CHAPTER IV.
THE STONE FORT AND MANITOBA POST TREATIES NUMBERS ONE AND TWO.
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 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 Woods,
and took the initiator 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
26 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
in some instances obstructed settlers and surveyors. In view
of the anxiety and uneasiness prevailing, these 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 nad
not all arrived the meeting was postponed fill 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
The Stone Fort and Manitoba Post Treaties. 27
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,
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
28 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
which I would like, before I close, to bring to your notice, for
you to think about among yourselves.
i "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 1ive 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 saw 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
The Stone Fort and Manitoba Post Treaties. 29
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
30 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
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
The Stone Fort and Manitoba Post Treaties. 31
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.
*
(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-
32 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
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 22nd, 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.,
THE HONORABLE
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE PROVINCES,
Ottawa.
The Stone Fort and Manitoba Post Treaties. 33
Lower Fort Garry, July 29th, 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
34 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
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
The Stone Fort and Manitoba Post Treaties. 35
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.,
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.
36 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
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 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.
Indian Commissioner.
THE HONORABLE
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE PROVINCES,
Ottawa.
The Stone Fort and Manitoba Post Treaties. 37
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
hands 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
38 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
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.
The Stone Fort and Manitoba Post Treaties. 39
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 be 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
40
The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
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 hereinafter made,
I visited Portage la Prairie, the Indian settlement at St. Peter's,
Riviere Marais, and the Town of Winnipeg, according to my promise, and
at each place, with the exception of Riviere Marais, found the Indians
satisfied with the treaty, and awaiting their payment. At Riviere 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
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
offier in charge of the Hudson's Bay Company's Post at Pembina, with
The Stone Fort and Manitoba Post Treaties. 41
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 [?].
During the payment of the several hands, 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.
42 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
The negotiation with these bands therefore occuppied little time, and on
the 21st August, 1871, a treaty was concluded by which a tract of country
three times as large as 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 pressure 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 expensive. 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
expenses of feeding the Indians while at the place of [?] on their
journey home will be avoided by the payment being made on or near their
own reserves.
All the collateral expenses, therefore, of the 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 posession of
accurate information Inimhiim' 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 they 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
"mining 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
The Stone Fort and Manitoba Post Treaties. 43
they can be regarded as a settled population - settled in the sense of following agricultural
practices - 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 Chippawa and Sioux were largely employed in the grain
field: and in other parishes l found many farmers whose employees 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 foget 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 cab 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 prepare nany comforts for
his famly 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.,
This individual participated in: