[34] whoever was responsible for conveying these concerns did not do so effectively as many of the requests were not met, at least not when they needed it most. Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs Website Design by M.R. His goal was to spread the Roman Catholic faith to the Western parts of Canada. [27] During the 1860s he moved farther west and would come into contact with Sweet Grass and his band. What were the main terms of Treaty 6? Treaty 6 included terms that had not been incorporated into Treaties 1 to 5, including a medicine chest at the house of the Indian agent on the reserve, protection from famine and pestilence, more agricultural implements, and on-reserve education. The treaty boundaries extend across central portions of present-day, On 27 July 1876, Morris left for Fort Carlton to negotiate a treaty with the Plains Indigenous peoples of Saskatchewan. We invite you to come and see us and to speak with us. In addition to rights and provisions similarly enshrined in Treaties 1 to 5, Morris agreed to three terms brought forward by the chiefs that are not found in previous Numbered Treaties. Treaty 6 was signed by Crown representatives and Cree, Assiniboine and Ojibwe leaders on 23 August 1876 at Fort Carlton, Saskatchewan, and on 9 September 1876 at Fort Pitt, Saskatchewan. (, A few months after the Pitt meeting, Chief Sweetgrass was shot and killed by accident with the gun presented to him as a treaty gift, at the hands of his best friend. As the treaty process never included women in the discussion it ignored an important cultural pressure. The perpetrators of the massacre would be apprehended and tried for murder and hung in 1885.[51]. He raised the stem to the heavens, then slowly turned to the north, south, east, and west - presenting the stem at each point. Fearing starvation and unrest, many of the initially hesitant chiefs signed adhesions to the treaty in the years to come, including Minahikosis (who signed in July 1879) and Mistahimaskwa (who signed on 8 December 1882 at Fort Walsh). The meaning of land and the surrender of it was not entirely understood by those who were signing the agreement. They needed to know what the government planned to do to help the people suffering due to the decimation of the buffalo and disease that had killed many. From here the group made income from farming and lumber sale, supplemented with traditional methods as much as possible. They believed that their people would suffer if they did not negotiate a treaty with the federal government. He worked with other chiefs and bands to participate in raids with enemy tribes. Although Treaty 6 was significant in advancing the settlement of the lands, First Nations faced difficult times ahead and the promises of Treaty were never fully realized to present day. Chief Sweet Grass (Weekaskookwasayin) signed Treaty 6 on September 9, 1876, with the Fort Pitt Indians, but was killed about six months later. Just before the Treaty party left Fort Pitt, Big Bear arrived and asked to speak with Morris. He resented the notion completely how could the government give them land that they already possessed? Chief James Seenum, a Woods Cree leader from Whitefish Lake requested a larger territory for his reserve, but he was denied (Stonechild and Waiser 24). Although, the Chiefs were waiting for the government for some years now to address them, they were still uneasy of what the future held for their people as they were about to embark on a new way of living. These included rights that indigenous people could hunt and fish and had provisions on their land. In the face of survival, the Cree started to assemble and meet with one another to discuss their approach to the government. Mtis observer and translator, Peter Erasmus noted that Morris was shaken by the incident. Chief Sweet Grass (Weekaskookwasayin) signed Treaty 6 on September 9, 1876, with the Fort Pitt Indians, but was killed about six months later. When Treaty 6 was negotiated in 1876 between the Cree Nation and the Dominion of Canada on behalf of the British Crown, Big Bear was not summoned by Canada and arrived after the Treaty was concluded. Charter prohibiting the use of force except in self defense. [3] Sweet Grass and Big Bear had formed a war party for this exact purpose as stated previously. In the summer of 1875, messengers from the Canadian government came to Cree territory to inform them that the government would be coming to negotiate a Treaty with them the following summer of 1876. [3] Sweet Grass was ten years older, so Big Bear recognized him as the superior chief. In 1860, a member of the Plains Cree had killed a Blackfoot chief, which had sparked a war against them. I for one will take the hand that is offered. Ahtahkakoop supporting his fellow Chief and said, Let us not think of ourselves but our childrens children, let us show our wisdom by choosing the right path while we yet have a choice (Stonechild and Waiser 17). There were also village elders and warriors. First Nations started hearing rumors that their lands were being sold without their consent. Included would be a medicine chest kept at the Indian Agents homes for the use of the First Nations but at the discretion of the Indian Agent. Since the signing of Treaty 6 in 1876, there have been disagreements between Indigenous signatories and the federal government, stemming from misunderstandings about the true meaning and intention of the treaty terms. [26] In 1852 the priest Father Lacombe moved to the Red River Colony with plans to live with the Metis and Cree. I for one will take the hand that is offered. Ahtahkakoop supporting his fellow Chief and said, Let us not think of ourselves but our childrens children, let us show our wisdom by choosing the right path while we yet have a choice (, The First Nations further negotiated terms not promised in earlier treaties, such as: the, assistance in times of calamity and pestilence, The last day of the Treaty negotiations at Fort Carlton took place on August 23, 1876. Prime Minister John A. Macdonald wantedto expand the new Dominion west to the Pacific Ocean (Dodson 17). He was succeeded by his son, Apseenes (Young Sweet Grass). He said that the land set aside for their reserves would be held in trust by the Queen, one square mile for every family of five. Poundmaker, a Councilor from Red Pheasants band, stood up and protested, This is our land, not a piece of pemmican to be cut off and given in little pieces. They agreed with much of what was being said, however, they wanted to ensure their survival, and that the Great Queen Mother would look after them. Claiming lands for the sake of the tribe b. After the raid, they moved back to the reserve with the captured supplies without another incident. The following is the inscription on the Big Bear monument at Poundmaker First Nation: "The Great Cree leader, Chief Big Bear has entered the history books as one of Canadas most feared, yet profoundly misunderstood, First Nations Leader. [4] Warriors consistently taunted him due to his stature within the village. Mistawasis further said, The prairies have not been darkened by the blood of our white brothers in our time, let this always be so. He raised the stem to the heavens, then slowly turned to the north, south, east, and west - presenting the stem at each point. Are Siksika Blackfoot? Morris reassured the terms of the treaty, I want the Indians to understand that all that has been offered is a gift, and they still have the same mode of living as before (Christensen 268). In 1878, Chief Michel Calihoo signed an adhesion to Treaty 6 on behalf of his band. [37] What Treaty 6 did deliver was more division and segregation between European settlers and Indigenous people. Treaty 6 peoples have also protected their treaty rights through land claims and lawsuits. [16] An individual acquired a spiritual helper after they appeared to them in a vision. When the North-West broke out in 1885, Wandering Spirit, a war Chief took over Frog Lake and most of the white inhabitants were killed. [22] Days of fighting ensued however, both chiefs managed to survive.[23]. [2] Due to this, Sweet Grass was not Cree and was Crow. He wanted to know why he was not notified of the meetings as he was out hunting on the plains. For example, some regard the medicine chest clause as a promise for equal and full access to health care. Why was Treaty 6 so important? Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. This would lead high mortality rates within the community. [40] Although it is not known which of the Cree Chiefs supported an unexpected attack on a Blackfoot Chief, it is known that Sweet Grass was not among them. This has led to conflict over the clauses of the agreement. The Cree made it clear that they would not tolerate any trespassers on their lands. Dickieson, Mistahimaskwa referred to the treaty as a dreaded rope to be about my neck. Mistahimaskwa was not referring to a literal hanging (which is what some government officials had believed), but to the loss of his and his peoples freedom, and Indigenous loss of control over land and resources. [47] This would be Sweetgrass's last significant influence on his people, as he would die shortly after signing the Treaty. However, this likely happened because he was born in a Cree Camp. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Sweet Grass converted to Christianity in 1870, [25] being baptized into Catholicism with the name Abraham. Sweet Grass himself converted to Catholicism in 1870, following a general shift of Cree towards Christianity. [22] The attempted raid went wrong as Sweet Grass and Big Bear nearly stumbled upon Blackfoot main camp. Thanks for contributing to The Canadian Encyclopedia. Reverend McKay translated Big Bears words, and when Morris heard this he interpreted it to mean that Big Bear did not want to be hanged by the government. Michael Asch, Aboriginal and Treaty Rights in Canada (2011). If the chief remained silent, the murderer was usually executed by the victim's relatives. The Sweetgrass Nation was settled into the land West of the township Battleford, Saskatchewan in 1884. The peak of the conflict came in 1861 when the Blackfoot had threatened to kill any Cree, Metis, or white man whom they stumbled upon. [43] As history has demonstrated, peace between the Blackfoot and the Plains Cree does not last very long. It is ours and we will take what we want. The Cree resoundingly approved of Pitikwahanapiwiyins statements, waving their hands and cheering. Amendments to the Indian Act in 1985 re-established Indian status to over 750 members of the band. Morris did not understand that Chief Beardy and the Willow Cree declined to negotiate Treaty because it did not follow Beardy's vision, not because of the treaty itself. Who signed treaty 11? [18] Chiefs within Cree society were chosen by the consent of the band. Chief Sweetgrass (Weekaskookwasayin) signed Treaty 6 on September 9, 1876, with the Fort Pitt Indians but was killed about six months later. The City of Edmonton acknowledges the traditional land on which we reside, is in Treaty Six Territory. But the Canadian government insisted that its grudging distribution of rations was a matter of favour, not a treaty obligation. In August 1876, among the first to arrive at Fort Carlton were Chiefs Ahatahkakoop, Mistawasis and their followers (Stonechild and Waiser 5). They were unaware of the negotiations at Fort Carlton and thought they would not be coming for another month or so. After resisting sending children into the Canadian school system, the Cree living on the reserve received no food rations, until they capitulated. The band was to serve as a model for group Indigenous enfranchisement. Sweet Grass understood the sacrifices that needed to be made for the bettering of the band. At that time, they as well were facing low fur prices, and poor hunting and fishing. Is Edmonton on Treaty 6 land? It is considered in present day that the medicine chest led to the concept of free health care. The treaty annuities are annual cash payments distributed by the Government of Canada to the descendants of the Indigenous peoples who signed the RobinsonSuperior and RobinsonHuron treaties and the Numbered Treaties. On the afternoon of July 27, 1876, the Honourable Alexander Morris and his treaty party left Fort Garry (present day Winnipeg) and headed northwest along Carlton trail to the Hudsons Bay Company trading post Fort Carlton (Stonechild and Waiser 10). He worked with other chiefs and bands to participate in raids with enemy tribes. They wanted assurance of their spiritual and physical survival (Price 20). Adhesions continued into the 20th century, with the bands of Rocky Mountain House (May 1944 and 1950), Witchekan Lake (November 1950) and Cochin (August 1954 and May 1956). + - This map is a work in progress. [17], The position of chief within the Cree varied from tribe to tribe and each had varying levels of authority over the band. [15] However, this almighty creator appeared to individuals through various sprits such as the bear and horse. With encroaching settlers and other indigenous groups, the dwindling of traditional hunting,[45] and disease rampant,[46] Sweet Grass and his band of Cree were desperate for support. Interpreter, Peter Erasmus, now employed with the government and travelling with the Treaty party translated the terms of the Treaty signed. Like the earlier agreements this treaty called on the natives to surrender their aboriginal title to the lands they inhabited In return they were promised reserves education and farming supplies and the right to hunt trap and fish as well as annual cash payments. In exchange for Indigenous title to their land (, ), Treaty 6 provided: an annual cash payment of $25 per chief; $15 per headman and $5 for all other band members; a one-time cash payment of $12 for each band member; and reserve lands in the amount of one mile. ) The First Nations further negotiated terms not promised in earlier treaties, such as: the medicine chest and assistance in times of calamity and pestilence. For almost two centuries the Cree, Assiniboine, and Saulteaux held a monopoly over European trade goods and weaponry in the western interior. Big Bear and Little Pine also believed in the sovereignty of their own Nations and were opposed to the idea of another Nation governing and applying their laws to them. As a result of Big Bears words and stance in opposition to Treaty, the government began to see him as a threat. Little Pine and Big Bear were opposed to Treaty negotiations because they believed that the buffalo could still be preserved and that there was a need to regulate the hunting of the buffalo from non-First Nations. What was the outcome of Chief Sweetgrass signing Treaty 6? It was a tough decision to make. The treaty boundaries extend across central portions of present-day Alberta and Saskatchewan. [3] There is no record of his father. They felt the treaty did not do enough to protect the Cree 'way of life' and forced assimilation into European culture and 'way of life'. A few months after the Pitt meeting, Chief Sweetgrass was shot and killed by accident with the gun presented to him as a treaty gift, at the hands of his best friend. He reminded them that the buffalo were disappearing and that they would have to learn to farm to feed themselves. Chief Beardy then refused to be part of the negotiations at Fort Carlton and Morris understood this would be a problem to the Treaty process for the Willow Cree(Stonechild and Waiser 11). The Constitution established a presidential system with separation of . It remained to be seen whether it was a bad omen. [30] Another was that the government should stop supplying weapons to the Blackfeet who were his tribe's enemy. However, Big Bear was found guilty of treason-felony by judge Hugh Richardson. It remained to be seen whether it was a bad omen. However, they are still not recognized collectively as an Indian band with Indigenous and treaty rights. Chief Sweet Grass' legacy remains as the prime negotiator in the meetings for the signing of Treaty 6 before being integrated into Canadian society. Morris answered, some Half-breeds want to take lands at Red River and join the Indians here, but they cannot take with both handsthe small class of Half-Breeds who live as Indians and with the Indians, can be regarded as Indians by the Commissioners, who judge each case of its own merits. (Christensen 269) This meant that the Mtis people would not be included in Treaty 6 unless they were considered to be a part of the people living on the reserve land with First Nations. The manager of the HBC post at Fort Carlton, Lawrence Clarke, wrote to government officials that same summer, alerting them that the Cree had also threatened to turn back telegraph workers who were trying to construct a line from Winnipeg to Edmonton. When Sweet Grass died in 1877 his son was left to hold together the Band who followed his father. These agents were assigned to Indian reserves and bands and attempted to act as a liaison between the Government and First Nation communities. Other Nations held them in fear(Stonechild and Waiser 5). While the signing of the treaty can be seen as selling away indigenous rights, it did bring much-needed medication and food to the Cree who had insufficient options. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. It was required to distinguish themselves during a war, as a provider, and as a generous giver to gain this position. University of SaskatchewanDisclaimer|Privacy|Accessibility, Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan, Big Island Lake First Nation (Joseph Big Head), Hatchet Lake Denesuline Nation (Lac la Hache), Indian Policy and the Early Reserve Period, Island Lake Band (Ministikwan Indian Reserve), Mosquito, Grizzly Bears Head, Lean Man First Nations, Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, Young Chipeewayan First Nation (Stony Knoll). 6 on behalf of his what was the outcome of chief sweetgrass signing treaty 6 on their land Erasmus, now with... 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