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What are treaties and who are What are treaties? the First Nation signatories of Treaties are constitutionally binding agreements between sovereign nations that Treaty 6? set out the conditions for a peaceful alliance and the extinguishment of title from First Nations, from ’s perspective. This was to allow immigration, settlement and a Alberta transfer of land title to the British Crown, as set out in the royal Proclamation of 1763. From North Prince Albert the perspective of Indigenous people, treaties Red Deer are built on an assumption of a respectful, TREATY 6 cooperative and bilateral relationship between Indigenous and non- Treaties outline the rights, benefits and obligations of the signing parties to each other. Medicine Regina Hat The treaties in are between the Crown Wayburn and signing and reflect the worldviews and understanding of identity of TREATY 6 the signing peoples. The intent and provisions of the treaties do not end. This was assigned *Note: This map shows the Adapted from AADNC approximate of treaty land through a ceremonial and sacred agreement https://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/DAM/ as there is no consensus between that incorporates the spirit and intent for DAM-INTER-HQ/STAGING/texte-text/ rightsholders and stakeholders htoc_1100100032308_eng.pdf about exact treaty boundaries. treaties to last, “as long as the sun shines, the grass grows.” the’ ke tseteth’STEPPING STONES Treaties are There are 11 What obligations, rights and across Canada, with Treaties benefits are included in the law of the 6, 7 and 8 encompassing most Treaty 6? land in the of Alberta. The reasons to sign From the Crown’s perspective, relationship treaties differed for the two all treaties included the signatory groups. The British surrendering of large parcels of between First Crown, and later the land to the Crown with small Nations and the government, wanted land for parcels set aside for reserve , settlement and land. First Nations signatories to rest of Canada. resource development. The Treaty 6, however, were assured signing of treaty by the Crown that they were agreeing to was to extinguish Indigenous share the land and its resources title to land so that the Crown rather than to completely could then exert claim. The surrender it to the Crown. First Nations in the territory Asotamaakewina (promises) now known as Alberta were made to the First Nations concerned with the spread of included farm equipment, diseases such as smallpox, and farm animals, annuities, the dramatic disappearance ammunition, and rights to of the , a main food hunt and fish on traditional source. They felt the signing territory. The Crown also of the treaty would ensure the promised Treaty 6 signatories survival of their people. The the establishment of schools on pipe ceremony conducted prior reserve land and a medicine to the signing of a treaty had chest, which is interpreted to strong cultural and spiritual mean . To significance. Participating in address the concern over loss of traditional food sources, a the sacred ceremony required YUET CHAN promise of rations during times the signing parties to speak the Adrian LaChance, the talented of pestilence and famine was truth during negotiations and Running Thunder Dancer, originally added. from James First Nation, to keep any commitments made performs a traditional dance at in its presence. Barnett House. WHO ARE THE PEOPLE How did Treaty 6 come to be? OF TREATY 6 IN Treaty 6 covers the central west portions of present day Alberta ? and Saskatchewan. It was first Treaty 6 encompasses 17 First signed on August 23, 1876 at Fort Nations in central Alberta Carlton and on September 9, 1876 including the Suliné, Cree, at Fort Pitt, Saskatchewan between and the Crown, Cree, Chipweyan peoples. and Stoney nations. Adhesions Denesuliné are also known as (further signatories) were made , a Cree term that COURTESY LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA, ACC. NO. 1964-1-1M throughout Saskatchewan and refers to their manner of dress. Alberta including Chip-way-yan Enoowuk means Indian Chiefs Medal, Presented to commemorate Treaty Numbers 3, 4, in 1877, in 1877, “pointed-hood-wearing people.” 5, 6, 7, 8 Sounding in 1879, and Rocky The First Nations is Mountain House in 1944 and 1950. the governing body for people

Walking Together: Education for Reconciliation descended from several different Nakota Sioux are also known Dene Suliné historic groups as Stoney, which refers to the in Treaty 6. They occupy the custom of preparing food using NEXT STEPS territory around present-day heated stones; the Cree term for Cold Lake, in the northeast stone is asini and the Sioux term of the close to the is pwaatak. The French wrote »»» Saskatchewan border. With the the word as . In parts “Treaties are the law of the land in the relationship creation of the Cold Lake Air of Canada, they are known as between First Nations and the Weapons Range in 1952, the Cold Assiniboine. Nakota Sioux are rest of Canada.” Lake First Nation lost of much part of the individual nations of of their traditional territory and three separate groups: Dakota, Office of the Treaty continue to fight to practice their Lakota and Nakota. The Nakota Commissioner of Saskatchewan . Sioux allied themselves with the Cree. The Alexis Nakota Sioux Reconciliation is about Cree Nehiyawak, or “the people,” understanding the past and Nation is located near the sacred in the Cree , make up the working together to build lake Wakamne, Manto Sahkahikan largest population of Indigenous a new future. First Nations (Cree) or Lac Ste Anne. The people in Treaty 6. The term Cree people today view the treaties lake remains a spiritual centre as a sacred covenant that is a contraction of Kristenaux, the during the annual Lake Ste Anne applies to all the land in the French Jesuit spelling of Kenistino, pilgrimage. Reserve land was treaty area, not just reserved the name given to the Indigenous also created near Hinton and land. “We are all treaty people of the area on historical hunting people” means that we all by the Anishnabe and later the territories. have rights and obligations French fur traders. Cree people with respect to the treaty area. migrated westward as hunters The Paul First Nation, or Paul Many school jurisdictions and traders. Cree Nations in Band, is of mixed Cree and and schools demonstrate Treaty 6 include Alexander First Nakoda origin. understanding of treaties during meetings and events Nation, , The O’Chiese First Saulteaux by acknowledging the current , Frog Lake Nation is located near Rocky and historical rights and First Nation, Heart Lake First Mountain House, and O’Chiese contributions of First Nations Nation, , people today are of Saulteaux people who have shared , Sunchild and Cree ancestry. The O’Chiese their land with . First Nation and the Whitefish/ First Nation were the last to Statements of treaty land Goodfish Cree Nation. The sign an adhesion to Treaty 6 acknowledgements are also Sharphead Band was considered in 1950. There are a variety of posted on the walls of some abandoned by the government. interpretations of where the school buildings. As well, introducing First Nations The and Pakan bands Saulteaux people of O’Chiese elders and leaders who are were strongly influenced and derived from. Their history in attendance shows honour coerced to relinquish title. The states that the people of O’Chiese and respect for our peaceful was the only group came from various areas. Some coexistence and shared in Canada to be forcibly mass accounts claim they travelled community. enfranchised. The Samson Cree west for trapping. The plains Nation, , Ojibwa, or , who and moved to the west are known First Nation are members of the as Saulteaux, the French term Four Nations of . Cree meaning “people of the rapids.” people used to gather in the Bear Anishinabek people are most Hills, or Maskwacisihk, for social commonly found in central and spiritual purposes. Canada.

Stepping Stones | FIRST NATIONS TREATIES IN ALBERTA: TREATY 6 Continuing Your Learning Journey FOR FURTHER STUDY Assembly of First Nations (AFN). 2014. a) What does the phrase, “We are all treaty people” mean? Do all “Treaty Implementation and Enforcement.” people of Treaty 6 benefit equally? AFN website. http://www.afn.ca/en/ policy-areas/Treaty-Implementation-and- Enforcement (accessed March 30, 2017).

Daschuk, J. 2013. Clearing the Plains. Regina: University of Regina Press.

Erasmus, P. 2015. Buffalo Days and Nights. Calgary: Fifth House Publishers.

Indigenous and Affairs. 2010. “Treaties with Aboriginal People in Canada.” Indigenous and Northern Affairs website. https://www.aadnc-aandc b) How do differing world views impact the interpretation of .gc.ca/eng/1100100032291/1100100032292 treaty provisions in modern times? (accessed March 30, 2017).

Russell, D. 1991. Eighteenth Century Cree and Their Neighbours. Issue 143 of Mercury Series. : Canadian Museum of Civilization.

Taylor, J L. 1985. “Treaty Research Report — Treaty Six (1876).” Treaties and Historical Research Centre, Indigenous and Northern Affairs website. https://www.aadnc-aandc .gc.ca/eng/1100100028706/1100100028708 (accessed March 30, 2017).

The Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations. http://www.treatysix.org/ (accessed March 30, 2017).

O’Chiese First Nation History. http://www .ochiese.ca/history (accessed May 3, 2017)

Stepping Stones is a publication of the Alberta Teachers’ Association Walking Together Project intended to support certificated teachers on their learning journey to meet the First Nations, Métis and Foundational Knowledge competency in the Teaching Quality Standard. Walking Together would like to acknowledge the contributions of Alberta’s First Nations, Métis and Inuit elders and community members in developing these resources.

For additional resources and information on Walking Together visit www.teachers.ab.ca. www.teachers.ab.ca walkingtogetherata @ATAindigenous

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