This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The treaty also provided twine and ammunition at a value of $1,500 per year, and agricultural implements, such as gardening tools, livestock, horses and wagons. As stated previously, part of what the Cree wanted to be reflected by the terms of Treaty 6 was an end to the factionalism that had pitted the younger members of the Cree community against the older Indigenous Leadership. 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 . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT3EjLPW2uw. To cede land (the act of cession) is to give up or surrender the authority to control and own that land. Eventually the Cree and Blackfoot negotiated peace and access to the Cypress hills." This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. He was succeeded by his son, Apseenes (Young Sweet Grass); he was unable to hold the band together, which began to splinter. They still controlled the territory and to trade their land for an uncertain future would be an admission of defeat (, Although there was much dissension from a number of First Nations, it was Ahtahkakoop and Mistawasis whoasked the representatives of the Crown what they could offer the people if they did not agree to Treaty. What was the Indigenous perspective of treaty 6. agreement between sovereign nations. Wah-wee-kah-oo-tah-mah-hote was chief from 1876 to 1883; but he was deposed in 1884, and Young Sweet Grass became chief. Morris reassured the First Nations that their way of life and survival would not be disturbed and guaranteed well into the future. The Cree made it clear that they would not tolerate any trespassers on their lands. There were many subsequent adhesions to the treaty by . (Dodson 19), Honourable Alexander Morris, Lieutenent -Governor of Manitoba, North-WestTerritories (later Saskatchewan and Alberta) and Keewatin. How long does it take to become a CNA in Tennessee? [32] Sweet Grass along with three other Chiefs attempted to get ahead of government control by meeting with the representative of the Canadian government in the west Lieutenant Governor Archibald to petition the Hudson's Bay Company's (HBC) sale of land to the government. The signing of Treaty 6 was not the only reason for conflict between the Cree and other prominent Indigenous tribes in the region. On arrival at Fort Carlton on 15 August, Morris met with the head chiefs of the Carlton Cree: Mistawasis (Big Child) and Ahtahkakoop (Star Blanket). 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. [16] The Cree believe that every individual has a soul which is located at the back of their neck. We had a great starvation the past winter, and the smallpox took away many of our people, the old, young, and children. Chief Sweetgrass (Weekaskookwasayin) signed Treaty 6 on September 9, 1876, with the Fort Pitt Indians but was killed about six months later. Governor Morris considered the provisions the leaders had asked for and was willing to make some concessions, but he would not agree to all of them. [49] After signing the treaty, some of the Cree remained unsatisfied with the situation they had been forced into. Edmonton was founded in Treaty No 6 territory and Treaty No 6 Recognition Day recognizes Edmonton's connection with the First peoples of this land. He was succeeded by his son, Apseenes (Young Sweet Grass). For a time there was discussion regarding Erasmus words, but then Sweetgrass stood up to say, Mistawasis and Ahtahkakoop I consider far wiser than I am; therefore if they have accepted this treaty for their people after many days of talk and careful thought, then I am prepared to accept for my people. The other Chiefs agreed with him and they were ready to meet with Morris to accept the Treaty. Four days later, Morris met with the Duck Lake band. Signed in 1876, Treaty 6 was the agreement between the government of Canada and the Indigenous people living in parts of modern-day Saskatchewan and Alberta. 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. Michael Asch, Aboriginal and Treaty Rights in Canada (2011). Recognize Edmonton sits within Treaty No. Treaty 7 lands (courtesy Victor Temprano/Native-Land.ca). As a well respected Cree leader during a time of strife, Sweet Grass attempted to lead his people as best as he could. Morris reassured the First Nations that their way of life and survival would not be disturbed and guaranteed well into the future. [30] Another was that the government should stop supplying weapons to the Blackfeet who were his tribe's enemy. For almost two centuries the Cree, Assiniboine, and Saulteaux held a monopoly over European trade goods and weaponry in the western interior. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. The total area of the Treaty stretches from western Alberta, through Saskatchewan and into Manitoba; and inlcudes 50 First Nations. Historians Arthur J. Ray, Jim Miller and Frank Tough have argued that this ceremony was significant to the Cree because it invited the Creator to provide guidance to the negotiators and to witness the treaty discussions. Wandering Spirit stayed in power for the duration of the uprising while Big Bear counselled for peace and protecting the white prisoners. [48] The Canadian government could hold out for longer than any of the Cree groups who were slowly dying from starvation and disease. They wanted assurance of their spiritual and physical survival (Price 20). [29] The result of this factionalism was the revival of conflict between Sweet Grass's tribe and the Blackfeet. [24] In 1870, there were hundreds of thousands, which provided an immense amount of resources for the Cree to a point where they were able to only take the choice parts of the Buffalo. Just before the Treaty party left Fort Pitt, Big Bear arrived and asked to speak with Morris. [7] From this moment on, a special bond was formed between the child and whoever named them. He was succeeded by his son, Apseenes (Young Sweet Grass). [18] Chiefs within Cree society were chosen by the consent of the band. Jill St. Germain, Indian Treaty-making Policy in the United States and Canada, 186777 (2001). The Treaty party left Fort Pitt and made their way back to Fort Garry. That is all.. Trending. First Nations started hearing rumors that their lands were being sold without their consent. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It is ours and we will take what we want. There was strong approval that came from the people and the Governor was visibly shaken (, The First Nations were a proud and strong people but were facing an uncertain future. 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. [52] In Cree cultural the chiefs do not always hold the legal right to make choices for the entire band. As a result of Big Bears words and stance in opposition to Treaty, the government began to see him as a threat. A messenger was sent for Sweetgrass, but it is unknown why Big Bear and Little Pine didnt receive the message. Chief Sweet Grass (Weekaskookwasayin) signed Treaty 6 on . 1 What was chief mistawasis Role in Treaty 6? "Big Bear, Ahtahkakoop, and Mistawasis were the most vocal leaders to stop the developments on their lands. The University of Saskatchewan's main campus is situated onTreaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Mtis. During discussions, Gov. 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. The last day of the Treaty negotiations at Fort Carlton took place on August 23, 1876. (Christensen 234), Once everyone was assembled at the Council tent, the pipe stem ceremony began with all the Chiefs, headmen, singers, and drummers. This was met with approval from the people. Morris statement about reserves was immediately met with resistance by Pitikwahanapiwiyin (Poundmaker), a local leader who became a great chief in the 1880s. [40] Whenever a Cree war party was formed to go hunting in Blackfoot territory, caution had to be exercised, especially after the threat had been established. First Nations started hearing rumors that their lands were being sold without their consent. They created an iron alliance that enabled them to expand across the northern plains. [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]. After the raid, they moved back to the reserve with the captured supplies without another incident. He was succeeded by his son, Apseenes (Young Sweet Grass); he was unable to hold the band together, which began to splinter. Big Bear heard of the disharmony in Treaty 4 territory, they found that the promises of the treaty were not being honored by the government (, For several days the Chiefs met and waited for others to arrive. (Christensen 270). What benefits did the newcomers receive through treaty six? First Nations were alarmed at the various newcomers coming onto their lands and conducting geological surveys for telegraph lines, the railway, and lands for settlement (Tobias 191). If the chief remained silent, the murderer was usually executed by the victim's relatives. What is the difference between Treaty 6 and 7? He was succeeded by his son, Apseenes (Young Sweet Grass). In exchange for Indigenous title to their land (see Indigenous Territory), 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 mile2 (about 2.5 km2) per family of five. There are 1,577 registered members, 537 of whom live on reserve. Its used to categorize all Indigenous Peoples from across Canada as one big homogenized group. Treaty 6 was signed in 1876. While it sometimes would go to the eldest son of the previous chief, an incompetent man would not be given the position. According to international law, a treaty: Is a legally binding agreement outlining the rights and duties of its signatures. Big Bear stands tall in the memory of the Cree Nation as a proud and truly visionary leader who fought against the forces of Canadian colonialism and ultimately suffered for his Nation. Many people would leave the reserve due to government policies to limit food rations. Sweet Grass during the signing of the treaty was one of the most well-regarded plains Cree chiefs and was given a position of importance during negotiations. They believed that the land was sacred. 6 between the Plains, Wood Cree, Nakota, Saulteaux, and Dene people and the Crown at Fort Carlton on August 23, 1876. On September 9, the Chiefs and Headmen signed their approval to accept Treaty 6. 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). Negotiated peace and access to the Blackfeet who were his tribe 's enemy and... And stance in opposition to Treaty, some of the uprising while Big Bear counselled peace! Between Sweet Grass ) Chiefs and Headmen signed their approval to accept Treaty 6 and... 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