutenant-Governor and Legislature, and to the latter, a
Lieutenant-Governor and Council, Executive and Legislative—the
Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba being ex officio
Lieutenant-Governor of the North-West Territories. Subsequently the
North-West Territories were erected into a distinct government, with a
Lieutenant-Governor and Executive, and Legislative Council. The
District of Kee-wa-tin, “the land of the north wind,” was also
established, comprising the eastern and northern portions of the
Territories, and placed under the control of the Lieutenant-Governor of
Manitoba, and an Executive and Legislative Council. Since 1870, no less
than seven treaties have been concluded, with the Indian tribes, so
that there now remain no Indian nations in the North-West, inside of
the fertile belt, who have not been dealt with.
It
is the design of the present work to tell the story of these treaties,
to preserve as far as practicable, a record of the negotiations on
which they were based, and to present to the many in the Dominion and
elsewhere, who take a deep interest in these sons of the forest and the
plain, a view of their habits of thought and speech, as thereby
presented, and to suggest the possibility, nay, the certainty, of a
hopeful future for them.
Prior
to proceeding to deal, with the treaties of the Dominion of Canada, it
will render this book more complete to present the reader, with
information as to three treaties which preceded those of the Dominion,
viz., the treaty made by the Earl of Selkirk in the year 1817, those
popularly known as the Robinson Treaties, made by the late Hon. William
B. Robinson, of the City of Toronto, with the Indians of the shores and
islands of Lakes Superior and Huron in the year 1850, and that made by
the Hon. William Macdougall, for the surrender of the Indian title, to
the great Manitoulin Island, both acting for and on behalf of the
Government of the late Province of Canada.
Ere however entering upon an explanation of
these two first-mentioned treaties, I submit a few brief observations.
The
Indians inhabiting the region covered by the treaties in question,
extending in Canadian territory from Lake Superior to the foot of the
Rocky Mountains, are composed of distinct tribes having different
languages.
The Ojibbewas,
Chippawas, or Saulteaux as they now call themselves, are found in
numbers in the District of Kee-wa-tin and the Province of Manitoba. In
the North-West Territories they are not numerous except within the
limits of Treaty number Four. These Indians migrated from the older
Provinces of Quebec and Ontario many years ago.
The
Crees, inhabit the North-West Territories and are divided into Plain,
Wood and Swampy Crees, according to the region of the country they
dwell in. The Swampy Crees reside in Manitoba and Kee-wa-tin.
The
Black Feet nation are to be found towards the slope of the Rocky
Mountains, in the region comprised within the limits of the Treaty
number Seven.
A few Chippawayans, or Northerners, dwell
within the North-West Territories.
The
once powerful nation of the Assiniboines, or Stonies—a kindred tribe to
the Sioux—are greatly reduced in numbers, and are now only to be met
with in the North-West Territories.
The
Sioux in the Dominion are refugees from the United States, the first
body having come over some fourteen years ago. A large influx of
similar refugees, have recently fled to the Dominion from, the same
country, as the issue of the recent war between the United States and
the Sioux.
In the year 1811, the Earl of Selkirk
purchased [Footnote: Vide
Appendix for copy of the agreement in question.] from the Governor and
Company of Adventurers trading into Hudson's Bay, in consideration of
ten shillings and certain agreements and understandings contained in
the Indenture, a large tract of territory within Rupert's Land
described in the Indenture as follows:
“All
that tract of land or territory being within and forming part of the
aforesaid lands and territories of the said Governor and Company,
bounded by an imaginary line running as follows, that is to say,
beginning on the western shore of the Lake Winnipic, otherwise
Winnipeg, at a point in fifty-two degrees and thirty north latitude and
thence running due west to the Lake Winnipegoos, otherwise called
Little Winnipeg, then in a southerly direction through the said Lake so
as to strike its western shore in latitude fifty-two degrees, then due
west to the place where the parallel of fifty-two degrees north
latitude intersects the western branch of Red River, otherwise called
Assiniboine River, then due south from that point of intersection to
the height of land which separates the waters running into Hudson's Bay
from those of the Missouri and Mississippi, then in an easterly
direction along the said height of land to the source of the River
Winnipic, or Winnipeg (meaning by such last named river the principal
branch of the waters which unite in Lake Sagenagos), thence along the
main stream of these waters and the middle of the several lakes through
which they flow to the mouth of the Winnipic River and thence in a
northerly direction through the middle of Lake Winnipic to the place of
beginning.” The deed is accompanied by a map intended to show the tract
of country, and there is an endorsement on the map that as the surveys
were not sufficient to ascertain with precision whether, latitude
52°
does intersect the river called Red or Assiniboine River, it was
agreed, that in case the waters of of Red River, shall on more accurate
survey be found, not to extend so far north as latitude 52°, then
the
west boundary of the tract of land intended to be within the grant,
should be a line drawn due north and south, through the post upon the
Red River, marked on the plan is “Carlton House.”
The
Company reserved the right to call upon the Earl to set off one-tenth,
however, of the tract for the use of the servants of the Company—and
the Earl covenanted, within ten years, to settle within the tract one
thousand families, each of them consisting of one married couple at the
least, on pain of revocation of the grant, if on receipt of notice to
that effect from the Company he did not, within three years after the
receipt of the notice, complete the settlement of the one thousand
families.
In pursuance of
his obligations, Lord Selkirk, in the autumn of the year 1811, sent out
a number of families from the County of Sutherland, in Scotland, who
spent the winter at Fort Churchill on the western shore of Hudson's
Bay. On the arrival of spring, they travelled thence to the confluence
of the Assiniboine and Red Rivers, and thus was commenced the
interesting settlement of the Red River, which is now included in the
Province of Manitoba. It is not my purpose to notice here the eventful
history of the Selkirk colonists, and I will only note the fact that in
1836, the Company bought back the whole tract, from the heirs of Lord
Selkirk, for the sum of £84,000, the rights of colonists who had
purchased land between 1811 and 1836, being respected.
In
the year 1817 the Earl of Selkirk, visited his wide domain, and entered
into negotiations with the Indian tribes, for the extinction of their
title, to a tract of land described as follows:
[Footnote:
A large portion of the ceded territory is now comprehended in the
Territory of Dakota, United States.] “All that tract of land adjacent
to Red River and Assiniboine River, beginning at the mouth of Red River
and extending along the same as far as Great Forks at the mouth of Red
Lake River and along Assiniboine River as far as the Musk Rat River,
otherwise called Rivière des Champignons, and extending to the
distance
of six miles from Fort Douglas on every side, and likewise from Fort
Doer, and also from the Great Forks and in other posts extending in
breadth to the distance of two English statute miles back from the
banks of the river.”
The
Indians then inhabiting the region were described as being of the
Chippawa or Saulteaux and Killistine or Cree nations. They were made to
comprehend, the depth of the land they were surrendering, by being
told, that it was the greatest distance, at which a horse on the level
prairie could be seen, or daylight seen under his belly between his
legs. The consideration for the surrender, was, the payment of one
hundred pounds of good merchantable tobacco, to each nation annually.
The
treaty was signed by Lord Selkirk and by five Indian chiefs, who
affixed thereto drawings of the animals after which they were named, by
way of signature, a fac simile of which will be found elsewhere.
The surrender was to the Sovereign Lord, King George the Third. The
treaty was accompanied by a map which shows that the tract surrendered
extended to Grand Forks in what is now United States territory. A copy
of the treaty will be found in the Appendix and will prove of interest.
In
consequence of the discovery of minerals, on the shores of Lakes Huron
and Superior, the Government of the late Province of Canada, deemed it
desirable, to extinguish the Indian title, and in order to that end, in
the year 1850, entrusted the duty to the late Honorable William B.
Robinson, who discharged his duties with great tact and judgment,
succeeding in making two treaties, which were the forerunners of the
future treaties, and shaped their course. The main features of the
Robinson Treaties—viz., annuities, reserves for the Indians, and
liberty to fish and hunt on the unconceded domain of the Crown—having
been followed in these treaties. A special feature of the Robinson
Treaties, was the adjustment of a claim made by the Indians to be paid,
the amount received, by the Government, for the sale of mining
locations. This was arranged, by Mr. Robinson, agreeing to pay them,
the sum of £4,000 and an annuity of about £1,000, thus
avoiding any
dispute that might arise as to the amounts actually received by the
Government. The number of Indians included in the treaties were stated
by Mr. Robinson to be: on Lake Superior, 1240, including 84
half-breeds; and on Lake Huron 1422, including 200 half-breeds.
[Footnote: The census return of the Department of the Interior for the
year 1878 gives the numbers of these Indians as follows: Chippawas of
Lake Superior ... 1,947. Chippawas of Lake Huron ... 1,458.] The
relations of the Indians and half-breeds, have long been cordial; and
in the negotiations as to these initial treaties, as in the subsequent
ones, the claims of the half-breeds, to recognition, was urged by the
Indians.
I cannot do
better, in giving information with regard to these treaties, than
simply to reproduce the Report of Mr. Robinson to the Honorable Colonel
Bruce, Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs, in which he describes
the course of his negotiations and communicates their results. A copy
of the treaties will be found in the Appendix. The Report is as follows:
TORONTO, 24th September,
1850.
Sir:—I
have the honor herewith to transmit the Treaty which on the part of the
Government I was commissioned to negotiate with the tribes of Indians
inhabiting the northern shore of Lakes Huron and Superior; and I trust
that the terms on which I succeeded in obtaining the surrender of all
the lands in question, with the exception of some small reservations
made by the Indians, may be considered satisfactory. They were such as
I thought it advisable to offer, in order that the matter might be
finally settled, without having any just grounds of complaint on the
part of the Indians.
The
Indians had been advised by certain interested parties to insist on
such extravagant terms as I felt it quite impossible to grant; and from
the fact that the American Government had paid very liberally for the
land surrendered by their Indians on the south side of Lake Superior,
and that our own in other parts of the country were in receipt of
annuities much larger than I offered, I had some difficulty in
obtaining the assent of a few of the chiefs to my proposition.
I
explained to the chiefs in council the difference between the lands
ceded heretofore in this Province and those then under consideration,
they were of good quality and sold readily at prices which enabled the
Government to be more liberal, they were also occupied by the whites in
such a manner as to preclude the possibility of the Indian hunting over
or having access to them whereas the lands now ceded are notoriously
barren and sterile, and will in all probability never be settled except
in a few localities by mining companies, whose establishments among the
Indians, instead of being prejudicial, would prove of great benefit as
they would afford a market for any things they may have to sell, and
bring provisions and stores of all kinds among them at reasonable
prices.
Neither did the
British Government contemplate the removal of the Indians from their
present haunts to some (to them) unknown region in the far West, as had
been the case with their brethren on the American side.
I
told them that the two chiefs who were in Toronto last winter
(Shinguacouse and Nebennigoebing) only asked the amount which the
Government had received for mining locations, after deducting the
expenses attending their sale. That amount was about eight thousand
pounds which the Government would pay them without any annuity or
certainty of further benefit; or one-half of it down, and an annuity of
about one thousand pounds.
There
were twenty-one chiefs present, about the same number of principal men,
and a large number of other Indians belonging to the different bands,
and they all preferred the latter proposition, though two of them
(Shinguacouse and Nebennigoebing) insisted on receiving an annuity
equal to ten dollars per head.
The
chiefs from Lake Superior desired to treat separately for their
territory and said at once in council that they accepted my offer. I
told them that I would have the treaty ready on the following morning,
and I immediately proceeded to prepare it, and as agreed upon they
signed it cheerfully at the time appointed.
I
then told the chiefs from Lake Huron (who were all present when the
others signed) that I should have a similar treaty ready for their
signature, the next morning when those who signed it would receive
their money; and that as a large majority of them had agreed to my
terms I should abide by them.
I
accordingly prepared the treaty and proceeded on the morning of the
ninth instant to the council-room to have it formally executed in the
presence of proper witnesses—all the chiefs and others were present. I
told them I was then ready to receive their signatures; the two chiefs,
Shinguacouse and Nebennigoebing, repeated their demand of ten dollars a
head by way of annuity, and also insisted that I should insert in the
treaty a condition securing to some sixty half-breeds a free grant of
one hundred acres of land each. I told them they already had my answer
as to a larger annuity, and that I had no power to give them free
grants of land. The other chiefs came forward to sign the treaty and
seeing this the two who had resisted up to this time also came to the
table and signed first, the rest immediately following.
I
trust his Excellency will approve of my having concluded the treaty on
the basis of a small annuity and the immediate and final settlement of
the matter, rather than paying the Indians the full amount of all
moneys on hand, and a promise of accounting to them for future sales.
The latter course would have entailed much trouble on the Government,
besides giving an opportunity to evil disposed persons to make the
Indians suspicious of any accounts that might be furnished.
Believing
that His Excellency and the Government were desirous of leaving the
Indians no just cause of complaint on their surrendering the extensive
territory embraced in the treaty, and knowing there were individuals
who most assiduously endeavored to create dissatisfaction among them, I
inserted a clause securing to them certain prospective advantages
should the lands in question prove sufficiently productive at any
future period to enable the Government without loss to increase the
annuity. [Footnote: The annuities under these treaties have recently
been increased, the following item having been inserted in the Supplies
Act of Canada, viz., “Annual grant to bring up annuities payable under
the Robinson Treaty to the Chippawas of Lakes Huron and Superior, from
96 cents to $4 per head, $14,000.”] This was so reasonable and just
that I had no difficulty in making them comprehend it, and it in a
great measure silenced the clamor raised by their evil advisers.
In
allowing the Indians to retain reservations of land for their own use I
was governed by the fact that they in most cases asked for such tracts
as they had heretofore been in the habit of using for purposes of
residence and cultivation, and by securing these to them and the right
of hunting and fishing over the ceded territory, they cannot say that
the Government takes from their usual means of subsistence and
therefore have no claims for support, which they no doubt would have
preferred, had this not been done. The reservation at Garden River is
the largest and perhaps of most value, but as it is occupied by the
most numerous band of Indians, and from its locality (nine miles from
the Sault) is likely to attract others to it, I think it was right to
grant what they expressed a desire to retain. There are two mining
locations at this place, which should not be finally disposed of unless
by the full consent of Shinguacouse and his band; they are in the heart
of the village and shew no indications of mineral wealth, they are
numbered 14 and 15 on the small map appended to Messrs. Anderson and
Vidal's report. I pledged my word on the part of the Government that
the sale of these locations should not be completed, and as the
locatees have not, I believe, complied with the conditions of the Crown
Lands Department there can be no difficulty in cancelling the
transaction.
The chiefs are
desirous that their several reservations should be marked by proper
posts or monuments, and I have told them the Government would probably
send some one next spring for that purpose. As I know many of the
localities I shall be able to give the necessary information when
required.
When at Sault
Ste. Marie last May, I took measures for ascertaining as nearly as
possible the number of Indians inhabiting the north shore of the two
lakes; and was fortunate enough to get a very correct census,
particularly of Lake Superior. I found this information very useful at
the council, as it enabled me successfully to contradict the assertion
(made by those who were inciting the chiefs to resist my offers) that
there were on Lake Superior alone, eight thousand Indians. The number
on that lake, including eighty-four half-breeds, is only twelve hundred
and forty—and on Lake Huron, about fourteen hundred and twenty-two,
including probably two hundred half-breeds, and when I paid the Indians
they acknowledged they knew of no other families than those on my list.
The
number paid, as appears on the pay list, does not show the whole
strength of the different bands, as I was obliged at their own request
to omit some members of the very large families. I have annexed to this
Report the names of the chiefs, their localities, and number of souls
in each band as recognized by me in apportioning the money, thinking it
will be useful when paying the annuity hereafter.
This
information may I believe be fully relied on for Lake Superior, but the
census for Lake Huron is not so perfect; and I would suggest that
Captain Ironside should be furnished with copies of that document and
also of the pay-lists in order that he may correct in time any errors
that are found to exist.
As
the half-breeds at Sault Ste. Marie and other places may seek to be
recognized by the Government in future payments, it may be well that I
should state here the answer that I gave to their demands on the
present occasion. I told them I came to treat with the chiefs who were
present, that the money would be paid to them—and their receipt was
sufficient for me—that when in their possession they might give as much
or as little to that class of claimants as they pleased. To this no
one, not even their advisers, could object, and I heard no more on the
subject. At the earnest request of the chiefs themselves I undertook
the distribution of the money among their respective bands and all
parties expressed themselves perfectly satisfied with my division of
their funds.
On my arrival
at Penetanguishene I found the chiefs Yellowhead and Snake, from Lake
Simcoe, and Aissance, from Beausoleil's Island, waiting to see me, to
prefer their claim to a small tract of land between Penetanguishene and
the vicinity of the River Severn. I was aware of their intending to
make such a claim and took the precaution of asking the chiefs
assembled in council at the Sault whether it was well founded, they
emphatically declared that those chiefs had no claim on Lake Huron,
that they had long since ceded their lands and were in the receipt of a
large annuity, this I believe to be the case and Captain Anderson, whom
I met there, is of the same opinion; but I promised to inquire into it
and give them an answer, and I will therefore thank you to cause the
necessary information from your office to be furnished to me on the
subject. Should it appear that these chiefs have any claim I think I
could get their surrender of it for a small amount, and there remain
sufficient funds at my disposal for the purpose.
The
Canadians resident on the lands just surrendered at Sault Ste. Marie
are very anxious to obtain titles to the land on which they have long
resided and made improvements; they applied to me after the treaty and
I advised them to memorialize the Government the usual way setting
forth the manner in which they were put in possession by the military
authorities of the time, and that I had little doubt that the
Government would do them justice. I think the survey of the tract
should be made so as to interfere as little as possible with their
respective clearings and that those who can show a fair claim to the
favorable consideration of the Government should be liberally dealt
with.
It will be seen on
referring to the treaty that I have kept within the amount at my
disposal. Of the £4,160 agreed by me to be paid to the Indians of
both
lakes, there remains £75 unexpended. I could not from the
information I
possessed tell exactly the number of families I should have to pay, and
thought it prudent to reserve a small sum to make good any omissions,
there may still be a few who will prefer claims, though I know of none
at present. If not, the amount can be paid next year with the annuity
to such families as are most deserving; or it may be properly applied
in extinguishing the claim made by the Lake Simcoe Indians, should it
appear on inquiry to be just.
The
whole amount given to me in August was £5,033 6s. 8d., of this
sum
their remains £800, which I have placed in the Bank of Upper
Canada to
the credit of the Receiver-General, and I have prepared a detailed
account of the whole, which with the proper vouchers, I shall deliver
to the Accountant of the Crown Lands Department.
I
have much pleasure in acknowledging the valuable assistance afforded me
by all the officers of the Honorable the Hudson's Bay Company resident
on the lakes; and the prompt manner in which their Governor, Sir George
Simpson, kindly placed their services at my disposal.
The
report made last year by Messrs. Anderson and Vidal I found of much use
to me, and the long services and experience of the former gentleman in
Indian affairs enabled him to give me many valuable suggestions.
Captain
Cooper and his officers by attending at the council, and otherwise,
gave me most cheerfully all the aid in their power; and Captain
Ironside, of your Department, with his assistant, Assickinach, were of
essential service to me.
I
found it absolutely necessary to have the aid of some one in taking the
census of the Lake Huron Indians at the time they were receiving their
presents at Manitoulin; and as Captain Ironside was fully occupied in
attending to his own duty, I requested Mr. Keating, who had long known
the Indians on that lake, to give me his assistance. This he cheerfully
and very efficiently did, and afterwards was with me in distributing
and paying out the money.
I
have, in course of my negotiations with the Indians on the present
occasion, collected some information which may be useful to your
Department and will at an early day send it to you.
I
will thank you to lay the two treaties accompanying this Report before
His Excellency, and trust they may meet with his approval.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) W. B. ROBINSON.
THE HON. COL. BRUCE,
Superintendent-General, Indian Affairs.
Some
years after the completion of the Robinson Treaties, the then
Government of the old Province of Canada deemed it desirable to effect
a treaty with the Indians dwelling upon the Great Manitoulin Island in
Lake Huron, as a complement to the former treaties, and with the object
of rendering available for settlement the large tract of good land upon
the Island. The duty was entrusted to the Honorable William McDougall,
then Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs, who, in the month of
October, 1862, proceeded to the Island, accompanied by the late William
Spragge, Esq., Deputy Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and Mr. F.
Assicknack, of the Indian Office, Toronto, as interpreter. Mr.
McDougall encountered considerable difficulties, but by firmness and
decision eventually succeeded in obtaining a surrender from the Indians
of the Island, excluding however from the surrender that portion of it
easterly of Heywood Island and the Manitoulin Gulf.
The
terms of the treaty, which will be found in the Appendix, were adapted
to the peculiar circumstances of the Indians and were well and wisely
framed. The result has been to render available for settlement a large
tract of land on the Island, much of which is now occupied by a
prosperous and thriving population. I conclude this brief notice of an
important treaty by submitting, to the attention of the reader, the
report of the Hon. W. McDougall, to His Excellency the Governor-General
in Council, of the results of his mission.
MANITOULIN ISLAND,
November 3rd, 1862.
The
undersigned has the honor to state for the information of His
Excellency the Governor-General in Council, that, under the authority
of the Order in Council of the twelfth day of September, 1862, he
proceeded early in the month of October last to visit the Great
Manitoulin Island, accompanied by William Spragge, Esq., Deputy
Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and Mr. F. Assicknack of the Indian
Office, Toronto, as interpreter.
The
resident agent, Captain Ironside, under instructions from the
Department, had caused the Indians residing on the Island to be
notified of the intended visit of the undersigned, and of its object
and had summoned them to attend at Manitowaning on the fourth ultimo.
The
Chiefs and principal men, with the exception of one or two detained by
illness and nearly all the males above the age of eighteen years, were
present at the council.
The
undersigned stated the object of his visit, explained the wishes of the
Government in regard to the settlement of the Island, and proposed the
terms in respect to the Indians specified in the Order in Council
authorizing the negotiation. The Indians had selected one of their
Chiefs to reply to the overtures of the Government, and without taking
time to consider these overtures he proceeded to announce the
determination of the Indians to reject them unconditionally.
The
undersigned made some further explanations and directed an ajournment
of the council for an hour, during which time the Indians were
requested to consider the propositions he had made with care and
deliberation.
On
re-assembling there was an evident disposition among the bands living
westwardly of the place of meeting to listen favorably to the
propositions of the Government, but the majority were still unwilling
to treat, and by intimidation and threats of violence prevented any
open expression of opinion except by the old war Chief, Assicknack, who
declared his full assent to the wishes of the Government.
Ascertaining
that the Chief's opposition came from Indians living eastwardly of
Heywood Sound, the undersigned determined to modify the propositions of
the Government, so as to meet in some degree the objections from that
quarter.
He accordingly
adjourned the council until the following Monday, the first day of
meeting being Saturday, informing the Indians that those who were
disposed to continue the negotiations would remain while those who had
resolved to reject every proposition of the Government might go home.
He also informed them that no threats or intimidation would be allowed,
and that any one who should attempt violence would be surely punished.
Nearly all the Indians remained or returned on Monday, and being
apprised of the nature of the proposition the undersigned intended to
submit, namely, to exclude that part of the island eastwardly of the
Manitoulin Gulf and Heywood Sound from the proposed agreement, they
came to the adjourned meeting in a more friendly mood and expressed
their willingness to surrender for sale and settlement all that part of
the island westwardly of the Gulf and Sound.
The
undersigned submits herewith the deed or instrument which embodies the
agreement made and concluded between the respective parties. It was
executed by the undersigned and the Deputy-Superintendent of Indian
Affairs on behalf of the Government, and by nineteen of the Chiefs and
principal men on behalf of the Indians.
In
consequence of the modification of the terms of agreement authorized by
the Order in Council as above-mentioned and the addition of other terms
deemed necessary to prevent future difficulty, and which will be found
in the instrument, the undersigned caused a provision to be inserted
that it was not to take effect until approved by the Governor-General
in Council.
The undersigned therefore now begs to submit
the same for such approval.
(Signed) WM. McDOUGALL,
Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs.
In
the year 1871, the late Honorable Joseph Howe, then Secretary of State
of Canada, recommended the appointment by the Privy Council of Canada,
of Mr. Wemyss McKenzie Simpson, as Indian Commissioner, in consequence
of “the necessity of arranging with the bands of Indians inhabiting the
tract of country between Thunder Bay and the Stone Fort, for the
cession, subject to certain reserves such as they should select, of the
lands occupied by them.” Mr. Simpson accepted the appointment, and in
company with Messrs. S. J. Dawson and Robert Pether visited the
Ojjibewas or Chippawa Indians, between Thunder Bay and the north-west
angle of the Lake of the Woods, and took the initiatory steps for
securing a treaty with them thereafter. On his arrival at Fort Garry,
he put himself, as directed by his instructions, in communication with
his Honor, the Hon. A. G. Archibald, then Lieutenant-Governor of
Manitoba and the North-West Territories. A conference took place
between His Honor, Messrs. Simpson, Dawson and Pether, and the Hon.
James McKay, a member, at that time, of the Executive Council of
Manitoba, and himself a half-breed intimately acquainted with the
Indian tribes, and possessed of much influence over them. The Indians
in Manitoba, in the fall of 1870, had applied to the
Lieutenant-Governor to enter into a treaty with them, and had been
informed that in the ensuing year negotiations would be opened with
them. They were full of uneasiness, owing to the influx of population,
denied the validity of the Selkirk Treaty, and had in some instances
obstructed settlers and surveyors. In view of the anxiety and
uneasiness prevailing, those gentlemen were of opinion “that it was
desirable to secure the extinction of the Indian title not only to the
lands within Manitoba, but also to so much of the timber grounds east
and north of the Province as were required for immediate entry and use,
and also of a large tract of cultivable ground west of the Portage,
where there were very few Indian inhabitants.” It was therefore
resolved to open negotiations at the Lower Fort Garry, or Stone Fort,
with the Indians of the Province, and certain adjacent timber
districts, and with the Indians of the other districts at Manitoba
Post, a Hudson's Bay fort, at the north end of Lake Manitoba, the
territory being occupied principally by one nation, the Chippawas, of
whom the Saulteaux of the lakes are a branch, although there are also a
number of Swampy Crees resident within it.
Mr.
Simpson accordingly issued proclamations, inviting the Indians to meet
him on the 25th of July and 17th of August, 1871, at these points
respectively, to negotiate an Indian treaty. The Lieutenant-Governor
also issued a proclamation forbidding the sale or gift of intoxicating
liquors during the negotiation of the treaty, and applied to Major
Irvine to detail a few of the troops under his command to preserve
order, which request was acceded to.
The
Lieutenant-Governor and Mr. Simpson arrived at the Stone Fort on the
24th of July, 1871, but as the Indians had not all arrived the meeting
was postponed till the 27th, when a thousand Indians were found to have
assembled, and a considerable number of half-breeds and other
inhabitants of the country were present, awaiting with anxiety to learn
the policy of the Government.
Lieutenant-Governor Archibald, after the
Indians were assembled opened the proceedings by delivering the
following address:
“On
the 13th September last, on my first arrival in the country, I met a
number of you at the mission, I told you I could not then negotiate a
Treaty with the Indians, but that I was charged by your Great Mother,
the Queen, to tell you that she had been very glad to see that you had
acted during the troubles like good and true children of your Great
Mother. I told you also that as soon as possible you would all be
called together to consider the terms of a treaty to be entered into
between you and your Great Mother.
“I
advised you to disperse to your homes, and gave you some ammunition to
enable you to gain a livelihood during the winter by hunting.
“I
promised that in the spring you would be sent for, and that either I,
or some person directly appointed to represent your Great Mother,
should be here to meet you, and notice would be given you when to
convene at this place to talk over what was right to be done.
“Early
in the spring, Mr. Simpson, who sits beside me, was made Commissioner.
He left his home at once for this Province, by Rainy Lake and the Lake
of the Woods.
“The Indians
of the lake districts meet, as you know, on Rainy River yearly, about
the 20th June, to fish for sturgeon, I and they could not be called
together sooner.
“Mr.
Simpson met them there at that time, and talked over their affairs with
them, and made certain arrangements with them. He then hurried on to
see you, and reached this Province a week ago last Sunday. He then sent
messengers at once to all the Indians within certain bounds, asking
them to meet him here on the 25th day of July. Some of you were unable
to come so soon, and he has therefore, at the instance of those who
were here, waited till to-day to open the talk. I believe that now you
are all arrived, and ready to proceed to business.
“It
will be the duty of the Commissioner to talk to you on the particular
details of the treaty, and I will give place to him presently, but
there are one or two things of a general kind which I would like,
before I close, to bring to your notice, for you to think about among
yourselves.
“First. Your
Great Mother, the Queen, wishes to do justice to all her children
alike. She will deal fairly with those of the setting sun, just as she
would with those of the rising sun. She wishes order and peace to reign
through all her country, and while her arm is strong to punish the
wicked man, her hand is also open to reward the good man everywhere in
her Dominions.
“Your Great
Mother wishes the good of all races under her sway. She wishes her red
children to be happy and contented. She wishes them to live in comfort.
She would like them to adopt the habits of the whites, to till land and
raise food, and store it up against a time of want. She thinks this
would be the best thing for her red children to do, that it would make
them safer from famine and distress, and make their homes more
comfortable.
“But the
Queen, though she may think it good for you to adopt civilized habits,
has no idea of compelling you to do so. This she leaves to your choice,
and you need not live like the white man unless you can be persuaded to
do so of your own free will. Many of you, however, are already doing
this.
“I drove yesterday
through the village below this Fort. There I saw many well-built
houses, and many well-tilled fields with wheat and barley and potatoes
growing, and giving promise of plenty for the winter to come. The
people who till these fields and live in these houses are men of your
own race, and they shew that you can live and prosper and provide like
the white man.
“What I say
in my drive is enough to prove that even if there was not a buffalo or
a fur bearing animal in the country, you could live and be surrounded
with comfort by what you can raise from the soil.
“Your
Great Mother, therefore, will lay aside for you 'lots' of land to be
used by you and your children forever. She will not allow the white man
to intrude upon these lots. She will make rules to keep them for you,
so that as long as the sun shall shine, there shall be no Indian who
has not a place that he can call his home, where he can go and pitch
his camp or if he chooses build his house and till his land.
“These
reserves will be large enough, but you must not expect them to be
larger than will be enough to give a farm to each family, where farms
shall be required. They will enable you to earn a living should the
chase fail, and should you choose to get your living by tilling, you
must not expect to have included in your reserve more of hay grounds
than will be reasonably sufficient for your purposes in case you adopt
the habits of farmers. The old settlers and the settlers that are
coming in, must be dealt with on the principles of fairness and justice
as well as yourselves. Your Great Mother knows no difference between
any of her people. Another thing I want you to think over is this: in
laying aside these reserves, and in everything else that the Queen
shall do for you, you must understand that she can do for you no more
than she has done for her red children in the East. If she were to do
more for you that would be unjust for them. She will not do less for
you because you are all her children alike, and she must treat you all
alike.
“When you have made
your treaty you will still be free to hunt over much of the land
included in the treaty. Much of it is rocky and unfit for cultivation,
much of it that is wooded is beyond the places where the white man will
require to go, at all events for some time to come. Till these lands
are needed for use you will be free to hunt over them, and make all the
use of them which you have made in the past. But when lands are needed
to be tilled or occupied, you must not go on them any more. There will
still be plenty of land that is neither tilled nor occupied where you
can go and roam and hunt as you have always done, and, if you wish to
farm, you will go to your own reserve where you will find a place ready
for you to live on and cultivate.
“There
is another thing I have to say to you. Your Great Mother cannot come
here herself to talk with you, but she has sent a messenger who has her
confidence.
“Mr. Simpson
will tell you truly all her wishes. As the Queen has made her choice of
a chief to represent her, you must, on your part, point out to us the
chiefs you wish to represent you, as the persons you have faith in.
“Mr.
Simpson cannot talk to all your braves and people, but when he talks to
chiefs who have your confidence he is talking to you all, and when he
hears the voice of one of your chiefs whom you name he will hear the
voice of you all. It is for you to say who shall talk for you, and also
who shall be your chief men. Let them be good Indians, who know your
wishes and whom you have faith in.
“You
will look to the Commissioner to fulfil everything he agrees to do, and
the Queen will look to the chiefs you name to us, to see that you keep
your parts of the agreement.
“It is our wish to deal with you fairly and
frankly.
“If you have any questions to ask, ask them,
if you have anything you wish the Queen to know, speak out plainly.
“Now
chiefs and braves and people, I introduce to you Mr. Simpson, who will
say anything he thinks fit in addition to what I have said.
“When you hear his voice you are listening to
your Great Mother the Queen, whom God bless and preserve long to reign
over us.”
Mr.
Simpson also addressed them, and thereafter, in compliance with a
request of the Lieutenant-Governor, the Indians retired to select their
chiefs and principal spokesmen.
On
the next day the conference was resumed, the chiefs and spokesmen being
presented. The Indians, on being asked to express their views, “stated
that there was a cloud before them which made things dark, and they did
not wish to commence the proceedings till the cloud was dispersed.” On
inquiry it was ascertained that they referred to the imprisonment of
four Swampy Cree Indians, who had been convicted under a local law, of
breach of contract, as boatmen, with the Hudson's Bay Company, and on
default of payment of a fine, had been sent to prison. The
Lieutenant-Governor, as a matter of favor, ordered the release of these
prisoners, and the sky became clear. Next day the Indians met again and
declared that they would never again raise their voice against the
enforcement of the law, but much difficulty was experienced in getting
them to understand the views of the Government—they wishing to have
two-thirds of the Province as a reserve. Eventually on the 3rd of
August, 1871, a treaty was concluded, its principal features being the
relinquishment to Her Majesty of the Indian title; the reserving of
tracts of land for the Indians, sufficient to furnish 160 acres of land
to each family of five; providing for the maintenance of schools, and
prohibition of the sale of intoxicating liquors on the reserves; a
present of three dollars per head to the Indians and the payment to
them of an annuity of three dollars per head. [Footnote: In consequence
of misunderstandings having arisen, owing to the Indians alleging that
certain promises had been made to them which were not specified in
these treaties, a revision of them became necessary, and was effected
in 1875, as will be seen reported hereafter.] (See copy of treaty which
will be found in the Appendix.) On the 21st of August Mr. Commissioner
Simpson, accompanied by the Lieutenant-Governor, the Hon. James McKay,
and Mr. Molyneux St. John (lately Sheriff of the North-West
Territories), met the Indians at Manitoba Post, and found them disposed
to accept the terms of the treaty made at the Stone Fort, with which
they had already become familiar, so that little time was lost in
effecting a treaty with them as they had no special terms to prefer. By
these two treaties, there was acquired by the Crown, the extinguishment
of the Indian title in Manitoba, and in a tract of country fully equal
in resources beyond it.
Having
submitted these preliminary remarks, I conclude my notice of these
treaties by quoting, as matter alike of historical record and practical
interest, the despatches of Lieutenant-Governor Archibald and the
excellent and instructive report, addressed to the Secretary of State
by Mr. Simpson, embracing as it does a full and graphic narrative of
the proceedings which took place at the negotiation of these treaties,
and of the difficulties which were encountered by the Commissioner, and
the mode in which they were overcome.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
SILVER HEIGHTS July 32nd, 1871.
Sir,—I have the honor to
enclose you copy of a proclamation I have caused to be issued with a
view to prevent the danger arising from intoxicating drinks being given
to the Indians, on the occasion of the meeting to negotiate a treaty.
I
look upon the proceedings, we are now initiating as important in their
bearing upon our relations to the Indians of the whole continent. In
fact the terms we now agree upon will probably shape the arrangements
we shall have to make with all the Indians between the Red River and
the Rocky Mountains. It will therefore be well to neglect nothing that
is within our power to enable us to start fairly with the negotiations.
With
that view, I have, amongst other things, asked Major Irvine to detail a
few of his troops to be present at the opening of the treaty. Military
display has always a great effect on savages, and the presence even of
a few troops will have a good tendency.
I
fear we shall have to incur a considerable expenditure for presents of
food, etc. during the negotiations; but any cost for that purpose I
shall deem a matter of minor consequence. The real burden to be
considered is that which has to be borne in each recurring year.
I
doubt if it will be found practicable to make arrangements upon so
favorable a basis as that prescribed by His Excellency the
Governor-General as the maximum to be allowed, in case of a treaty with
the Lake Indians.
Nor
indeed would it be right, if we look to what we receive, to measure the
benefits we derive from coming into possession of the magnificent
territory we are appropriating here by what would be fair to allow for
the rocks and swamps and muskegs of the lake country east of this
Province.
But to this subject I shall probably take
occasion to call your attention at an early day.
I have etc.,
ADAMS G. ARCHIBALD.
THE HONORABLE
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE PROVINCES,
Ottawa.
LOWER FORT GARRY, July
20th, 1871.
Sir,—I
have the honor to inform you that on Monday last I came to this Fort
with the Commissioner to meet the Indians called here, with a view to
negotiate a treaty, intending to open the business on Tuesday morning.
It
appeared, however, on inquiry, that some bands of Indians had not
arrived on Tuesday morning, and we were therefore obliged to postpone
the opening of the meeting till Thursday. On that day the Indians from
all the sections of the country to which the invitation extended were
found present to the number of about one thousand. A considerable body
of half-breeds and other inhabitants of the country were also present,
awaiting with some anxiety to learn what should be announced as the
policy of the Government.
I
enclose you a memorandum of the observations with which I opened the
meeting. On reading them you will observe one or two points which may
require some explanation.
At
the time of the treaty with the Earl of Selkirk, certain Indians signed
as Chiefs and representatives of their people. Some of the Indians now
deny that these men ever were Chiefs or had authority to sign the
treaty.
With a view
therefore to avoid a recurrence of any such question we asked the
Indians, as a first step, to agree among themselves in selecting their
Chiefs and then to present them to us and have their names and
authority recorded.
Furthermore,
the Indians seem to have false ideas of the meaning of a reserve. They
have been led to suppose that large tracts of ground were to be set
aside for them as hunting grounds, including timber lands, of which
they might sell the wood as if they were proprietors of the soil.
I wished to correct this idea at the outset.
Mr.
Simpson followed me with some observations in the same strain, after
which the Indians retired to select their Chiefs and spokesmen.
On
Friday morning the Chiefs and spokesmen were duly presented, and after
their names were recorded, the Indians were invited to express their
views.
After some delay
they stated that there was a cloud before them which made things dark,
and they did not wish to commence the proceedings till the cloud was
dispersed.
On inquiring
into their meaning, I found that they were referring to some four of
their number who were prisoners in gaol. It seems that some Swampy
Indians had entered into a contract with the Hudson's Bay Company as
boatmen, and had deserted, and had been brought up before magistrates
under a local law of last session, and fined, and in default of payment
sent to prison for forty days.
Of
this term some considerable part had expired. A few of the offenders
had paid their fines, but there were still four Indians remaining in
prison.
On learning the
facts I told the Indians that I could not listen to them if they made a
demand for the release of the Indians as a matter of right; that every
subject of the Queen, whether Indian, half-breed or white, was equal in
the eye of the law; that every offender against the law must be
punished, whatever race he belonged to; but I said that on the opening
of negotiations with them the Queen would like to see all her Indians
taking part in them, and if the whole body present were to ask as a
matter of grace and favor, under the circumstances, that their brethren
should be released, Her Majesty would be willing to consent to their
discharge; she would grant as a favor what she must refuse if asked for
on any other ground. They replied by saying that they begged it as a
matter of favor only. Thereupon I acceded to their request, and
directed the discharge of the four Indians. This was received with
great satisfaction. I explained again, that there might be no
misunderstanding about it, that henceforth every offender against the
law must be punished. They all expressed their acquiescence in what I
said. The discharge of the prisoners had an excellent effect.
Next
morning the Indians, through one of their spokesmen, declared in
presence of the whole body assembled that from this time they would
never raise their voice against the law being enforced. After the order
of the release, the Chiefs and spokesmen addressed us questions were
asked and answered, and some progress made in the negotiations.
Eventually the meeting adjourned till this morning at ten o'clock.
A
general acquiescence in the views laid down by Mr. Simpson and myself
was expressed, but it was quite clear by the proceedings of to-day,
that our views were imperfectly apprehended. When we met this morning,
the Indians were invited to state their wishes as to the reserves, they
were to say how much they thought would be sufficient, and whether they
wished them all in one or in several places.
In
defining the limits of their reserves, so far as we could see, they
wished to have about two-thirds of the Province. We heard them out, and
then told them it was quite clear that they had entirely misunderstood
the meaning and intention of reserves. We explained the object of these
in something like the language of the memorandum enclosed, and then
told them it was of no use for them to entertain any such ideas, which
were entirely out of the question. We told them that whether they
wished it or not, immigrants would come in and fill up the country;
that every year from this one twice as many in number as their whole
people there assembled would pour into the Province, and in a little
while would spread all over it, and that now was the time for them to
come to an arrangement that would secure homes and annuities for
themselves and their children.
We
told them that what we proposed to allow them was an extent of one
hundred and sixty acres for each family of five, or in that proportion;
that they might have their land where they chose, not interfering with
existing occupants, that we should allow an annuity of twelve dollars
for every family of five, or in that proportion per head. We requested
them to think over these propositions till Monday morning.
If
they thought it better to have no treaty at all, they might do without
one, but they must make up their minds; if there was to be a treaty, it
must be on a basis like that offered.
That
under some such arrangements, the Indians in the east were living happy
and contented enjoying themselves, drawing their annuities, and
satisfied with their position.
The
observations seemed to command the acquiescence of the majority, and on
Monday morning we hope to meet them in a better frame for the
discussion and settlement of the treaty.
I have, etc.,
ADAMS G. ARCHIBALD.
The Honorable
The Secretary of State for the Provinces.
LOWER FORT GARRY,
MANITOBA, July 30th, 1871.
Sir,—I
have the honor to inform you, for the information of His Excellency the
Governor-General, that I arrived in this Province on the 16th instant,
and, after consultation with the Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba,
determined upon summoning the Indians of this part of the country to a
conference for the purpose of negotiating a treaty at Lower Fort Garry,
on Tuesday, the 25th instant, leaving for a future date the negotiation
with the Indians westward of and outside of the Province of Manitoba.
Proclamations
were issued, and every means taken to insure the attendance of the
Indians, and on Monday, the 24th instant, I proceeded to Lower Fort
Garry, where I met His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor.
On
Tuesday, finding that only a small portion of the Indians had arrived,
we held a preliminary conference with Henry Prince—the Chief of the
Swampies and Chippewas residing on what is known as the Indian Reserve,
between Lower Fort Garry and Lake Winnipeg—at which we arranged a
meeting for the next day at twelve o'clock, for the purpose of
ascertaining the names of the Chiefs and head men of the several
tribes. At this preliminary conference, Henry Prince said that he could
not then enter upon any negotiations, as he was not empowered to speak
or act for those bands of Indians not then present.
In
the meantime it was found necessary to feed the Indians assembled here,
and accordingly provisions were purchased and rations served out.
On
Wednesday, the 26th, His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor and myself
met those Indians who had arrived, in council, and addressed them with
the view of explaining the purport of my commission, and the matters
which were to form the subject of a treaty.
It
having been reported that the Indians who had not then arrived were on
their road here, we agreed that another meeting should take place on
the following day, at which the Chiefs and head men were to be
presented to us.
On
Thursday, pursuant to appointment, we again met the Indians, when the
Chiefs and head men of the several bands present were named and
presented. I then explained to them the nature of Indian reserves, and
desired them to determine, in council among themselves, the locality in
which they desired their reserves to be laid out.
On
Friday, the 28th, we again met the Indians, but they were not then
prepared to state their demands, and another meeting was appointed for
Saturday.
On Saturday, the
29th, we again met them, all having by this time arrived. When the
subject of reserves came up, it was found that the Indians had
misunderstood the object of these reservations, for their demands in
this respect were utterly out of the question. After a prolonged
discussion with them, I consulted with the Lieutenant-Governor, and
determined to let them at once understand the terms that I was prepared
to offer and I pointed out that the terms offered were those which
would receive Her Majesty's consent. On further explanation of the
subject, the Indians appeared to be satisfied, and willing to acquiesce
in our arrangements as hereinafter mentioned, and having given them
diagrams showing the size of the lots they would individually become
possessed of, and having informed them of the amount of their annuity,
it was finally settled that they should meet on Monday, the 31st and
acquaint me with their decision.
The
reserves will comprise sufficient land to give each family of five
persons one hundred and sixty acres, or in like proportion together
with an annual payment in perpetuity of twelve dollars for each family
of five persons, or in like proportion.
As far as I can judge, I am inclined to think
that the Indians will accept these terms.
I
am happy to be able to say that the precautions taken to prevent the
introduction of liquor amongst the Indians have been wholly successful,
and that perfect order and contentment have prevailed up to the present
time.
I have etc.
WEMYSS M. SIMPSON,
Indian Commissioner.
The Honorable
The Secretary of State for the Provinces,
Ottawa.
OTTAWA, November 3rd,
1871.
TO THE HONORABLE
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE PROVINCES,
Ottawa
Sir,—I have the honor to
submit to you, for the information of His Excellency the
Governor-General, a report of my negotiations with the Indians of the
Province of Manitoba, and with certain of the Indians of the North-West
Territory, entered upon by me, in accordance with your instructions,
dated 3rd May, 1871.
Having,
in association with S. J. Dawson, Esq., and Robert Pether, Esq.,
effected a preliminary arrangement with the Indians of Rainy Lake, the
particulars of which I have already had the honor of reporting to you
in my Report, dated July 11th, 1871, I proceeded by the Lake of the
Woods and Dawson Road to Fort Garry, at which place I arrived on the
16th July.
Bearing in mind
your desire that I should confer with the Lieutenant-Governor of
Manitoba, I called upon Mr. Archibald, and learned from him that the
Indians were anxiously awaiting my arrival, and were much excited on
the subject of their lands being occupied without attention being first
given to their claims for compensation. Amongst the settlers, also, an
uneasy feeling existed, arising partly from the often-repeated demands
of the Indians for a treaty with themselves, and partly from the fact
that certain settlers in the neighborhood of Portage la Prairie and
other parts of the Province, had been warned by the Indians not to cut
wood or otherwise take possession of the lands upon which they were
squatting. The Indians, it appeared, consented to their remaining on
their holdings until sufficient time had been allowed for my arrival,
and the conclusion of a treaty; but they were unwilling to allow the
settlers the free use of the country for themselves or their cattle.
Mr. Archibald and those residents in the Province of Manitoba with whom
I conversed on the subject, appeared to think that no time should be
lost in meeting the Indians, as some assurances had already been given
them that a treaty would be made with them during the summer of 1871;
and I therefore, at once, issued notices calling certain of the Indians
together, naming two places at which I would meet them. The first
meeting, to which were asked the Indians of the Province and certain
others on the eastern side, was to be held on the 25th of July, at the
Stone Fort, a Hudson's Bay Company's Post, situated on the Red River,
about twenty miles northward of Fort Garry—a locality chosen as being
the most central for those invited. The second meeting was appointed to
be held on August 17th, at Manitoba Post, a Hudson's Bay Company's
Post, at the north-west extremity of Lake Manitoba, as it was deemed
that such of the bands of Indians residing without the limits of the
Province of Manitoba, as I purposed to deal with at present, would meet
there more readily than elsewhere.
On
Monday, the 24th of July, I met the Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba at
the Stone Fort; but negotiations were unavoidably delayed, owing to the
fact that only one band of Indians had arrived, and that until all were
on the spot those present declined to discuss the subject of a treaty,
except in an informal manner. Amongst these, as amongst other Indians
with whom I have come in contact, there exists great jealousy of one
another, in all matters relating to their communications with the
officials of Her Majesty; and in order to facilitate the object in
view, it was most desirable that suspicion and jealousy of all kinds
should be allayed. The fact of the Commissioner having arrived was
sufficient evidence of the good intentions of Her Majesty's Government,
and it seemed better to await the arrival of all whom I had summoned,
than to press matters to an issue while any were absent. This, however,
entailed the necessity of feeding those who were already there, and
others as they arrived.
It
is customary in dealing with Indians to do so, and in this case it was
absolutely necessary, for, obviously, it would have been impossible to
invite those people from a distance, and then leave them to starve at
our doors, or, in search of food, to plunder the neighborhood into
which they had been introduced. At that season of the year the Indians
were not engaged in fishing or hunting, and consequently large numbers
of men, women and children attended at the place of meeting, for all of
whom food was provided. The price of provisions, even at the lowest
price for which they could be obtained, was high, pork being fifty
dollars a barrel, and flour twenty shillings sterling per hundred, and
such cattle as I was able to purchase £16 per head, so that the
expense
of keeping the Indians during the negotiation of treaty and payment of
the gratuity, which lasted eleven days, forms no small share of the
total expenditure. In addition to this expense, it was thought
necessary by the Lieutenant-Governor that Major Irvine commanding the
troops at Fort Garry should be requested to furnish a guard at the
Stone Fort during the negotiations, and that there should be at hand,
also, a force of constabulary, for the purpose of preventing the
introduction of liquor amongst the Indian encampments. Other expenses
of a somewhat similar nature were incurred, which would be totally
unnecessary upon any future occasion of payment being made to the
Indians of Manitoba. I may here refer to the apparently prolonged
duration of the first negotiation, and explain, in reference thereto,
the causes, or some of them, that entailed the loss of time and
attendant expense. For some time a doubt has existed whether the Chief,
nominally at the head of the Indians of the Indian settlement,
possessed the good will and confidence of that band; and I thought it
advisable to require that the several bands of Indians should select
such Chiefs as they thought proper, and present these men as their
authorized Chiefs, before anything was said as to the terms of a
treaty. The Indians having acquiesced in this proposal, forthwith
proceeded to such election; but the proceeding apparently involved
discussion and consideration amongst themselves, and two days elapsed
before the men chosen were presented for recognition, and the business
of the meeting commenced.
When
the peculiar circumstances surrounding the position of the Indians of
the Province were pointed out, the future of the country predicted, and
the views and intentions of the Government explained by the
Lieutenant-Governor and myself, the Indians professed a desire for time
to think over what had been said before making any reply; and when
their answer came it proved to contain demands of such an exorbitant
nature, that much time was spent in reducing their terms to a basis
upon which an arrangement could be made.
Every
band had its spokesman in addition to its Chief, and each seemed to vie
with another in the dimensions of their requirements. I may mention, as
an illustration, that in the matter of reserves, the quantity of land
demanded for each band amounted to about three townships per Indian,
and included the greater part of the settled portions of the Province.
It was not until the 3rd of August, or nine days after the first
meeting, that the basis of arrangement was arrived at, upon which is
founded the treaty of that date. Then, and by means of mutual
concessions, the following terms were agreed upon. For the cession of
the country described in the treaty referred to, and comprising the
Province of Manitoba, and certain country in the north-east thereof,
every Indian was to receive a sum of three dollars a year in
perpetuity, and a reserve was to he set apart for each band, of
sufficient size to allow one hundred and sixty acres to each family of
five persons, or in like proportion as the family might be greater or
less than five. As each Indian settled down upon his share of the
reserve, and commenced the cultivation of his land, he was to receive a
plough and harrow. Each Chief was to receive a cow and a male and
female of the smaller kinds of animals bred upon a farm. There was to
be a bull for the general use of each reserve. In addition to this,
each Chief was to receive a dress, a flag and a medal, as marks of
distinction; and each Chief, with the exception of Bozawequare, the
Chief of the Portage band, was to receive a buggy, or light spring
waggon. Two councillors and two braves of each band were to receive a
dress, somewhat inferior to that provided for the Chiefs, and the
braves and councillors of the Portage band excepted, were to receive a
buggy. Every Indian was to receive a gratuity of three dollars, which,
though given as a payment for good behaviour, was to be understood to
cover all dimensions for the past.
On
this basis the treaty was signed by myself and the several Chiefs, on
behalf of themselves and their respective bands, on the 3rd of August,
1871, and on the following day the payment commenced.
The
three dollars gratuity, above referred to, will not occur in the
ordinary annual payments to the Indians of Manitoba, and, though
doubling the amount paid this year, may now properly be regarded as
belonging to a previous year, but only now liquidated.
A
large number of Indians, entitled to share in the treaty, were absent
on the 3rd August, and in the belief that I should, almost immediately,
be able to obtain a more accurate knowledge than I possessed of the
numbers of the several bands, I paid to each person present only three
dollars—the gratuity—postponing for a short time the first annual
payment. Having completed this disbursement, I prepared to start for
Manitoba Post, to open negotiations with the Indians on the immediate
north and north-west borders of the Province of Manitoba, promising
however to visit the several bands of the first treaty, in their own
districts, and to there pay them. By this means the necessity for their
leaving their own homes, and for the Government's feeding them while
they were being paid, and during their journey home, was avoided.
After
completing the treaty at Manitoba Post, of which mention is herein
after made, I visited Portage la Prairie, the Indian settlement at St.
Peter's, Rivière Marais, and the Town of Winnipeg, according to
my
promise, and at each place, with the exception of Rivière
Marais, found
the Indians satisfied with the treaty and awaiting their payment. At
Rivière Marais, which was the rendezvous appointed by the bands
living
in the neighborhood of Pembina, I found that the Indians had either
misunderstood the advice given them by parties in the settlement, well
disposed towards the treaty, or, as I have some reason to believe had
become unsettled by the representations made by persons in the vicinity
of Pembina, whose interests lay elsewhere than in the Province of
Manitoba; for, on my announcing my readiness to pay them, they demurred
at receiving their money until some further concessions had been made
by me.
With a view to
inducing the Indians to adopt the habits and labors of civilization, it
had been agreed, at the signing of the treaty as before mentioned, to
give certain animals as a nucleus for stocking the several reserves,
together with certain farming implements; and it was now represented to
me by the spokesman of the bands, that as the Queen had, with that
kindness of heart which distinguished her dealings with her red
children, expressed a desire to see the Indians discard their former
precarious mode of living and adopt the agricultural pursuits of the
white man, they were desirous of acceding to the wish of their great
Mother, and were now prepared to receive the gifts she had been good
enough to speak of, through her Commissioner, in full. But, as it could
make no difference whatever to their great Mother whether these things
were given in kind or in money value, her red children of the Pembina
bands were resolved to receive them in the latter form. I had put a
valuation upon all the articles mentioned in the supplement to the
treaty, and could go no further in the matter unless I was prepared to
pay them for all these articles at the rates they would now proceed to
mention. I declined to comply with the request, and they declined to
receive their first annual payment, whereupon I broke up my camp and
returned to Winnipeg. As I foresaw at the time this determination on
their part was shortly repented, and a number of their leading men were
subsequently paid at Winnipeg, while at the request of the Indians, the
money for the remainder, together with a pay sheet, was forwarded to
the officer in charge of the Hudson's Bay Company's Post at Pembina,
with instructions to pay the Indians as per list as each might present
himself. At Portage la Prairie, although the number paid at the Stone
Fort was largely increased, there still remained many who, from absence
or other causes, were not paid, and by the request of the Chief the
money was left for these with the officers in charge of the Hudson's
Bay Company's Post, in the same manner as was done for the Pembina
bands.
As I was unable to
proceed to Fort Alexander, the payments for the Indians or for such of
them as were present at the signing of the treaty, were sent in like
manner to the officer in charge of the Hudson's Bay Company's Post at
Fort Alexander; but it may be as well to mention that the number so
paid will fall far short of the total number belonging to that place.
The latter remark will apply to the Pembina band, for their payment was
sent as per gratuity list, and there must necessarily have been others
who did not receive payment. All these must receive their back payments
during the course of next year.
During
the payment of the several bands, it was found that in some, and most
notably in the Indian settlement and Broken Head River Band, a number
of those residing among the Indians, and calling themselves Indians,
are in reality half-breeds, and entitled to share in the land grant
under the provisions of the Manitoba Act. I was most particular,
therefore, in causing it to be explained, generally and to individuals,
that any person now electing to be classed with Indians, and receiving
the Indian pay and gratuity, would, I believed, thereby forfeit his or
her right to another grant as a half-breed; and in all cases where it
was known that a man was a half-breed, the matter, as it affected
himself and his children, was explained to him, and the choice given
him to characterize himself. A very few only decided upon taking their
grants as half-breeds. The explanation of this apparent sacrifice is
found in the fact that the mass of these persons have lived all their
lives on the Indian reserves (so called), and would rather receive such
benefits as may accrue to them under the Indian treaty, than wait the
realization of any value in their half-breed grant.
The
Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba having expressed a desire to be present
at the negotiation of the treaty at Manitoba Post. His Honor,
accompanied by the Hon. James McKay, proceeded thither with me, in
company with Mr. Molyneux St. John, the Clerk of the Legislative
Assembly of Manitoba, who had assisted me in the duties connected with
the former treaty and payments. I left Winnipeg on the 13th August, but
owing to adverse winds on Lake Manitoba did not arrive until two days
after the time appointed. I found that, in the meanwhile, the officer
in charge of the Hudson's Bay Company's Post had been obliged to give
some provisions to the Indians pending my arrival, but on my speaking
to the leading men of the bands assembled, it was evident that the
Indians of this part had no special demands to make, but having a
knowledge of the former treaty, desired to be dealt with in the same
manner and on the same terms as those adopted by the Indians of the
Province of Manitoba.
The
negotiation with these bands therefore occupied little time and on the
21st August, 1871, a treaty was concluded by which a tract of country
three times as large as the Province of Manitoba was surrendered by the
Indians to the Crown. Payment in full, that is to say, the gratuity and
the first payment, was at once made; and I have since written to the
officers in charge of the Hudson's Bay Company's Posts within the tract
above referred to, requesting them to procure for me a reliable census
of the Indians, parties to this treaty.
I
have referred to the cost of effecting these treaties, and remarked
that it will prove to be exceptional. It may be regarded as entirely
so, as far as the Indians with whom the dealings were held are
concerned. In the future the annual payment will be only one-half to
each Indian of the amount paid this year, for the gratuity was the same
as the payment, and the heavy expense of feeding the Indians while at
the place of meeting and on their journey home, will be avoided by the
payment being made at or near their own reserves.
All
the collateral expenses, therefore, of this year, including dresses,
medals, presents to the Indians, etc., etc., will not appear in the
expenses attending during future payments.
But
it is to be remembered that a large number of Indians, whose lands were
ceded by the second treaty, were not present. The distance from the
hunting grounds of some to Manitoba Post is very great; but while their
absence was to be regretted for some reasons, it effected a very
considerable saving in the item of provisions.
During
the ensuing season, these persons will probably be found at the place
where the payments will be made, and will then require their payments
as if they had been present at the signing of the treaty.
Of
the land ceded in the Province of Manitoba, it will be hardly necessary
for me to speak, as His Excellency the Governor-General is already in
possession of accurate information touching its fertility and
resources; but I may observe that, valuable as are these lands, they
are fully equalled if not exceeded by the country of which the
Government now comes into possession by virtue of the treaty concluded
at Manitoba Post. Already settlers from the Provinces in Canada and
elsewhere are pushing their way beyond the limits of the Province of
Manitoba; and there is nothing but the arbitrary limits of that
Province, and certain wood and water advantages found in the territory
beyond it, to distinguish one part of the country from the other. The
fertility that is possessed by Manitoba is shared by the country and
its confines. The water courses of the Province are excelled by those
of the territory; and the want of wood which threatens serious
difficulty in the one is by no means so apparent in the other.
The
Indians of both parts have a firm belief in the honor and integrity of
Her Majesty's representatives, and are fully impressed with the idea
that the amelioration of their present condition is one of the objects
of Her Majesty in making these treaties. Although many years will
elapse before they can be regarded as a settled population—settled in
the sense of following agricultural pursuits—the Indians have already
shown a disposition to provide against the vicissitudes of the chase by
cultivating small patches of corn and potatoes. Moreover, in the
Province of Manitoba, where labor is scarce, Indians give great
assistance in gathering in the crops. At Portage la Prairie, both
Chippawas and Sioux were largely employed in the grain field; and in
other parishes I found many farmers whose employés were nearly
all
Indians.
Although serious
trouble has from time to time occurred across the boundary line, with
Indians of the same tribes, and indeed of the same bands as those in
Manitoba, there is no reason to fear any trouble with those who regard
themselves as subjects of Her Majesty. Their desire is to live at peace
with the white man, to trade with him, and, when they are disposed, to
work for him; and I believe that nothing but gross injustice or
oppression will induce them either to forget the allegiance which they
now claim with pride, or molest the white subjects of the sovereign
whom they regard as their Supreme Chief.
The
system of an annual payment in money I regard as a good one, because
the recipient is enabled to purchase just what he requires when he can
get it most cheaply, and it also enables him to buy articles at second
hand, from settlers and others, that are quite as useful to him as are
the same things when new. The sum of three dollars does not appear to
be large enough to enable an Indian to provide himself with many of his
winter necessaries; but as he receives the same amount for his wife or
wives, and for each of his children, the aggregate sum is usually
sufficient to procure many comforts for his family which he would
otherwise be compelled to deny himself.
* * * * *
I
take this opportunity of acknowledging the assistance afforded me in
successfully completing the two treaties, to which I have referred, by
His Honor the Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba, the Hon. James McKay,
and the officers of the Hudson's Bay Company. In a country where
transport and all other business facilities are necessarily so scarce,
the services rendered to the Government by the officers in charge of
the several Hudson's Bay Posts has been most opportune and valuable.
I have, etc.,
WEMYSS M. SIMPSON,
Indian Commissioner.
In
the year 1871 the Privy Council of Canada issued a joint commission to
Messrs. W. M. Simpson, S. J. Dawson and W. J. Pether, authorizing them
to treat with the Ojibbeway Indians for the surrender to the Crown of
the lands they inhabited—covering the area from the watershed of Lake
Superior to the north-west angle of the Lake of the Woods, and from the
American border to the height of land from which the streams flow
towards the Hudson's Bay. This step had become necessary in order to
make the route known as “the Dawson route,” extending from Prince
Arthur's Landing on Lake Superior to the north-west angle of the Lake
of the Woods, which was then being opened up, “secure for the passage
of emigrants and of the people of the Dominion generally,” and also to
enable the Government to throw open for settlement any portion of the
land which might be susceptible of improvement and profitable
occupation. The Commissioners accepted the appointment, and in July,
1871, met the Indians at Fort Francis.
The
tribes preferred claims for right of way through their country. The
Commissioners reported “that they had admitted these to a limited
extent and had made them presents in provisions and clothing and were
also to pay them a small amount in money, it being fully and distinctly
understood by the Indians that these presents and clothing were
accepted by them as an equivalent for all past claims whatever.” The
Commissioners having explained to them fully the intentions of the
Government as to obtaining a surrender of their territorial rights, and
giving in return therefor reserves of land and annual payments, asked
them to consider the proposals calmly* and meet the Commissioners the
succeeding summer to come to an arrangement. In 1872, the Indians were
found not to be ready for the making of a treaty and the subject was
postponed. In the year 1873 a commission was issued to the Hon.
Alexander Morris, then Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba and the
North-West Territories, Lieut.-Col. Provencher, who had in the interval
been appointed Commissioner of Indian Affairs in the place of Mr.
Simpson, who had resigned, and Lindsay Russell Esq., but the latter
being unable to act, Mr. Dawson, now M.P. for Algoma, was appointed
Commissioner in his stead. These Commissioners having accepted the duty
confided to them, met the Indians at the north-west angle of the Lake
of the Woods in the end of September, 1873, and, after protracted and
difficult negotiations, succeeded in effecting a treaty with them. A
copy of the treaty will be found in the Appendix, and a brief record of
the utterances of the Indians and of the Commissioners, which was taken
down in short hand by one of the soldiers of the militia force, is
hereto subjoined. This treaty was one of great importance, as it not
only tranquilized the large Indian population affected by it, but
eventually shaped the terms of all the treaties, four, five, six and
seven, which have since been made with the Indians of the North-West
Territories—who speedily became apprised of the concessions which had
been granted to the Ojibbeway nation. The closing scenes were striking
and impressive. The chief speaker, Mawe-do-pe-nais, thus winding up the
conference on the part of the Indians, in his final address to the
Lieutenant-Governor and his fellow Commissioners:
“Now
you see me stand before you all: what has been done here to day has
been done openly before the Great Spirit and before the nation, and I
hope I may never hear any one say that this treaty has been done
secretly: and now in closing this council, I take off my glove, and in
giving you my hand I deliver over my birthright and lands: and in
taking your hand I hold fast all the promises you have made, and I hope
they will last as long as the sun rises and the water flows, as you
have said.”
The conference
then adjourned, and on re-assembling, after the treaty had been read
and explained, the Commissioners signed it and the Lieutenant-Governor
called on an aged hereditary Chief, Kee-ta-kay-pi-nais, to sign next.
The Chief came forward, but declined to touch the pen, saying, “I must
first have the money in my hand.” The Lieutenant-Governor immediately
held out his hand and directed the interpreter to say to the chief,
“Take my hand and feel the money in it. If you cannot trust me for half
an hour do not trust me forever.” When this was repeated by the
interpreter, the Chief smiled, took the out-stretched hand, and at once
touched the pen, while his mark was being made, his last lingering
distrust having been effectively dispelled by this prompt action and
reply. The other Chiefs followed, and then the interpreter was directed
to tell Kee-ta-kay-pi-nais, the Chief, that he would be paid forthwith,
but the Chief at once replied, “Oh no, it is evening now, and I will
wait till to-morrow.” The payments were duly made next day, and so was
closed, a treaty, whereby a territory was enabled to be opened up, of
great importance to Canada, embracing as it does the Pacific Railway
route to the North-West Territories—a wide extent of fertile lands,
and, as is believed, great mineral resources. I now quote the official
despatch of the Lieutenant-Governor, dated the 14th October, 1873, in
which will be found, a full narrative of the proceedings, connected
with the treaty, and a statement of the results thereby effected. I
also submit a short-hand report of the negotiations connected with the
treaty.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
FORT GARRY, October 14th, 1873.
Sir,—I have the honor to
enclose copy of a treaty made by myself, Lieut.-Col. Provencher, Indian
agent and S. J. Dawson, Esq., Commissioner, acting on behalf of Her
Majesty, of the one part, and the Saulteaux tribe of Ojibbeway Indians
on the other, at the North-West Angle of the Lake of the Woods, on the
3rd of October, for the relinquishment of the Indian title to the tract
of land therein described and embracing 55,000 square miles. In the
first place, the holding of the negotiation of the treaty had been
appointed by you to take place at the North-West Angle before you
requested me to take part therein, and Mr. Dawson had obtained the
consent of the Indians to meet there on the 10th of September, but they
afterwards changed their minds, and refused to meet me unless I came to
Fort Francis. I refused to do this, as I felt that the yielding to the
demand of the Indians in this respect, would operate injuriously to the
success of the treaty, and the results proved the correctness of the
opinion I had formed. I therefore sent a special agent (Mr. Pierre
Levaillier) to warn them that I would meet them as arranged at the
North-West Angle on the 25th, or not at all this year, to which they
eventually agreed.
I left
here for the Angle on the 23rd September and arrived there on the 25th,
when I was joined by Messrs. Provencher and Dawson the last named of
whom I was glad to find had been associated with the Commissioners in
consequence of the resignation of Mr. Lindsey Russell, thereby giving
us the benefit as well of his knowledge of the country to be dealt
with, as of the several bands of Indians therein. Mr. Pether, of Fort
Francis, was also in attendance, and Mr. Provencher was accompanied by
Mr. St. John, of his department.
On
arriving, the Indians, who were already there, came up to the house I
occupied, in procession, headed by braves bearing a banner and a Union
Jack, and accompanied by others beating drums. They asked leave to
perform a dance in my honor, after which they presented to me the pipe
of peace. They were then supplied with provisions and returned to their
camp. As the Indians had not all arrived, and for other reasons, the
26th, 27th and 28th were passed without any progress but on the 29th I
sent them word that they must meet the Commissioners next morning.
Accordingly, on the 30th, they met us in a tent, the use of which I had
obtained from the military authorities. I explained to them the object
of the meeting, but as they informed me that they were not ready to
confer with us, I adjourned the meeting until next day. On the 1st
October they again assembled. The principal cause of the delay was
divisions and jealousies among themselves. The nation had not met for
many years, and some of them had never before been assembled together.
They were very jealous of each other, and dreaded any of the Chiefs
having individual communications with me, to prevent which they had
guards on the approaches to my house and Mr. Dawson's tent. On the 2nd
October they again assembled, when I again explained the object of the
meeting, through Mr. McPherson, an intelligent half-breed trader, whose
services I secured. M. Chatelan, the Government interpreter, was also
present. They had selected three spokesmen, and had also an Indian
reporter, whose duty was to commit to memory all that was said. They
had also secured the services of M. Joseph Nolin, of Point du Chene, to
take notes in French of the negotiations, a copy of which notes I
obtained from him and herewith enclose. The spokesmen informed me they
would not treat as to the land until we settled with them as to the
Dawson route, with regard to which they alleged Mr. Dawson had made
promises which had not been kept, and that they had not been paid for
the wood used in building the steamers, nor for the use of the route
itself. Mr. Dawson explained that he had paid them for cutting wood,
but had always asserted a common right to the use of wood and the water
way. He asked them what promise had not been kept, and pointed out that
the Government had twice before endeavored to treat with them for a
settlement of all matters. He referred them to me as to the general
question of the use of the route. They were unable to name any promises
which had not been kept. Thereupon I told them I came on behalf of the
Queen and the Government of the Dominion of Canada to treat with them
with regard to the lands and all other matters, but that they refused
to hear what I had to say; they had closed my mouth; and as we would
not treat except for the settlement of all matters past and future I
could not speak unless they asked me to do so. They conferred among
themselves, and seeing that we were quite firm, the spokesman came
forward and said that they would not close my mouth, after which they
would make their demands. The Commissioners had had a conference and
agreed, as they found there was no hope of a treaty for a less sum, to
offer five dollars per head, a present of ten dollars, and reserves of
farming and other lands not exceeding one square mile per family of
five, or in that proportion, sums within the limits of our
instructions, though I had private advices if possible not to give the
maximum sum named, as the Government had been under a misapprehension
as to amounts given to the bands in the United States. The Chiefs heard
my proposal, and the meeting adjourned until next day. On the 3rd
October the Chiefs again assembled and made a counter proposition, of
which I enclose a copy, being the demand they have urged since 1869. I
also enclose an estimate I had made of the money value of the demand,
amounting to $125,000 per annum. On behalf of the Commissioners I at
once peremptorily refused the demand. The spokesmen returned to the
Chiefs, who were arranged on benches, the people sitting on the ground
behind them, and on their return they informed me that the Chiefs,
warriors and braves were of one mind, that they would make a treaty
only if we acceded to their demand. I told them if so the conference
was over, that I would return and report that they had refused to make
a reasonable treaty, that hereafter I would treat with those bands who
were willing to treat, but that I would advise them to return to the
council and reconsider their determination before next morning, when,
if not, I should certainly leave. This brought matters to a crisis. The
Chief of the Lac Seul band came forward to speak. The others tried to
prevent him, but he was secured a hearing. He stated that he
represented four hundred people in the north, that they wished a
treaty, that they wished a school-master to be sent them to teach their
children the knowledge of the white man; that they had begun to
cultivate the soil and were growing potatoes and Indian corn, but
wished other grain for seed and some agricultural implements and
cattle. This Chief spoke under evident apprehension as to the course he
was taking in resisting the other Indians, and displayed much good
sense and moral courage. He was followed by the Chief “Blackstone,” who
urged the other Chiefs to return to the council and consider my
proposals, stating that he was ready to treat, though he did not agree
to my proposals nor to those made to me. I then told them that I had
known all along they were not united as they had said; that they ought
not to allow a few Chiefs to prevent a treaty, and that I wished to
treat with them as a nation and not with separate bands, as they would
otherwise compel me to do, and therefore urged them to return to their
council, promising to remain another day to give them time for
consideration. They spent the night in council, and next morning having
received a message from M. Charles Nolin, a French half-breed, that
they were becoming more amenable to reason, I requested the Hon. James
McKay (who went to the Angle three times to promote this treaty),
Charles Nolin and Pierre Levaillier to go down to the Indian Council,
and as men of their own blood, give them friendly advice. They
accordingly did so, and were received by the Indians, and in about half
an hour afterwards were followed by Messrs. Provencher and St. John,
who also took part in the interview with the Council of Chiefs. The
Chiefs were summoned to the conference by the sound of a bugle and
again met us, when they told me that the determination to adhere to
their demands had been so strong a bond that they did not think it
could be broken, but they had now determined to see if I would give
them anything more.
The
Commissioners had had a conference, and agreed previously to offer a
small sum for ammunition and twine for nets, yearly—a few agricultural
implements and seeds, for any band actually farming or commencing to
farm, and to increase the money payment by two dollars per head if it
should be found necessary in order to secure a treaty, maintaining a
permanent annuities at the sum fixed. The Indians on the other hand had
determined on asking fifteen dollars, with some other demands. In
fixing the ten dollars the Commissioners had done so as a sum likely to
be accepted in view of three dollars per head having been paid the
Indians the first year the Dawson route was used, and that they had
received nothing since. In reply to the Indians, I told them I was glad
that they had reconsidered their decision, and that as they had done
so, being desirous of inducing them to practice agriculture and to have
the means of getting food if their fishing and hunting failed, we would
give them certain implements, cattle and grain, once for all, and the
extra two dollars per head of a money payment. This proposal was
received favorably, but the spokesmen again came forward and said they
had some questions to ask before accepting my proposal. They wanted
suits of clothing every year for all the bands, and fifty dollars for
every Chief annually. This I declined, but told them that there were
some presents of clothing and food which would be given them this year
at the close of treaty. They then asked free passes forever over the
Canada Pacific Railway, which I refused. They then asked that no
“fire-water” should be sold on their reserves, and I promised that a
regulation to this effect should be introduced into the treaty. They
then asked that they should not be sent to war, and I told them the
Queen was not in the habit of employing the Indians in warfare. They
asked that they should have power to put turbulent men off their
reserves, and I told them the law would be enforced against such men.
They asked what reserves would be given them, and were informed by Mr.
Provencher that reserves of farming and other lands would be given them
as previously stated, and that any land actually in cultivation by them
would be respected. They asked if the mines would be theirs; I said if
they were found on their reserves it would be to their benefit, but not
otherwise. They asked if an Indian found a mine would he be paid for
it, I told them he could sell his information if he could find a
purchaser like any other person. They explained that some of their
children had married in the States, and they wished them to return and
live among them, and wanted them included in the treaty. I told them
the treaty was not for American Indians, but any bona fide British
Indians of the class they mentioned who should within two
years be found resident on British soil would be recognized.
They
said there were some ten to twenty families of half-breeds who were
recognized as Indians and lived with them, and they wished them
included. I said the treaty was not for whites, but I would recommend
that those families should be permitted the option of taking either
status as Indians or whites, but that they could not take both. They
asked that Mr. Charles Nolin should be employed as an Indian Agent, and
I stated that I would submit his name to the Government with favorable
mention of his services on that occasion. They asked that the Chiefs
and head men, as in other treaties, should get an official suit of
clothing, a nag, and a medal, which I promised. Mawedopenais produced
one of the medals given to the Red River Chiefs, said it was not
silver, and they were ashamed to wear it, as it turned black, and then,
with an air of great contempt, struck it with his knife. I stated that
I would mention what he had said, and the manner in which he had
spoken. They also stated the Hudson Bay Company had staked out ground
at Fort Francis, on part of the land they claimed to have used, and to
be entitled to, and I promised that enquiry would be made into the
matter. They apologized for the number of questions put me, which
occupied a space of some hours, and then the principal spokesman,
Mawedopenais, came forward and drew off his gloves, and spoke as
follows: “Now you see me stand before you all. What has been done here
to-day, has been done openly before the Great Spirit, and before the
nation, and I hope that I may never hear any one say that this treaty
has been done secretly. And now in closing this council, I take off my
glove, and in taking your hand, I deliver over my birthright, and
lands, and in taking your hand I hold fast all the promises you have
made, and I hope |