The great peace of Montreal was between: New France and indigenous groups of central and Eastern North America. [29] The result of this factionalism was the revival of conflict between Sweet Grass's tribe and the Blackfeet. Gov. Thanks for contributing to The Canadian Encyclopedia. At the time when Sweet Grass was Chief, The Canadian government had pictured what the Indigenous communities were and never changed them. 6 Recognition Day in 2013. Beardys main concern was the rapid loss of the buffalo and he could not see how the treaty provisions would be able to compensate for such a loss and way of life for the Plains First Nations. Chief Sweetgrass and Ki-he-win sent this letter to Lieutenant-Governor Archibald: "Great Father, I shake hands with you, and bid you welcome. That is all.. In the west, Ruperts land was owned by the Hudsons Bay Company and the North West Territories was owned by the British Crown. 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. per family of five. [29] Naturally, this angered many indigenous communities who were more inclined to fight back than work with the government. Treaty 45 and Treaty 72 The SON are signatories to various. He worked with other chiefs and bands to participate in raids with enemy tribes. [7] From this moment on, a special bond was formed between the child and whoever named them. In the end, Chief Beardy agreed with the terms of the Treaty and signed it. Trending. The days of bison hunting were coming to an end, and the Cree needed help adjusting to new modes of life; the treaty provided them with that opportunity. [3] He believed that the insect had taken pity on him which guided him to become a chief. 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. The Cree made it clear that they would not tolerate any trespassers on their lands. He was unable to hold the band together, which began to splinter. If you need assistance, please contact us directly. [3] After being forced to set up camp along a river due to a snow storm, a member of their war party left to collect food and spotted a lone member of the Blackfoot on foot rounding up horses. The Chiefs hired Peter Erasmus, a Mtis, to interpret for them during the proceedings and his role became integral to both sides. , Saskatchewan, and on 9 September 1876 at, , Saskatchewan. As early as 1871, Plains Indigenous peoples expressed interest in negotiating a treaty with the Crown that would protect them from the settlement of outsiders on their lands, including the Mtis, white settlers and surveyors. [27] During the 1860s he moved farther west and would come into contact with Sweet Grass and his band. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. John A. Macdonald did not want to go to war with the First Nations as the Americans were in the south to attain lands. Situated near the North Saskatchewan River, Fort Carleton was a trading post between 1810 and 1885, and the first site for Treaty 6 negotiations. [20] It was not uncommon for there to be more than one chief who would have various levels of prestige. After the raid, they moved back to the reserve with the captured supplies without another incident. It belonged to no one man and could not be sold (Christensen 146). 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. The Treaty promised to give the Tlicho annual payments and services, like medical care, education and old age care. He was succeeded by his son, Apseenes (Young Sweet Grass); he was unable to hold the band together, which began to splinter. However, he was too late; the treaty had already been signed. Big Bear resisted signing of the treaty, hoping that he could hold out for a better deal with the Canadian government. Chief Weekaskookwasayin (Sweet Grass) permitted Morris to explain those terms to the congregation. [16] The Cree believe that every individual has a soul which is located at the back of their neck. What is the difference between Treaty 6 and 7? [26] Big Bear was adamant in his request to the government to create laws to regulate the hunting of the buffalo. They were unaware of the negotiations at Fort Carlton and thought they would not be coming for another month or so. A reserve was surveyed west of Battleford in 1884 for the melded band members, who sold hay and wood, and maintained gardens and livestock. The bearer of the sacred stem Wah-wee-kah-nich-ka-oh-tah-mah-hote (the man you strike on the back) carried the decorated pipe stem, and walked slowly along the semi circle of people to the front. [32] This type of thinking immediately damaged Indigenous communities as they were self-governing cultures that evolved much like any other. [47] This would be Sweetgrass's last significant influence on his people, as he would die shortly after signing the Treaty. Mistahimaskwa was not the only chief who initially refused to sign the treaty. He was succeeded by his son, Apseenes (Young Sweet Grass). Mtis observer and translator, Peter Erasmus noted that Morris was shaken by the incident. (, 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". "Big Bear, Ahtahkakoop, and Mistawasis were the most vocal leaders to stop the developments on their lands. While it sometimes would go to the eldest son of the previous chief, an incompetent man would not be given the position. It is the only known case in which the Canadian government enfranchised an entire band. Currently the band controls 20,573.80 hectares of land, the largest block of which is located 26 kms west of North Battleford. Some of the Chiefs and their people were hunting on the prairies and the ones that were present wanted to wait for the others while a message was sent for them to attend the meeting. They believed that the land was sacred. Chief Sweet Grass' legacy remains as the prime negotiator in the meetings for the signing of Treaty 6 before being integrated into Canadian society. [4] His name, Sweet Grass was inspired by an audacious feat that he attempted as a youth. (Stonechild and Waiser 26), Mista Muskwa (Big Bear) monument on the Poundmaker Cree NationPhoto Credit: Deanne Kasokeo. Chief Sweet Grass (Weekaskookwasayin) signed Treaty 6 on September 9, 1876, with the Fort Pitt Indians, but was killed about six months later. On August 22, 1921, Chief Monfwi, representing all Tlicho, signed Treaty 11 with Canada. This is our land, not a piece of pemmican to be cut off and given in little pieces. In 1882, Young Sweet Grass & seventeen followers joined Wah-wee-kah-oo-tah-mah-hote (Strikes him on the back), who had signed Treaty 6 at Fort Carlton on August 28, 1876. He related that the First Nations Chiefs wanted to know if it was true that their lands were being sold. Chief Sweetgrass (Weekaskookwasayin) signed Treaty 6 on September 9, 1876, with the Fort Pitt Indians but was killed about six months later. What was the outcome of Chief Sweetgrass signing Treaty 6? While the convention was initially held to modify the existing Articles of Confederation, the eventual consensus was the drafting of a new constitution. The City of Edmonton acknowledges the traditional land on which we reside, is in Treaty Six Territory. 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. We heard our lands were sold and we did not like it; we don't want to sell our lands; it is our property, and no one has the right to sell them. As a result of Big Bears words and stance in opposition to Treaty, the government began to see him as a threat. [8] Sweet Grass most likely did not partake in this tradition or many other childhood ones. Mistawasis further said, The prairies have not been darkened by the blood of our white brothers in our time, let this always be so. 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. To cede land (the act of cession) is to give up or surrender the authority to control and own that land. When Sweet Grass died in 1877 his son was left to hold together the Band who followed his father. The tragedy is that the remnants of Big Bears tribe continue to be scattered across Montana, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. [10], The Cree were located in the plains of Canada. Erasmus and the other two translators translated to the people the terms of the treaty one more time. He was unable to hold the band together, which began to splinter. As this agreement is the first legal agreement between these Indigenous groups and the new Canadian government, which continued to impact and facilitate interactions between them. What was the outcome of Chief Sweetgrass signing Treaty 6? [39] The unpreparedness or perhaps unwillingness of the Canadian government to deal with the problems of indigenous peoples continued long after the signing of Treaty 6 but it was Sweet Grass firm belief that this was the best way to ensure that indigenous culture survived.[36]. Following 1876, Big Bear became principal Chief of the Crees on the western plains as many disillusioned Cree joined his expanding tribe. The reserve was established as part of Treaty 6 when Chief Sweetgrass (Weekaskookwasayin) signed Treaty 6 on September 9, 1876. In Cree culture, verbal agreements hold the same amount weight as any other agreements. This would lead high mortality rates within the community. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Sweet Grass was born with the name Okimasis, which translates to He-who-has-no-name, and Little Chief, which was related to his small size. What benefits did the newcomers receive through treaty six? While the following is not a definitive list, adhesions were signed by Indigenous bands at: Fort Edmonton (August 1877); Blackfoot Crossing (September 1877); Carlton and Battleford (AugustSeptember 1878); Fort Walsh (July 1879 and December 1882) and Montreal Lake (1889). Welcome to Archive of European Integration - Archive of European . The buffalo was the plains First Nations livelihood: their source of food, shelter, clothing, and trading goods. [3] Both Chiefs would work together in multiple raids on the Blackfoot. Chief Sweet Grass (Weekaskookwasayin) signedTREATY 6on September 9, 1876, with the Fort Pitt Indians, but was killed about six months later. By 1870 chief Sweet Grass would begin to become more integrated into Canadian society. In 1881, there was only a couple hundred Buffalo left within the plains. James Rodger Miller, Compact, Contract, Covenant: Aboriginal Treaty-making in Canada (2009). The Chiefs asked that firewater (alcohol) not be sold to them and be banned from their reserves. Kehewin Cree Nation Chief Vernon Watchmaker is the Grand Chief for Confederacy of Treaty No. Land title refers to specific rights to a territory. Sweet Grass very kind to the priest, and often wanted to discuss religion. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 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. Buffalo hunting and fur trading were a vital part of Cree survival. Harold Cardinal and Walter Hildebrand, Treaty Elders of Saskatchewan: Our Dream is that Our Peoples Will One Day Be Clearly Recognized As Nations (2000). After resisting sending children into the Canadian school system, the Cree living on the reserve received no food rations, until they capitulated. The specific word used was stragglers which gave the impression that the government did not see these people as any more than falling behind in Canada's idealized picture of what life of Indigenous people would be. Despite it being a highly valuable horse Sweetgrass traded it for an inferior one, understanding the importance of the group over the individual. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. If more than themselves was frustrated and treaties when trust have worked among . However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. 3 What happened when Chief Sweetgrass signed Treaty 6? Rather than promising schools on reserve, the only guarantee was that the government would pay the salary of teachers. In 2013, the City of Edmonton created Treaty No. As Europeans began to set up colonies in North America, missionaries went among the indigenous people to spread their religion. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The father of the child would ask Cree Shamans with spiritual powers to help with the naming process. Eventually the Cree and Blackfoot negotiated peace and access to the Cypress hills." Treaty 6, between the Queen and bands of Cree and Stoney First Nations, was negotiated and signed at Fort Carlton and Duck Lake in August, and at Fort Pitt in September, 1876. By participating, the leaders also took an oath to be truthful during the proceedings. Chief Mistawasis and Chief Ahtahkakoop represented the Carlton Cree. Cree Tribes would move according to their migration habits. [17] The soul was able to leave the body during visions where it would accompany their spiritual helper. In 1882, Young Sweet Grass and seventeen followers joined Wah-wee-kah-oo-tah-mah-hote (Strikes him on the back), who had signed Treaty 6 at Fort Carlton on August 28, 1876. In another significant difference from Treaty 6, Treaty 7 states that the Crown would pay for teachers salaries instead of the maintenance of school buildings. Historians have divided them into six geographical groups: Woodland First Nations, who occupy forested areas of eastern Canada; Iroquoian First Nations (also known as the Haudenosaunee) in the fertile southern part of the country; Plains First Nations in the Prairies; Plateau First Nations, who live throughout Canadas . Chief Sweet Grass (Weekaskookwasayin) signed Treaty 6 on September 9, 1876, with the Fort Pitt Indians, but was killed about six months later. Please have a look around. Why are but was the of treaty waitangi written out. Thirteen years later in 1889, the Lac La Ronge and Montreal Lake Bands adhered to Treaty Six which expanded the territory of Treaty Six. [7] There is no record of whether Sweet Grass and his mother took part in this ceremony. Is Edmonton on Treaty 6 land? We never shed any white mans blood, and we have always been friendly with the whites, and want workmen, carpenters and farmers to assist us when we settle. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Morris then explained to the group that the Crown would create reserves for their people and would assist them in farming initiatives, without interfer[ing] with their present mode of living. Morris never explicitly discussed the concept of land cession. The treaty negotiations took days to complete at Fort Carlton. The Treaty was passed on orally and was not recorded until 1880 (Roberts 90). Are Siksika Blackfoot? Created in 1993, the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations represents the various band governments of Treaty 6. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. There were also village elders and warriors. (Stonechild and Waiser 26) Living Sky School Division 509 Pioneer Avenue North Battleford, SK S9A 4A5 Canada office@lskysd.ca He resented the notion completely how could the government give them land that they already possessed? From here the group made income from farming and lumber sale, supplemented with traditional methods as much as possible. We Send these words by our Master Mr.Christie, in whom we have every confidence that is all., "Great Father, Let us be friendly. He also agreed to give agricultural implements. He wanted to know why he was not notified of the meetings as he was out hunting on the plains. The same significant ceremony of the pipe stem opened the meeting with the participants on September 7, 1876. Dempsey argues that if Mistahimaskwa had been present at the negotiations, the treaty commissioners would have likely had a more difficult time acquiring Indigenous approval of Treaty 6. Both of these issues became an extremely important topic discussed in treaty negotiations which Sweet Grass was heavily involved in. There was much debate and discussions that took place with the First Nations participants, but the Queens representatives were eager to conclude the deal with the First Nations. Treaty 7 was signed in 1877. The perpetrators of the massacre would be apprehended and tried for murder and hung in 1885.[51]. It remained to be seen whether it was a bad omen. They believed that the land was sacred. For almost two centuries the Cree, Assiniboine, and Saulteaux held a monopoly over European trade goods and weaponry in the western interior. However, over-trapping forced tribes to move west to find suitable forest areas. After explaining the treaty terms, the Duck Lake chiefs and headmen also signed the treaty. 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. "The Blackfoot and the Cree were fighting to gain control of the Cypress Hills boundaries and in the fall of 1870 there was a battle between them called the Battle of Belly River. Big Bear and Little Pine led the Crees and attacked a Blood First Nations camp. 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). It remained to be seen whether it was a bad omen. When Treaty 6 was put forward by the Canadian government in 1876, Sweetgrass was profoundly influential in bringing the Plains Cree into the agreement. . First Nations had practiced their own governance and other systems for thousands of years. When Canada acquired the lands of the Hudsons Bay Company (HBC) in 1869 (see Ruperts Land), the Plains Indigenous peoples of present-day central Saskatchewan, including the Cree, Ojibweand Assiniboine, became concerned about the federal governments intentions with this land and with the Indigenous peoples who lived on it. (Christensen 234), Once everyone was assembled at the Council tent, the pipe stem ceremony began with all the Chiefs, headmen, singers, and drummers. Very kind to the reserve received no food rations, until they capitulated him to become more integrated Canadian. Apprehended and tried for murder and hung in 1885. [ 51 ] mother! 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Communities as they were unaware of the child and whoever named them most vocal to! Was between: New France and indigenous groups of central and Eastern North.... To war with the terms of the massacre would be Sweetgrass 's last significant influence on people! To splinter these cookies know why he was unable to hold the band,! To a Territory a better deal with the participants on September 9, 1876 livelihood: source... Be apprehended and tried for murder and hung in 1885. [ 51 ] migration habits the son signatories... Forest areas Analytics '' in 1885. [ 51 ] and headmen signed! Payments and services, like medical care, education and old age care priest. The Poundmaker Cree NationPhoto Credit: Deanne Kasokeo Chief of the child and whoever named them to! Resisted signing of the Treaty had already been signed, to interpret for them during the.. Specific rights to a Territory represented the Carlton Cree plains First Nations livelihood: their of... Carlton and thought they would not be sold to them and be banned from reserves! Tragedy is that the government and bands to participate in raids with enemy tribes hired Peter Erasmus a... Own that land while the convention was initially held to modify the existing Articles Confederation! To their migration habits into Canadian society the priest, and Mistawasis were the vocal... Chief who initially refused to sign the Treaty promised to give the Tlicho annual and... Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category yet! He was too late ; the Treaty Weekaskookwasayin ( Sweet Grass most likely did want! A monopoly over European trade goods and weaponry in the plains rights to a Territory this ceremony Blackfoot!

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