168 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
CHAPTER IX.
THE TREATIES AT FORTS CARLTON AND PITT.
THE treaties made at Forts Carlton and Pitt in the year
1876, were of a very important character.
The great region covered by them, abutting on the areas included in Treaties Numbers
Three and Four, embracing an
area of apprpximately 120,000 square miles, contains a vast
extent of fertile territory and is the home of the Cree nation.
The Crees had, very early after the annexation of the North-
West Territories to Canada, desired a treaty of alliance with
the Government. So far back as the year 1871, Mr. Simpson,
the Indian Commissioner, addressing the Secretary of State in
a despatch of date, the 3rd November, 1871, used the following
language :
" I desire also to call the attention of His Excellency to the
state of affairs in the Indian country on the Saskatchewan.
The intelligence that Her Majesty is treating with the Chippewa Indians has already
reached the ears of the Cree and
Blackfeet tribes. In the neighborhood of Fort Edmonton, on
the Saskatchewan, there is a rapidly increasing population of
miners and other white people, and it is the opinion of Mr. W.
J. Christie, the officer in charge of the Saskatchewan District,
that a treaty with the Indians of that country, or at least an
assurance during the coming year that a treaty will shortly be
made, is essential to the peace, if not the actual retention, of
the country. I would refer His Excellency, on this subject, to
the report of Lieut. Butler, and to the enclosed memoranda of Mr. W. J. Christie,
the officer above alluded to."
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 169
He also enclosed an extract of a letter from Mr. Christie,
then Chief Factor of the Hudson's Bay Company, and subsequently one of the Treaty
Commissioners, in which, he forwarded the messages of the Cree Chiefs to Lieut.-Gov.
Archibald,
" our Great Mother's representative at Fort Garry, Red River
Settlement." This extract and messages are as follows :
EDMONTON HOUSE, 13th April, 1871.
On the 13th instant (April) I had a visit from the Cree Chiefs, representing
the Plain Crees from this to Carlton, accompanied by a few followers.
The object of their visit was to ascertain whether their lands had been
sold or not, and what was the intention of the Canadian Government in
relation to them. They referred to the epidemic that had raged throughout
the past summer, and the subsequent starvation, the poverty of their
country, the visible diminution of the buffalo, their sole support, ending by
requesting certain presents at once, and that I should lay their case before
Her Majesty's representative at Fort Garry. Many stories have reached
these Indians through various channels, ever since the transfer of the North-
West Territories to the Dominion of Canada, and they were most anxious
to hear from myself what had taken place.
I told them that the Canadian Government had as yet made no application
for their lands or hunting grounds, and when anything was required of them,
most likely Commissioners would be sent beforehand to treat with them, and
that until then they should remain quiet and live at peace with all men. 1'
further stated that Canada, in her treaties with Indians, heretofore, had
dealt most liberally with them, and that they were now in settled houses
and well off, and that I had no doubt in settling with them the same liberal
policy would be followed.
As I was aware that they had heard many exaggerated stories about the
troops in Red River, I took the opportunity of telling them why troops had
been sent; and if Her Majesty sent troops to the Saskatchewan, it was as
much for the protection of the red as the white man, and that they would be
for the maintenance of law and order.
They were highly satisfied with the explanations offered, and said they
would welcome civilization. As their demands were complied with, and
presents given to them, their immediate followers, and for the young men
left in camp, they departed well pleased for the present time, with fair
promises for the future. At a subsequent interview with the Chiefs alone,
they requested that I should write down their words, or messages to their
Great Master in Red River. I accordingly did so, and have transmitted
the messages as delivered. Copies of the proclamation issued, prohibiting
the traffic in spirituous liquors to Indians or others, and the use of strychnine
in the destruction of animal life, have been received, and due publicity
170 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
given to them. But without any power to enforce these laws, it is almost
useless to publish them here ; and I take this opportunity of most earnestly
soliciting, on behalf of the Company's servants, and settlers in this district,
that protection be afforded to life and property here as soon as possible, and
that Commissioners be sent to speak with the Indians on behalf of the
Canadian Government.
MEMORANDA :
Had I not complied with the demands of the Indians—giving them some
little presents-and otherwise satisfied them, I have no doubt that they
would have proceeded to acts of violence, and once that had commenced,
there would have been the beginning of an Indian war, which it is difficult
to say when it would have ended.
The buffalo will soon be exterminated, and when starvation comes, these
Plain Indian tribes will fall back on the Hudson's Bay Forts and settlements
for relief and assistance. If not complied with, or no steps taken to make
some provision for them, they will most assuredly help themselves; and
there being no force or any law up there to protect the settlers, they must
either quietly submit to be pillaged, or lose their lives in the defence of
their families and property, against such fearful odds that will leave no hope
for their side.
Gold may be discovered in paying quantities, any day, on the eastern
slope of the Rocky Mountains. We have, in Montana, and in the mining
settlements close to our boundary line, a large mixed frontier population,
who are now only waiting and watching to hear of gold discoveries to rush
into the Saskatchewan, and, without any form of Government or established
laws up there, or force to protect whites or Indians, it is very plain what
will be the result.
I think that the establishment of law and order in the Saskatchewan District, as early
as possible, is of most vital importance to the future of the
country and the interest of Canada, and also the making of some treaty or
settlement with the Indians who inhabit the Saskatchewan District.
W. J. CHRISTIE,
Chief Factor,
In charge of Saskatchewan District,
Hudson's Bay Company.
Messages from the Cree Chiefs of the Plains, Saskatchewan, to His Excellency
Governor Archibald, our Great Mother's representative at Fort Garry,
Red River Settlement.
GREAT FATHER,—I shake hands with you, and bid you welcome. 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 a right to sell them.
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 171
Our country is getting ruined of fur-bearing animals, hitherto our sole
support, and now we are poor and want help—we want you to pity us. We
want cattle, tools, agricultural implements, and assistance in everything
when we come to settle—our country is no longer able to support us.
Make provision for us against years of starvation. We have had great
starvation the past winter, and the small-pox took away many of our
people, the old, young, and children.
We want you to stop the Americans from coming to trade on our lands,
and giving firewater, ammunition and arms to our enemies the Blackfeet.
We made a peace this winter with the Blackfeet. Our young men are
foolish, it may not last long.
We invite you to come and see us and to speak with us. If you can't
come yourself, send some one in your place.
We send these words by our Master, Mr. Christie, in whom we have
every confidence—That is all.
GREAT FATHER—Let us be friendly. We never shed any white man's
blood, and have always been friendly with the whites, and want workmen,
carpenters and farmers to assist us when we settle. I want all my brother,
Sweet Grass, asks. That is all.
You, my brother, the Great Chief in Red River, treat me as a brother,
that is, as a Great Chief.
My brother, that is coming close, I look upon you, as if I saw you ; I
want you to pity me, and I want help to cultivate the ground for myself
and descendants. Come and see us.
The North-West Council, as already elsewhere stated, had
urged the making of treaties with these Indians, and the necessity of doing so, was
also impressed upon the Privy Council, by
the Lieutenant-Governor of the North-West Territories, and
Col. French, then in command of the Mounted Police therein.
The Minister of the Interior, the 'Hon. David Mills, in his
Report for the year 1876, thus alluded to this subject :
" Official reports received last year from His Honor Governor Morris and Colonel French,
the officer then in command
of the Mounted Police Force, and from other parties, showed
that a feeling of discontent and uneasiness prevailed very generally amongst the Assiniboines
and Crees lying in the unceded
172 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
territory between the Saskatchewan and the Rocky Mountains. This state of feeling,
which had prevailed amongst
these Indians for some years past, had been increased by the
presence, last summer, in their territory of the parties engaged
in the construction of the telegraph line, and in the survey of
the Pacific Railway line, and also of a party belonging to the
Geological Survey. To allay this state of feeling, and to prevent the threatened hostility
of the Indian tribes to the parties
then employed by the Government, His Honor Governor
Morris requested and obtained authority to despatch a messenger to convey to these
Indians the assurance that Commissioners would be sent this summer, to negotiate a
treaty with
them, as had already been done with their brethren further east.
"The Rev. George McDougall, who had been resident as a
missionary amongst these Indians for upwards of fourteen
years, and who possessed great influence over them, was
selected by His Honor to convey this intelligence to the
Indians, a task which he performed with great fidelity and
success: being able to report on his return that although he
found the feeling of discontent had been very general among
the Indian tribes, he had been enabled entirely to remove it
by his assurance of the proposed negotiations during the coming year.
" For the purpose of negotiating this treaty with the Indians,
Your Excellency availed yourself of the services of His Honor
Governor Morris, who had been formerly employed in negotiating Treaties Numbers Three,
Four and Five. With him were
associated the Hon. James McKay and W. J. Christie, Esq.,
both of whom had had considerable experience in such work,
and possessed moreover an intimate acquaintance with the
Indians of the Saskatchewan, their wants, habits and dialects."
With reference to the Rev. George McDougall,
* I may here
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 173
state, that when the application was made to him, to visit the
Indians of the Plains, in the Saskatchewan Valley, he was on
his way, with his family, to his distant mission, among the
Assiniboines, near the Rocky Mountains, after a brief sojourn
in the Province of Ontario, but on the request being made to
him, to explain to the Indians the intentions of the Government, he at once undertook
the duty, and leaving his family to
follow him, went upon the long journey, which his mission involved, carrying with
him a letter missive from the Lieutenant-
Governor of the North-West Territories, promising the Indians,
that Commissioners would visit them during the ensuing summer, to confer with them
as to a treaty. The result of his tour,
and Of the tidings which he bore was very gratifying, as the
Indians were at once tranquilized, and awaited in full confidence, the coming of the
Commissioners. The way in which
be discharged his important duties and the success which followed his exertions, will
be best set forth by giving place to his
Report, addressed to the Lieutenant-Governor, of the results of
his arduous mission:
MORLEYVILLE, BOW RIVER, ROCKY MOUNTAINS,
October 23rd, 1875.
To HIS HONOR LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR MORRIS.
Sir, —In accordance with my instructions, I proceeded with as little
delay as possible to Carlton, in the neighborhood of which place I met with
forty tents of Crees : From these I ascertained that the work I had undertaken would
be much more arduous than I had expected, and that the principal camps would be found
on the south branch of the Saskatchewan and
Red Deer Rivers. I was also informed by these Indians that the Crees and
Plain Assiniboines were united on two points: 1st. That they would not
receive any presents from Government until a definite time for treaty was
stated. 2nd. Though they deplored the necessity of resorting to extreme
measures, yet they were unanimous in their determination to Oppose the
running of lines, or the making of roads through their country, until a settlement
between the Government and them had been effected. I was further
informed that the danger of a collision with the whites was likely to arise
from the officious conduct of minor Chiefs who were anxious to make themselves conspicuous,
the principal men Of the large camps being much more
174 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
moderate in their demands. Believing this to be the fact, I resolved to visit
every camp and read them your message, and in order that your Honor may
form a correct judgment of their disposition towards the Government, I will
give you a synopsis of their speeches after the message was read. Mistahwahsis, head
Chief of the Carlton Indians, addressing the principal Chief
of the Assiniboines and addressing me, said : "That is just it, that is all
we wanted." The Assiniboines addressing me, said: "My heart is full of
gratitude, foolish men have told us that the Great Chief would send his
young men to our country until they outnumbered us, and that then he
would laugh at us, but this letter assures us that the Great Chief will act
justly towards us."
Beardy, or the Hairy Man, Chief of the Willow Indians, said : " If I had
heard these words spoken by the Great Queen I could not have believed
them with more implicit faith than I do now." The Sweet Grass was absent
from camp when I reached the Plain Crees, but his son and the principal
men of the tribe requested me to convey to the Great Chief, at Red River,
their thanks for the presents received, and they expressed the greatest
loyalty to the government. In a word, I found the Crees reasonable in their
demands, and anxious to live in peace with the white men. I found the Big
Bear, a Saulteaux, trying to take the lead in their council. He formerly lived
at Jack Fish Lake, and for years has been regarded as atroublesome fellow.
In his speech he said : "We want none of the Queen's presents ; when we
set a fox-trap we scatter pieces of meat all round, but when the fox gets into
the trap we knock him on the head ; we want no bait, let your Chiefs come
like men and talk to us." These Saulteaux are the mischief-makers through
all this western country, and some of them are shrewd men.
A few weeks since, a land speculator wished to take a claim at the crossing on Battle
River and asked the consent of the Indians, one of my Saulteaux friends sprang to
his feet, and pointing to the east, said: "Do you
see that great white man (the Government) coming?" " No," said the
speculator. " I do," said the Indian, "and I hear the tramp of the multitude behind
him, and when he comes you can drop in behind him and take
up all the land claims you want; but until then I caution you to put up no
stakes in our country." It was very fortunate for me that Big Bear and his
party were a very small minority in camp. The Crees said they Would have
driven them out of camp long ago, but were afraid of their medicines, as
they are noted conjurers.
The topics generally discussed at their council and which will be brought
before the Commissioner are as follows in their own language. "Tell the
Great Chief that we are glad the traders are prohibited bringing spirits into
our cofmtry ; when we see it we want to drink it, and it destroys us ; when
we do not see it we do not think about it. Ask for us a strong law, prohibiting the
free use of poison (strychnine). It has almost exterminated the
animals of our country, and often makes us had friends with our white
neighbors. We further request, that a law be made, equally applicable to
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 175
the Half-breed and Indian, punishing all parties who set fire to our forest or
plain. Not many years ago we attributed a prairie fire to the malevolence
of an enemy, now every one is reckless in the use of fire, and every year
large numbers of valuable animals and birds perish in consequence. We
would further ask that our chiefships be established by the Government.
Of late years almost every trader sets up his own Chief and the result is we
are broken up into little parties, and our best men are no longer respected."
I will state in connection with this, some of the false reports I had
to combat in passing through this country, all calculated to agitate th
native mind. In the neighborhood of Carlton an interested party went to
considerable trouble to inform the Willow Indians that I had $3000 for
each band, as a present from the Government, and nothing in my long journey gave me
greater satisfaction than the manner in which these Indians
received my explanation of the contents of my letter of instructions. At
the Buffalo Lake I found both Indians and Half-breeds greatly agitated. A
gentlemen passing through their country had told them that the Mounted
Police had received orders to prevent all parties killing buffalo or other
animals, except during three months in the year, and these are only samples
of the false statements made by parties who would rejoice to witness a conflict of
races.
That your Honor's message was most timely, these are ample proofs.
A report will have reached you before this time that parties have been
turned back by the Indians, and that a train containing supplies for the
telegraph contractors, when west of Fort Pitt, were met by three Indians
and ordered to return. Now after carefully investigating the matter and
listening to 'the statements of all parties concerned, my opinion is, that an
old traveller amongst Indians would have regarded the whole affair as too
trivial to be noticed. I have. not met with a Chief who would bear with
the responsibility of the act. ' ' ' '
Personally I am indebted both to the missionaries, and the Hudson's Bay
Company's officials for their assistance at the Indian councils.
Believing it would be satisfactory to your Honor and of service to the
Commissioners, I have kept the number of all the tents visited and the
names of the places where I met the Indians.
*
By reckoning eight persons to each tent, we will have a very close approximate to
the number of Indians to be treated with at Carlton, and Fort
Pitt. There may have been a few tents in the forest, and I have heard there
are a few Crees at Lesser Slave Lake and Lac la Biche, but the number
cannot exceed twenty tents.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
176 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
The Commissioners, in the discharge of their task, had to
travel through the prairie district in going to their destination
and returning to Winnipeg, a distance of over 1,800 miles.
They first met the Indians in the vicinity of Fort Carlton, on
the Saskatchewan, in the month of August, 1876, and eventually succeeded on the 23rd
day of that month, in effecting a
treaty with the Plain and Wood Crees, and on the 28th
of the same month with the tribe of Willow Crees. The
negotiations were difficult and protracted. The Hon. David
Mills, then Minister of the Interior, in his Annual Report
thus characterizes them :—" In view of the temper of the
Indians of the Saskatchewan, during the past year, and of the
extravagant demands which they were induced to prefer on
certain points, it needed all the temper, tact, judgment and
discretion, of which the Commissioners were possessed, to bring
the negotiations to a satisfactory issue." The difficulties were
encountered chiefly at Carlton. The main body of the Crees
were honestly disposed to treat, and their head Chiefs, Mistowasis and Ah-tuk-uh-koop,
shewed sound judgment, and an earnest desire to come to an understanding.
They were embarrassed, however, by the action of the Willow Crees, who, under the
guidance of one of their Chiefs,
Beardy, interposed every obstacle to the progress of the treaty,
and refused to attend the Council, unless it was held at the top
of a hill some miles off, where the Chief pretended it had been
revealed to him in a vision that the treaty was to be made.
The Willow Crees were, moreover, under the influence of a
wandering band of Saulteaux, the chief portion of whom resided
within the limits of the other treaties, and who were disposed to be troublesome.
Before the arrival of the Commissioners, the Saulteaux conceived the idea of forming
a combination of the French Half-breeds, the Crees, and themselves, to
prevent the crossing of the Saskatchewan by the Lieutenant-
Governor, and his entrance into the Indian territories. They
made the proposal first to the French Half-breeds, who declined
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 177
to undertake it, and then to the Crees, who listened to it in
silence. One of them at length arose, and pointing to the
River Saskatchewan, said, "Can you stop the flow of that river?"
The answer was, "No," and the rejoinder was "No more can
you stop the progress of the Queen's Chief." When the Commissioners arrived at the
Saskatchewan, a messenger from the
Crees met them, proffering a safe convoy, but it was not needed.
About a hundred traders' carts were assembled at tiie crossing,
and Kissowayis, a native Indian trader, had the right of passage, which he at once
waived, in favor of Messrs. Christie and
Morris, the Commissioners. The other Commissioner, Mr.
McKay, met them at Duck Lake next day, having proceeded by
another route, and there they encountered Chief Beardy, who at
once asked the Lieutenant-Governor to make the treaty at the
hill, near the lake. On his guard, however, he replied, that he
would meet the Cree nation wherever they desired, but must
first go on and see them at Carlton, as he had appointed. An
escort of Mounted Police also met the Commissioners at Duck
Lake, having been sent from Carlton, in consequence of the
information given by the Crees of the threatened interference
with their progress. After several days' delay the Commissioners
were obliged to meet the Crees without the Willow Crees. But
after the conference had opened, the Beardy sent a message
asking to be informed of the terms the Commissioners intended
to offer in advance. The reply was that the messenger could
sit with the other Indians, and report to his Chief what he
heard, as it was his own fault that the Chief was not there to
take part in the proceedings. The negotiations then went on
quietly and deliberately, the Commissioners giving the Indians
all the time they desired. The Indians were apprehensive of
their future. They saw the food supply, the buffalo, passing
away, and they were anxious and distressed. They knew the
large terms granted to their Indians by the United States,
but they had confidence in their Great Mother, the Queen,
and her benevolence.
178 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
They desired to be fed. Small-pox had destroyed them by
hundreds a few years before, and they dreaded pestilence and
famine.
Eventually the Commissioners made them an offer. They
asked this to be reduced to writing, which was done, and they
asked time to consider it, which was of course granted. When
the conference resumed, they presented a written counterproposal. This the Commissioners
considered, and gave full
and definite answers of acceptance or refusal to each demand,
which replies were carefully interpreted, two of the Commissioners, Messrs. Christie
and McKay, being familiar with the
Cree tongue, watching how the answers were rendered, and
correcting when necessary. The food question, was disposed
of by a promise, that in the event of a National famine or pestilence such aid as the Crown saw fit would be extended to them,
and that for three years after they settled on their reserves,
provisions to the extent of $1,000 per annum would be granted
them during seed-time.
The other terms were analogous to those of the previous
treaties. The Crees accepted the revised proposals. The treaty
was interpreted to them carefully, and was then signed, and
the payment made in accordance therewith. After the conclusion of the treaty, the
Comissioners were unwilling that
the Willow Crees should remain out of the treaty, and sent a
letter to them by a messenger, Pierre Levailler, that they would
meet them half way, at the camp of the Hon. James McKay,
and give them the opportunity of accepting the terms of the
treaty already concluded. The letter was translated to the
Indians by the Rev. Pere André, a Catholic missionary, who,
as well as M. Levailler, urged the Indians to accede to the
proposal made to them, which they agreed to do. The Commissioners met the Indians
accordingly, at the place proposed,
and received, after a full discussion, the adhesion of the three
Chiefs and head men of the Willow Crees to the treaty, and
the payments were then made to them.
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 179
The Commissioners then prepared to leave for Fort Pitt, but
having been apprised by the Rev. Mr. Scollan, a Catholic
missionary, who had been sent by Bishop Grandin, to be present at the making of the
treaty, that Sweet Grass, the principal Chief of the Plain Crees, at Fort Pitt, was
unaware of the
place and time of meeting, they despatched a messenger to
apprise him of them, and request him to be present.
The Commissioners crossed the Saskatchewan and journeyed
to Fort Pitt. Near it they were met by an escort of Mounted
Police, who convoyed them to the fort.
There they found a number of Indians assembled, and, during the day, Sweet Grass arrived.
In the evening the Chief
and head men waited upon the Commissioners. Delay was
asked and granted before meeting. Eventually the conference
was opened. The ceremonies which attended it were imposing.
The national stem or pipe dance was performed, of which a
full narrative will be found hereafter. The conference proceeded, and the Indians
accepted the terms made at Carlton
with the utmost good feeling, and thus the Indian title was extinguished in the whole
of the Plain country, except a comparatively small area, inhabited by the Black Feet,
comprising
about 35,000 square miles. I regret to record, that the Chief
Sweet Grass who took the lead in the proceedings, met with
an accidental death a few months afterwards, by the discharge
of a pistol. The Indians, in these two treaties, displayed a
strong desire for instruction in farming, and appealed for the
aid of missionaries and teachers.
The latter the Commissioners promised, and for the former
they were told they must rely on the churches, representatives
of whom were present from the Church of England, the Methodist, the Presbyterian and
the Roman Catholic Church. The
Bishop (Grandin) of the latter Church travelled from Edmonton to Fort Pitt and Battleford
to see the Commissioners and
assure them of his good will. After the conclusion of the
treaty, the Commissioners commenced their long return
180 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
journey by way of Battleford, and arrived at Winnipeg on the
6th day of October, with the satisfaction of knowing that they
had accomplished a work which, with the efficient carrying out
of the treaties, had secured the good will of the Cree Nation,
and laid the foundations of law and order in the Saskatchewan
Valley.
The officers of the Hudson's Bay Company, the missionaries
of the various churches, Colonel McLeod of the Mounted
Police Force, his officers and men, and the Half-breed population, all lent willing
assistance to the commissioners, and were
of substantial service.
I now submit the despatch of the Lieutenant-Governor, giving
an account of the journey and of the negotiations attending
the treaty, and I include a narrative of the proceedings taken
down, day by day, by A. G. Jackes, Esq., M.D., Secretary to
the Commission, which has never before been published, and
embraces an accurate account of the speeches of the Commissioners and Indians. It
is satisfactory to be able to state,
that Lieut.-Gov. Laird, officers of the police force and Mr.
Dickieson have since obtained the adhesion to the treaty, of,
I believe, all but one of the Chiefs included in the treaty
area, viz.: The Big Bear, while the head men even of his band
have ranged themselves under the provisions of the treaty.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
FORT GARRY, MANITOBA, 4th December, 1876.
SIR,—I beg to inform you that in compliance with the request of the
Privy Council that I should proceed to the west to negotiate the treaties
which I had last year, through the agency of the late Rev. George McDougall, promised
the Plain Crees, would be undertaken, I left Fort Garry
on the afternoon of the 27th of July last, with the view of prosecuting my
mission. I was accompanied by one of my associates, the Hon. J. W.
Christie, and by A. G. Jackes, Esq., M.D., who was to act as secretary. I
selected as my guide Mr. Pierre Levailler. The Hon. James McKay, who
had also been associated in the commission, it was arranged, would follow
me and meet me at Fort Carlton.
On the morning of the 4th of August, I forded the Assiniboine about five
miles from Fort Ellice, having accomplished what is usually regarded as
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 181
the first stage of the journey to Fort Carlton, about two hundred and
twenty miles. After crossing the river, I was overtaken by a party of the
Sioux who have settled on the reserve assigned to them at Bird Tail Creek,
and was detained the greater part of the day.
I am sanguine that this settlement will prove a success, as these Sioux
are displaying a laudable industry in cutting hay for their own use and for
sale, and in breaking up ground for cultivation. I resumed my journey in
the afternoon, but a storm coming on, I was obliged to encamp at the
Springs, having only travelled eight miles in all during the day.
On the 5th I left the Springs, and after traversing much fine country,
with excellent prairie, good soil, clumps of wood, lakelets, and hay
swamps, in the Little and Great Touchwood Hills and File Mountain
region, I arrived at the South Saskatchewan, at Dumont's crossing, twenty
miles from Fort Carlton, on the afternoon of the 14th of August.
Here I found over one hundred carts of traders and freighters, waiting to
be ferried across the river. The scow was occupied in crossing the carts
and effects of Kis-so-wais, an enterprising Chippewa trader, belonging to
the Portage la Prairie band, who at once came forward and gave up to me
his right of crossing.
I met, also, a young Cree who had been sent by the Crees to hand me a
letter of welcome in the name of their nation.
The reason of this step being taken was, that a few wandering Saulteaux
or Chippewa, from Quill Lake, in Treaty Number Four, had come to the
Crees and proposed to them to unite with them and prevent me from crossing the river
and entering the Indian country. The Crees promptly refused to entertain the proposal,
and sent a messenger, as above stated, to
welcome me.
I also received from their messenger a letter from Lawrence Clarke, Esq.,
Chief Factor of the Hudson's Bay Company at Carlton, offering the Commissioners the
hospitalities of the fort.
I sent replies in advance, thanking the Crees for their action, and accepting the
kind offer of Mr. Clarke, to the extent of the use of rooms in the
fort.
It was late in the evening before our party crossed the river, so that we
encamped on the heights near it.
On the morning of the 15th we left for Fort Carlton, Mr.. Christie preceding me to
announce my approaching arrival at Duck Lake. About
twelve miles from Carlton I found the Hon. James McKay awaiting me,
having travelled by way of Fort Pelly.
Here also a Chief,
Beardy of the Willow Crees, came to see me.
He said that his people were encamped near the lake, and that as there
were fine meadows for their horses they wished the treaty to be made there.
I was at once on my guard, and replied to him, that after I reached
Carlton, which was the place appointed, I would meet the Indians whereever the great
body of them desired it.
182 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
He then asked me to stop as I passed his encampment, and see his
people. This I agreed to do; as I was leaving Duck Lake I met Captain
Walker with his troop of mounted police, coming to escort me to Carlton
which they did.
When I arrived at Beardy's encampment, the men came to my carriage
and holding up their right hands to the skies, all joined in an invocation to
the deity for a blessing on the bright day which had brought the Queen's
messenger to see them, and on the messenger and themselves ; one of them
shook hands with me for the others.
The scene was a very impressive and striking one, but as will be seen
hereafter, this band gave me great trouble and were very difficult to deal
with.
Leaving the Indian encampment I arrived at Fort Carlton, where Mr.
Christie, Dr. Jackes and myself were assigned most comfortable rooms,
Mr. McKay preferring to encamp about four miles from the fort.
In the evening,
Mist-ow-as-is and
Ah-tuk-uk-koop, the two head Chiefs
of the Carlton Crees, called to pay their respects to me, and welcomed me
most cordially.
On the 16th the Crees sent me word that they wished the day to confer
amongst themselves.
I acceded to their request, learning that they desired to bring the Duck
Lake Indians into the negotiations.
I sent a messenger, Mr. Peter Ballenden, to Duck Lake to inform the
Indians that I would meet them at the encampment of the Carlton Crees,
about two miles from the fort.
On the 17th, on his return, he informed me that the Chief said " He had
not given me leave to meet the Indians anywhere except at Duck Lake,
and that they would only meet me there." The Carlton Indians, however,
sent me word, that they would be ready next morning at ten o'clock.
On the 18th, as I was leaving for the Indian encampment, a messenger
came to me from the Duck Lake Indians, asking for provisions. I replied,
that Mr. Christie was in charge of the distribution of provisions, but that I
would not give any to the Duck Lake Indians, in consequence of the unreasonableness
of their conduct, and that provisions would only be given to
the large encampment.
I then proceeded to the Indian camp, together with my fellow Commissioners, and was
escorted by Captain Walker and his troop.
On my arrival I found that the ground had been most judiciously chosen,
being elevated, with abundance of trees, hay marshes and small lakes. The
spot which the Indians had left for my council tent overlooked the whole.
The view was very beautiful : the hills and the trees in the distance, and
in the foreground, the meadow land being dotted with clumps of wood, with
the Indian tents clustered here and there to the number of two hundred.
On my arrival, the Union Jack was hoisted, and the Indians at once
began to assemble, beating drums, discharging fire-arms, singing and danc
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 183ing. In about half an hour they were ready to advance and meet me. This
they did in a semicircle, having men on horseback galloping in circles,
shouting, singing and discharging fire-arms.
They then performed the dance of the " pipe stem," the stem was elevated
to the north, south, west and east, a ceremonial dance was then performed
by the Chiefs and head men, the Indian men and women shouting the
while.
They then slowly advanced, the horsemen again preceding them on their
approach to my tent. I advanced to meet them, accompanied by Messrs.
Christie and McKay, when the pipe was presented to us and stroked by our
hands.
After the stroking had been completed, the Indians sat down in front of
the council tent, satisfied that in accordance with their custom we had
accepted the friendship of the Cree nation.
I then addressed the Indians in suitable terms, explaining that I had
been sent by the Queen, in compliance with their own wishes and the
written promise I had given them last year, that a messenger would be sent
to them.
I had ascertained that the Indian mind was oppressed with vague fears;
they dreaded the treaty ; they had been made to believe that they would be
compelled to live on the reserves wholly, and abandon their hunting, and
that in time of war, they would be placed in the front and made to fight.
I accordingly shaped my address, so as to give them confidence in the intentions of
the Government, and to quiet their apprehensions. I impressed
strongly on them the necessity of changing their present mode of life, and
commencing to make homes and gardens for themselves, so as to be prepared
for the diminution of the buffalo and other large animals, which is going on
so rapidly.
The Indians listened with great attention to my address, and at its close
asked an adjournment that they might meet in council to consider my
words, which was of course granted.
The Rev. C. Scollen, a Roman Catholic Missionary amongst the Blackfeet, arrived soon
after from Bow River, and informed me that on the way
he had learned that Sweet Grass, the principal Chief of the Plain Crees,
was out hunting and would not be at Fort Pitt, and that he was of opinion
that his absence would be a great obstruction to a treaty.
After consulting with my colleagues, I decided on sending a messenger to
him, requesting his presence, and succeeded in obtaining, for the occasion,
the services of Mr. John McKay, of Prince Albert, who had accompanied
the Rev. George McDougall on his mission last year.
In the evening, Lieut.-Col. Jarvis arrived with a reinforcement of the
Mounted Police, and an excellent band, which has been established at the
private cost of one of the troops.
On the 19th, the Commissioners, escorted by the Mounted Police, headed
by the band, proceeded to the Indian encampment.
184 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
The Indians again assembled, following Mist-ow-as-is and Ah-tuk-uk-koop,
the recognized leading Chiefs.
I asked them to present their Chiefs; they then presented the two head
Chiefs, and the minor ones.
At this juncture, a messenger arrived from the Duck Lake Indians, asking
that I should tell them the terms of the Treaty. I replied that if the
Chiefs and people had joined the others they would have heard what I had
to say, and that I would not tell the terms in advance, but that the
messenger could remain and hear what I had to say. He expressed himself
satisfied and took his seat with the others. I then fully explained to them
the proposals I had to make, that we did not wish to interfere with their
present mode of living, but would assign them reserves and assist them as
was being done elsewhere, in commencing to farm, and that what was done
would hold good for those that were away.
The Indians listened most attentively, and on the close of my remarks
Mist-ow-as-is arose, took me by the hand, and said that "when a thing was
thought of quietly, it was the best way," and asked " this much, that we go
and think of his words."
I acquiesced at once, and expressed my hope that the Chiefs would act
wisely, and thus closed the second day.
The 20th being Sunday, the Rev. Mr. John McKay, of the Church of
England, conducted divine service at the fort, which was largely attended;
the Rev. Mr. Scollen also conducted service.
At noon a messenger came from the Indian camp, asking that there
should be a service held at their camp, which Mr. McKay agreed to do;
this service was attended by about two hundred adult Crees.
On Monday, 21st, the head Chiefs sent word that, as the previous day
was Sunday, they had not met in council, and wished to have the day for
consultation, and if ready would meet me on Tuesday morning. I cheerfully
granted the delay from the reasonableness of the request; but I was also
aware that the head Chiefs were in a position of great difficulty.
The attitude of the Duck Lake Indians and of the few discontented
Saulteaux embarrassed them, while a section of their own people were either
averse to make a treaty or desirous of making extravagant demands. The
head Chiefs were men of intelligence, and anxious that the people should
act unitedly and reasonably.
We, therefore, decided to give them all the time they might ask, a policy
which they fully appreciated.
On the 22nd the Commissioners met the Indians, when I told them that
we had not hurried them, but wished now to hear their Chiefs.
A spokesman,
The Pond Maker, then addressed me, and asked assistance
when they settled on the land, and further help as they advanced in civilization.
I replied that they had their own means of living, and that we could not
feed the Indians, but only assist them to settle down.
The Badger,
Soh-
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 185
ah-moos, and several other Indians all asked help when they settled, and
also in case of troubles unforeseen in the future. I explained that we could
not assume the charge of their every-day life, but in a time of a great
national calamity they could trust to the generosity of the Queen.
The Honourable James McKay also addressed them, saying that their
demands would be understood by a white man as asking for daily food, and
could not be granted, and explained our objects, speaking with effect in the
Cree tongue.
At length the Indians informed me that they did not wish to be fed
every day, but to be helped when they commenced to settle, because of
their ignorance how to commence, and also in case of general famine; Ah-
tuk-uk-koop winding up the debate by stating that they wanted food in the
spring when they commenced to farm, and proportionate help as they advanced in civilization,
and then asking for a further adjournment to consider
our offers.
The Commissioners granted this, but I warned them not to be unreasonable, and to be
ready next day with their decision, while we on our part
would consider what they had said.
The whole day was occupied with this discussion on the food question,
and it was the turning point with regard to the treaty.
The Indians were, as they had been for some time past, full of uneasiness.
They saw the buffalo, the only means of their support, passing away.
They were anxious to learn to support themselves by agriculture, but felt
too ignorant to do so, and they dreaded that during the transition period
they would be swept off by disease or famine—already they have suffered
terribly from the ravages of measles, scarlet fever and small-pox.
It was impossible to listen to them without interest, they were i
exacting, but they were very apprehensive of their future, and thankful, as
one of them put it, " a new life was dawning upon them."
On the 23rd the conference was resumed, an Indian addressed the people
telling them to listen and the interpreter, Peter Erasmus, would read what
changes they desired in the terms of our offer. They asked for an ox and a
cow each family; an increase in the agricultural implements; provisions
for the poor, unfortunate, blind and lame ; to be provided with missionaries
and school teachers ; the exclusion of fire water in the whole Saskatchewan;
a further increase in agricultural implements as the band advanced in
civilization; freedom to cut timber on Crown lands; liberty to change the
site of the reserves before the survey ; free passages over Government
bridges or scows; other animals, a horse, harness and waggon, and cooking
stove for each chief ; a free supply of medicines ; a hand mill to each band ;
and lastly, that in case of war they should not be liable to serve.
Two spokesmen then addressed us in support of these modifications of
the terms of the Treaty.
I replied to them that they had asked many things some of which had
been promised, and that the Commissioners would consult together about
186 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
what they had asked that day and the day before, and would reply, but
before doing so wished to know if that was the voice of the whole people,
to which the Indians all assented.
After an interval we again met them, and I replied, going over their demands and reiterating
my statements as to our inability to grant food, and
again explaining that only in a national famine did the Crown ever intervene, and
agreeing to make some additions to the number of cattle and
implements, as we felt it would be desirable to encourage their desire to
settle.
I closed by stating that, after they settled on the reserves, we would
give them provisions to aid them while cultivating, to the extent of one
thousand dollars per annum, but for three years only, as after that time
they should be able to support themselves.
I told them that we could not give them missionaries, though I was
pleased with their request, but that they must look to the churches, and that
they saw Catholic and Protestant missionaries present at the conference.
We told them that they must help their own poor, and that if they prospered they could
do so. With regard to war, they would not be asked to
fight unless they desired to do so, but if the Queen did call on them to protect their
wives and children, I believed they would not be backward .
I then asked if they were willing to accept our modified proposals.
Ah-tuk-uk-koop then addressed me, and concluded by calling on the
people. if they were in favour of our offers, to say so. This they all did by
shouting assent and holding up their hands.
The Pond Maker then rose and said he did not differ from his people, but
he did not see how they could feed and clothe their children with what was
promised. He expected to have received that; he did not know how to
build a house nor to cultivate the ground.
Joseph Toma, a Saulteaux, said he spoke for the Red Pheasant, Chief of
the Battle River Crees, and made demands as follows: Men to build houses
for them, increased salaries to the Chiefs and head men, etc. He said what
was offered was too little ; he wanted enough to cover the skin of the people,
guns, and also ten miles of land round the reserves in a belt.
I asked the Red Pheasant how it was that he was party to the requests of
his people, and how, when I asked if that was their unanimous voice he had
assented, and yet had now put forward new and large demands.
I said it was not good faith, and that I would not accede to the requests
now made , that what was offered was a gift as they had still their old mode
of living.
The principal Chiefs then rose and said that they accepted our offers, and
the Red Pheasant repudiated the demands and remarks of Toma, and stated
that he had not authorized him to speak for him.
Mist-ow-as-is then asked to speak for the Half-breeds, who wish to live
on the reserves.
I explained the distinction between the Half-breed people and the Indian
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 187
Half-breeds who lived amongst the Indians as Indians, and said the Commissioners would
consider the case of each of these last on its merits.
The treaty was then signed by myself, Messrs.
Christie and
McKay,
Mist-ow-as-is and
Ah-tuk-uk-koop, the head Chiefs, and by the other Chiefs
and Councillors, those signing, though many Indians were absent, yet representing
all the bands of any importance in the Carlton regions, except
the Willow Indians.
On the 24th the Commissioners again met the Indians, when I presented
the Head Chiefs with their medals, uniforms and flags, and informed them
that Mr. Christie would give the other Chiefs and Councillors the same in
the evening.
Some half a dozen of Saulteaux then came forward, of whom I found one
was from Qu'Appelle, and had been paid there, and the others did not belong to the
Carlton region. I told them that I had heard that they had
endeavoured to prevent me crossing the river, and to prevent a treaty being
made, but that they were not wiser than the whole of their nation, who had
already been treated with.
They did not deny the charge, and their spokesman becoming insolent
I declined to hear them further, and they retired, some stating that they
would go to Fort Pitt, which I warned them not to do.
Besides these Saulteaux, there were others present who disapproved of
their proceedings, amongst them being Kis-so-way-is, already mentioned,
and Pecheeto, who was the chief spokesman at Qu'Appelle, but is now a
Councillor of the Fort Ellice Band.
I may mention here that the larger part of the Band to whom these other
Saulteaux belonged, with the Chief Yellow Quill, gave in their adhesion to
Treaty Number Four, at Fort Pelly about the time that their comrades
were troubling me at Fort Carlton.
Mr. Christie then commenced the payments, assisted by Mr. McKay, of
Prince Albert, and was engaged in so doing during the 24th and 25th.
Amongst those paid were the few resident Saulteaux, who were accepted by
the Cree Chiefs as part of their bands.
The next morning, the 26th, the whole band, headed by their Chiefs and
Councillors, dressed in their uniforms, came to Carlton House to pay their
farewell visit to me.
The Chiefs came forward in order, each addressing me a few remarks, and
I replied briefly.
They then gave three cheers for the Queen, the Governor, one for the
Mounted Police, and for Mr. Lawrence Clarke, of Carlton House, and then
departed, firing guns as they went.
Considering it undesirable that so many Indians should be excluded from
the treaty, as would be the case if I left the Duck Lake Indians to their
own devices, I determined on sending a letter to them. I, therefore, prepared a. message,
inviting them to meet me at the Hon. Mr. McKay's encampment about three miles from
the large Indian encampment about
188 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
half way to Duck Lake, on Monday, the 28th, if they were prepared then
to accept the terms of the treaty I had made with the Carlton Indians. My
letter was entrusted to Mr. Levailler, who proceeded to Duck Lake.
On entering the Indian Council room, he found they had a letter written
to me by the Rev. Mr. André, offering to accept the terms of the treaty, if
I came to Duck Lake.
The Indians sent for Mr. André to read my letter to them, which was
received with satisfaction ; both he and Mr. Levailler urged them to accept
my proposal, which they agreed to do, and requested Mr. Levailler to inorm me that they would go to the appointed place.
Accordingly, on the 28th, the Commissioners met the Willow Indians.
After the usual handshaking, and short speeches from two of the Chiefs,
I addressed them, telling them I was sorry for the course they had pursued,
and that I did not go away without giving them this opportunity to be included in
the treaty.
Kah-mee-yes-too-waegs, the Beardy, spoke for the people. He said some
things were too little. He was anxious about the buffalo.
Say-sway-kees wished to tell our mother, the Queen, that they were
alarmed about the buffalo. It appeared as if there was only one left.
The Beardy again addressed me, and said,—" You have told me what
you have done with the others you will do with us. I accept the terms ; no
doubt it will run further, according to our numbers ; when I am utterly
unable to help myself I want to receive assistance."
I replied to them, explaining, with regard to assistance, that we could
not support or feed the Indians, and all that we would do would be to help
them to cultivate the soil.
If a general famine came upon the Indians the charity of the Government
would come into exercise. I admitted the importance of steps being taken
to preserve the buffalo, and assured them that it would be considered by the
Governor-General and Council of the North-West Territories, to see if a
wise law could be framed such as could be carried out and obeyed.
The three Chiefs and their head men then signed the treaty, and the
medals and flags were distributed, when Mr. Christie intimated that he was
ready to make the payments.
They then asked that this should be done at Duck Lake, but Mr. Christie
informed them that, as we had to leave for Fort Pitt, this was impossible ;
and that, moreover, their share of the unexpended provisions and the clothing and
presents were at the fort, where they would require to go for them.
They then agreed to accept the payment, which was at once proceeded
with.
The persistency with which these Indians clung to their endeavor to compel the Commissioners
to proceed to Duck Lake was in part owing to superstition, the Chief, Beardy, having
announced that he had a vision, in which
it was made known to him that the treaty would be made there.
It was partly, also, owing to hostility to the treaty, as they endeavored to
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 189
induce the Carlton Indians to make no treaty, and urged them not to sell
the land, but to lend it for four years.
The good sense and intelligence of the head Chiefs led them to reject'their
proposals, and the Willow Indians eventually, as I have reported, accepted
the treaty.
The 29th was occupied by Mr. Christie in settling accounts, taking stock
of the clothing, and preparing for our departure.
An application was made to me by Toma, the Saulteanx, who took part in
the proceedings on the 23rd, to sign the treaty as Chief of the Saulteaux
band.
As I could not ascertain that there were sufficient families of these Indians
resident in the region to be recognized as a distinct band, and as I had no
evidence that they desired him to be their Chief, I declined to allow him to
sign the treaty, but informed him that next year, if the Saulteaux were
numerous enough, and expressed the wish that he should be Chief, he would
be recognized.
He was satisfied with this, and said that next year they would come to
the payments.
His daughter, a widow, with her family, was paid, but he preferred to
remain until next year, as he did not wish to be paid, except as a Chief.
On the morning of the 3lst, the previous day having been wet, Mr. Christie
and I left for Fort Pitt, Mr. McKay having preceded us by the other road
—that by way of Battle River.
We arrived on the 5th September, the day appointed, having rested, as
was our custom throughout the whole journey, on Sunday, the 3rd.
About six miles from the fort we were met by Col. Jarvis and the police,
with their band, as an escort, and also by Mr. McKay, the Factor of the
Hudson's Bay Company, who informed us that he had rooms ready for our
occupation.
We found over one hundred lodges of Indians already there, and received
a message from them, that as their friends were constantly arriving, they
wished delay until the 7th.
On the morning of the 6th, Sweet Grass, who had come in, in consequence
of my message, accompanied by about thirty of the principal men, called to
see me and express their gratification at my arrival.
Their greeting was cordial, but novel in my experience, as they embraced
me in their arms, and kissed me on both cheeks, a reception which they
extended also to Mr. Christie and Dr. Jackes.
The Hon. James McKay arrived from Battle River in the evening, and
reported that he had met there a number of Indians, principally Saulteaux,
who had been camped there for some time. There had been about seventy
lodges in all, but as the buffalo had come near, the poorer Indians had gone
after them.
They expressed good feeling, and said they would like to have waited until
the 15th, the day named for my arrival there, to see me and accept the treaty,
190 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
but that the buffalo hunt was of so much consequence to them that they
could not wait so long.
This band is a mixed one, composed of Crees and Saulteaux from Jack
Fish Lake, their Chief being the Yellow Sky.
On the 7th the Commissioners proceeded to the council tent, which was
pitched on the high plateau above the fort, commanding a very fine view,
and facing the Indian encampment.
They were accompanied by the escort of the police, with their band.
The Indians approached with much pomp and ceremony, following the
lead of Sweet Grass.
The stem dance was performed as at Fort Carlton, but with much more
ceremony, there being four pipes instead of one, and the number of riders,
singers and dancers being more numerous. After the pipes were stroked by
the Commissioners, they were presented to each of them to be smoked, and
then laid upon the table to be covered with calico and cloth, and returned
to their bearers.
After the conclusion of these proceedings I addressed them, telling them
we had come at their own request, and that there was now a trail leading
from Lake Superior to Red River, that I saw it stretching on thence to Fort
Ellice, and there branching off, the one track going to Qu'Appelle and Cyprus
Hills, and the other by Fort Pelly to Carlton, and thence I expected to see
it extended, by way of Fort Pitt to the Rocky Mountains ; on that road I
saw all the Chippewas and Crees walking, and I saw along it gardens
being planted and houses built.
I invited them to join their brother Indians and walk with the white men
on this road. I told them what we had done at Carlton, and offered them
the same terms, which I would explain fully if they wished it.
On closing Sweet Grass rose, and taking me by the hand, asked me to
explain the terms of the treaty, after which they would all shake hands with
me and then go to meet in council.
I complied with this request. and stated the terms fully to them, both
addresses having occupied me for three hours. On concluding they expressed
satisfaction, and retired to their council.
On the 8th the Indians asked for more time to deliberate, which was
granted, as we learned that some of them desired to make exorbitant demands,
and we wished to let them understand through the avenues by which we had
access to them that these would be fruitless.
On the 9th, the Commissioners proceeded to the council tent, but the
Indians were slow of gathering, being still in council, endeavoring to agree
amongst themselves.
At length they approached and seated themselves in front of the tent. I
then asked them to speak to me.
The Eagle addressed the Indians, telling
them not to be afraid, and that I was to them as a brother, and what the
Queen wished to establish was for their good.
After some time had passed,
I again called on them to tell me their minds
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 191
and not to be afraid.
Sweet Grass then rose and addressed me in a very
sensible manner. He thanked the Queen for sending me; he was glad to
have a brother and a friend who would help to lift them up above their present condition.
He thanked me for the offer and saw nothing to be afraid
of. He therefore accepted gladly, and took my hand to his heart. He said
God was looking down on us that day, and had opened a new world to them.
Sweet Grass further said, he pitied those who had to live by the buffalo, but
that if spared until this time next year, he wanted, this my brother (i.e. the
Governor), to commence to act for him in protecting the buffalo; for himself he would
commence at once to prepare a small piece of land, and his
kinsmen would do the same.
Placing one hand over my heart, and the other over his own, he said:
" May the white man's blood never be spilt on this earth. I am thankful
that the white man and red man can stand together. When I hold your
hand and touch your heart, let us be as one ; use your utmost to help me
and help my children so that they may prosper."
The Chief's speech, of which the foregoing gives a brief outline in his own
words, was assented to by the people with a peculiar guttural sound which
takes with them the place of the British cheer.
I replied, expressing my satisfaction that they had so unanimously approved
of the arrangement I had made with the nation at Carlton, and promised
that I would send them next year, as I had said to the Crees of Carlton,
copies of the treaty printed on parchment.
I said that I knew that some of the Chiefs were absent, but next year
they would receive the present of money as they had done.
The Commissioners then signed the treaty, as did
Sweet Grass, eight other
Chiefs and those of their Councillors who were present, the Chiefs addressing me before
signing. James Senum, Chief of the Crees at White Fish
Lake, said that he commenced to cultivate the soil some years ago.
Mr. Christie, then chief factor of the Hudson's Bay Company, gave him
a plough, but it was now broken. He had no cattle when he commenced,
but he and his people drew the plough themselves, and made hoes of roots of
trees. Mr. Christie also gave him a pit-saw and a grind-stone, and he
was still using them. His heart was sore in spring when his children
wanted to plough and had no implements. He asked for these as soon as
possible, and referring to the Wesleyan mission at that place, he said by
following what I have been taught it helps me a great deal. .
The Little Hunter, a leading Chief of the Plain Crees, said he was glad
from his very heart; he felt in taking the Governor s hand as if it was the
Queen's. When I hear her words that she is going to put this country to
rights, it is the help of God that put it into her heart. He wished an everlasting
grasp of her hand; he was thankful for the children who would
prosper. All the children who were settling there, hoped that the Great
Spirit would look down upon us as one. Other Chiefs expressed themselves
similarly.
192 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
Ken-oo-say-oo, or The Fish, was a Chippewayan or mountaineer, a small
band of whom are in this region.
They had no Chief, but at my request they had selected a Chief and presented the Fish
to me.
He said, speaking in Cree, that he thanked the
Queen, and shook hands with me; he was glad for what had been done, and
if he could have used his own tongue he would have said more.
I then presented Sweet Grass his medal, uniform, and flag, the band
playing "God Save the Queen " and all the Indians rising to their feet.
The rest of the medals, flags, and uniforms, were distributed, as soon as
possible, and Mr. Christie commenced to make the payments.
On Sunday, the 10th, the Rev. Mr. McKay conducted the service for the
police and others, who might attend, and in the afternoon the Rev. Mr.
McDougall had a service in Cree ; Bishop Grandin and the Rev. Mr. Scollen also had
services for the Crees and Chippewayans.
On Monday, the 11th, Mr. Christie completed the payments and distribution of provisions.
The police commenced crossing the Saskatchewan,
with a view to leaving on Tuesday, the 12th, for Battle River. We therefore
sent our horses and carts across the river, and had our tents pitched with the
view of commencing our return journey, early in the morning. Just as we were
about to leave Port Pitt, however, the Great Bear, one of the three Cree
Chiefs who were absent, arrived at the fort and asked to see me. The Commissioners
met him, when he told me that he had been out on the plains
hunting the buffalo, and had not heard the time of the meeting; that on
hearing of it he had been sent in by the Crees and by the Stonies or Assiniboines
to speak for them. I explained to him what had been done at Carlton and Pitt; he expressed
regret that I was going away as he wished to
talk to me. I then said we would not remove until the next day, which
gratified him much.
On the 13th, Sweet Grass and all the other Chiefs and Councillors came
down to the fort with the Great Bear to bid me farewell.
Sweet Grass told me the object of their visit. The Bear said the Indians
on the plains had sent him to speak for them, and those who were away
were as a barrier before what he would have to say.
Sweet Grass said, addressing him, " You see the representative of the Queen
here. I think the Great Spirit put it into their hearts to come to our help.
Let there be no barrier, as it is with great difficulty that this was brought
about. Say yes and take his hand." The White Fish spoke similarly.
The Bear said, "Stop, my friends. I never saw the Governor before;
when I heard he was to come, I said I will request him to save me from
what I most dread—hanging ; it was not given to us to have the rope about
our necks." I replied, that God had given it to us to punish murder by
death, and explained the protection the police force afforded the Indians.
Big Bear still demanded that there should be no hanging, and I informed
him that his request would not be granted. He then wished that the
buffalo might be protected, and asked why the other Chiefs did not speak.
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 193
The Fish, the Chipewayan replied, " We do not because Sweet Grass has
spoken, and what he says we all say."
I then asked the Bear to tell the other two absent Chiefs, Short Tail and
Sagamat, what had been done; that I had written him and them a letter,
and sent it by Sweet Grass, and that next year they cauld join the treaty ;
with regard to the buffalo, the North-West Council were considering the
question, and I again explained that we would not interfere with the Indian's daily
life except to assist them in farming.
I then said I never expected to see them again. The land was so large
that another Governor was to be sent, whom I hoped they would receive as
they had done me, and give him the same confidence they had extended to
me. The Chiefs and Councillors, commencing with Sweet Grass, then
shook hands with Mr. Christie and myself, each addressing me words of
parting.
The Bear remained sitting until all had shaken hands, he then took mine
and holding it, said, " If he had known he would have met me with all his
people. I am not an undutiful child, I do not throw back your hand, but
as my people are not here I do not sign. I will tell them what I have
heard, and next year I will come." The Indians then left, but shortly afterwards the
Bear came to see me again, fearing I had not fully understood
him, and assured me that he accepted the treaty as if he had signed it, and
would come next year with all his people and accept it.
We crossed the river, and left for Battle River in the afternoon, where we
arrived on the afternoon of the 15th. We found no Indians there except
Red Pheasant and his band, whom we had already met at Carlton.
On the 16th, the Red Pheasant saw the Commissioners. He said he was
a Battle River Indian ; his fathers had lived there before him, but he was
glad to see the Government coming there, as it would improve his means of
living. He wished the claims of the Half-breeds who had settled there
before the Government came to be respected, as for himself he would go
away and seek another home, and though it was hard to leave the home of
his people, yet he would make way for the white man, and surely, he said,
" if the poor Indian acts thus, the Queen, when she hears of this, will help
him." He asked, that a little land should be given him to plant potatoes
in next spring, and they would remove after digging them, to their reserve,
which he thought he would wish to have at the Eagle Hills.
I expressed my satisfaction with their conduct and excellent spirit, and
obtained the cheerful consent of Mr. Fuller, of the Pacific telegraph line,
who is in occupation of a large cultivated field, that the band should use
three acres within the fenced enclosure, and which, moreover, Mr. Fuller
kindly promised to plough for them gratuitously.
The 17th being Sunday we remained at our camp, and on Monday morning, the 18th, we
commenced our long return journey, with the incidents
of which I will not trouble you further than to state that, on arriving on
the 4th of October at an encampment about thirty miles from Portage la
194 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
Prairie, we found it necessary to leave our tents and carts to follow us
leisurely (many of the horses having become completely exhausted with the
long journey of sixteen hundred miles) and push on to the Portage; on the
5th we reached the Portage, where Mr. Christie and Dr. Jackes remained,
their horses being unable to go farther, and I went on to Poplar Point,
forty-five miles from Fort Garry, where I found accommodation for the
night from Mr. Chisholm, of the Hudson's Bay Company's Post there.
I arrived at Fort Garry on the afternoon of the 6th of October, having
been absent for over two months and a half. Mr. McKay, having taken
another road, had arrived before me ; Mr. Christie and Dr. Jackes reached
here subsequently. Having thus closed the narrative of our proceedings,
I proceed to deal with the results of our mission, and to submit for your
consideration some reflections and to make some practical suggestions.
1st. The Indians inhabiting the ceded territory are chiefly Crees, but
there are a few Assiniboines on the plains and also at the slope of the
mountains. There are also a small number of Saulteaux and one band of
Chippewayans.
2nd. I was agreeably surprised to find so great a willingness on the part
of the Crees to commence to cultivate the soil, and so great a desire to have
their children instructed. I requested Mr. Christie to confer with the Chief
while the payments were going on, as to the localities where they would
desire to have reserves assigned to them, and with few exceptions they
indicated the places, in fact most of them have already commenced to settle.
It is, therefore, important that the cattle and agricultural implements
should be given them without delay.
I would, therefore, recommend that provision should be made for forwarding these as
soon as the spring opens. I think it probable that cattle and
some implements could be purchased at Prince Albert and thus avoid transportation.
3rd. I would further represent that, though I did not grant the request,
I thought the desire of the Indians, to be instructed in farming and building,
most reasonable, and I would therefore recommend that measures be
adopted to provide such instruction for them. Their present mode of living
is passing away; the Indians are tractable, docile and willing to learn. I
think that advantage should be taken of this disposition to teach them to
become self-supporting, which can best be accomplished with the aid of a few
practical farmers and carpenters to instruct them in farming and house
building.
The universal demand for teachers, and by some of the Indians for missionaries, is
also encouraging. The former, the Government can supply; for
the latter they must rely on the churches, and I trust that these will continue
and extend their operations amongst them. The field is wide enough for
all, and the cry of the Indian for help is a clamant one.
4th. In connection with the aiding of the Indians to settle, I have to call
attention to the necessity of regulations being made for the preservation of
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 195
the buffalo. These animals are fast decreasing in numbers, but I am satisfied that
a few simple regulations would preserve the herds for many years.
The subject was constantly pressed on my attention by the Indians, and I
promised that the matter would be considered by the North-West Council.
The council that has governed the territories for the last four years was
engaged in maturing a law for this purpose, and had our regime continued
we would have passed a statute for their preservation. I commend the
matter to the attention of our successors as one of urgent importance.
5th. There is another class of the population in the North-West whose
position I desire to bring under the notice of the Privy Council. I refer to
the wandering Half-breeds of the plains, who are chiefly of French descent
and live the life of the Indians. There are a few who are identified with
the Indians, but there is a large class of Metis who live by the hunt of the
buffalo, and have no settled homes. I think that a census of the numbers
of these should be procured, and while I would not be disposed to recommend their
being brought under the treaties, I would suggest that land
should be assigned to them, and that on their settling down, if after an
examination into their circumstances, it should be found necessary and
expedient, some assistance should be given them to enable them to enter
upon agricultural operations.
If the measures suggested by me are adopted, viz., effective regulations
with regard to the buffalo, the Indians taught to cultivate the soil, and the
erratic Half-breeds encouraged to settle down, I believe that the solution of
all social questions of any present importance in the North-West Territories
will have been arrived at.
In conclusion, I have to call your attention to the report made to me by
the Hon. Mr. Christie, which I forward herewith; that gentleman took the
entire charge of the payments and administration of matters connected with
the treaty, and I have to speak in the highest terms of the value of his
services.
Accompanying his report will be found the pay sheets, statements of
distribution of provisions and clothing, memoranda as to the localities of the
reserves, suggestions as to the times and places of payment next year, and
a general balance sheet.
A credit of $60,000 was given to me, and I have placed as a refund to the
credit of the Receiver-General, $12,730.55. This arises from the fact that
owing to the proximity of the buffalo, many of the Indians did not come into
the treaty.
I have to acknowledge the benefit I derived from the services of the Hon.
James McKay, camping as he did near the Indian encampment. He had
the opportunity of meeting them constantly, and learning their views which
his familarity with the Indian dialects enabled him to do. Dr. Jackes
took a warm interest in the progress of our work, and kept a record of the
negotiations, a copy of which I enclose and which I think ought to be published, as
it will be of great value to those who will be called on to administer
196 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
the treaty, showing as it does what was said by the negotiators and by the
Indians, and preventing misrepresentations in the future. The Commissioners are under
obligations to Lieut.-Colonel McLeod, and the other
officers and men of the police force for their escort.
The conduct of the men was excellent, and the presence of the force as an
emblem and evidence of the establishment of authority in the North-West
was of great value.
I have to record my appreciation of the kindness of Messrs. Clarke, of
Fort Carlton, and McKay of Fort Pitt, and of the other officials of the
Hudson's Bay Company, and of the hearty assistance they extended towards
the accomplishment of our mission. I have also to mention the interest
taken in the negotiations by His Lordship Bishop Grandin, and by the
various missionaries, Protestant and Catholic.
On this occasion, as on others, I found the Half-breed population whether
French or English generally using the influence of their relationship to the
Indians in support of our efforts to come to a satisfactory arrangement with
them.
We also had the advantage of good interpreters, having secured the services
of Messrs. Peter Ballendine and John McKay, while the Indians had engaged
Mr. Peter Erasmus to discharge the same duty. The latter acted as chief
interpreter, being assisted by the others, and is a most efficient interpreter.
I transmit herewith a copy of the treaty, and have only in conclusion to
express my hope that this further step in the progress of the work of the
Dominion amongst the Indian tribes will prove beneficial to them, and of
advantage to the realm.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
ALEXANDER MORRIS,
Lieut.-Governor.
Narrative of the proceedings connected with the effecting of the
treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt, in the year 1876, together with a report of the
speeches of the Indians and
Commissioners, by A. G. Jackes, Esq., M.D., Secretary
to the Commission.
The expedition for the proposed Treaty Number Six, reached
the South Saskatchewan on the afternoon of August 14th,
where they were met by a messenger from the Cree Indians
expressing welcome, also a messenger from Mr. L. Clarke, of
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 197
Carlton House, offering to the Governor and party the hospitality of the Fort.
The next morning, when about ten miles from Carlton, the
Commissioners were met by a detachment of Mounted Police
under Major Walker, who escorted them to the Fort ; on the
way the Commissioners passed an encampment of Crees whose
Chief had previously seen the Governor at Duck Lake and
asked him to make the treaty there ; he replied that he could
not promise, that he would meet the Indians where the greater
number wished. These Crees joined in an invocation to the
deity for a blessing on the Governor, and deputed one of their
number to welcome him by shaking hands.
Near the Fort were encamped about two hundred and fifty
lodges of Crees, to whom the Commissioners at once served
out two days' allowance of provisions.
On the 16th the Crees reported that they wanted another
day to confer amongst themselves, this was granted and the
Governor requested them to meet him and the Commissioners
on the 18th at 10 am., to commence the business of the
treaty.
FIRST DAY.
August 18th.
At half-past ten His Honor Lieut.-Gov. Morris, the Hon.
W. J. Christie and Hon. Jas. McKay, accompanied by an
escort of North-West Mounted Police, left the Fort for the
camp of the Cree Indians, who had selected a site about a mile
and a half from the Hudson's Bay Fort. There were about
two hundred and fifty lodges, containing over two thousand
souls. The Governor's tent was pitched on a piece of rising
ground about four hundred yards from the Indian camp, and
immediately facing it.
As soon as the Governor and party arrived, the Indians
who were to take part in the treaty, commenced to assemble
198 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
near the Chief's tents, to the sound of beating drums and the
discharge of small arms, singing, dancing and loud speaking,
going on at the same time.
In about half an hour they were ready to advance and meet
the Governor; this they did in a large semi-circle; in their
front were about twenty braves on horseback, galloping about
in circles, shouting, singing and going through various picturesque performances.
The semi-circle steadily advanced until
within fifty yards of the Governor's tent, when a halt was made
and further peculiar ceremonies commenced, the most remarkable of which was the "
dance of the stem." This was commenced
by the Chiefs, medicine men, councillors, singers and drum-
beaters, coming a little to the front and seating themselves on
blankets and robes spread for them. The bearer of the stem,
Wah-wee-kah-nich-kah-oh-tah-mah-hote (the man you strike on
the back), carrying in his hand a large and gorgeously adorned
pipe stem, walked slowly along the semi-circle, and advancing
to the front, raised the stem to the heavens, then slowly turned
to the north, south, east and west, presenting the stem at each
point; returning to the seated group he handed the stem to
one of the young men, who commenced a low chant, at the
same time performing a ceremonial dance accompanied by the
drums and singing of the men and women in the background.
This was all repeated by another of the young men, after
which the horsemen again commenced galloping in circles, the
whole body slowly advancing. As they approached his tent,
the Governor, accompanied by the Hon. W. J. Christie and
Hon. J as. McKay, Commissioners, went forward to meet them
and to receive the stem carried by its bearer. It was presented first to the Governor,
who in accordance with their customs, stroked it several times, then passed it to
the Commissioners who repeated the ceremony.
The significance of this ceremony is that the Governor and
Commissioners accepted the friendship of the tribe.
The interpreter then introduced the Chiefs and principal
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 199
men ; the Indians slowly seating themselves in regular order
in front of the tent. In a few minutes there was perfect quiet
and order, when His Honor
the Lieutenant-Governor addressed
them as follows :
" My Indian brothers, Indians of the plains, I have shaken
hands with a few of you, I shake hands with all of you in my
heart. God has given us a good day, I trust his eye is upon
us, and that what we do will be for the benefit of his children.
"What I say and what you say, and what we do, is done
openly before the whole people. You are, like me and my
friends who are with me, children of the Queen. We are of
the same blood, the same God made us and the same Queen
rules over us.
"I am a Queen's Councillor, I am her Governor of all these
territories, and I am here to speak from her to you. I am
here now because for many days the Cree nation have been
sending word that they wished to see a Queen's messenger
face to face. I told the Queen's Councillors your wishes.
I sent you word last year by a man who has gone where
we will all go by and by, that a Queen's messenger
would meet you this year. I named Forts Carlton and Pitt as
the places of meeting, I sent a letter to you saying so, and my
heart grew warm when I heard how well you received it.
"As the Queen's chief servant here, I always keep my promises; thethe winter came
and went but I did not forget my word,
tent, and I sent a messenger to tell you that I would meet you at
Carlton on the 15th of August, and at Fort Pitt on the 5th of
September.
" During the winter I went to Ottawa to consult with the
other Queen's Councillors about you amongst other matters,
and they said to me, ' you promised a Queen's messenger to the
Crees, you have been so much with the Indians, that we wish
and you to go yourself ;' I said 'the journey is long and I am not a
strong man, but when a duty is laid upon me I will do it, but,'
I said, 'you must give with me two friends and councillors
200 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
whom I can trust, to help me in the duty ;' and now I have
with me two friends whom you and I have known long ; one
of them is of your own blood, the other has been many years
amongst you.
"I will, in a short time, give you a message from the Queen,
and my Councillors will tell you that the words are true. Before I do so, there are
so many things I want to say to you
that I scarcely know where to begin. I have been nearly
four years Governor of Manitoba and these territories, and
from the day I was sworn, I took the Indian by the hand, and
those who took it have never let it go.
"Three years ago I went to the north-west angle of Lake
of the Woods, and there I met the Chippewa nation, I gave
them a message and they talked with me and when they
understood they took my hand. Some were away, next year
I sent messengers to them and I made a treaty between the
Queen and them ; there are numbered of those altogether four
thousand. I then went to Lake Qu'Appelle the year after, and
met the Crees and Chippewas there, gave them my message,
and they took my hand. Last summer I went to Lake Winnipeg and gave the Queen's message
to the Swampy Crees and
they and I, acting for the Queen, came together heart to heart;
and now that the Indians of the east understand the Queen
and her Councillors, I come to you. And why is all this done?
I will tell you ; it is because you are the subjects of the Queen
as I am. She cares as much for one of you as she does for
one of her white subjects. The other day a party of Iroquois
Indians were taken to England across the ocean ; the Queen
heard of it and sent to them, saying, 'I want to see my red children,' took their
hands and gave each of them her picture, and
sent them away happy with her goodness.
"Before I came here I was one of the Queen's Councillors at
Ottawa. We have many Indians there as here, but for many
years there has been friendship between the British, and the
Indians. We respect the Indians as brothers and as men.
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 201
Let me give you a proof it. Years ago there was war between
the British and the Americans ; there was a great battle ; there
were two brave Chief warriors on the British side, one wore
the red coat, the other dressed as you do, but they fought
side by side as brothers ; the one was Brock and the other was
Tecumseth whose memory will never die ; the blood of both
watered the ground ; the bones of Tecumseth were hid by his
friends ; the remains of Brock by his, and now a great pile of
stone stands up toward heaven in his memory. And now the
white man is searching for the remains of Tecumseth, and when
found they will build another monument in honour of the Indian.
" I hope the days of fighting are over, but notwithstanding
the whites are as much your friends in these days of peace, as
in war.
" The many Indians in the place that I have left are happy,
prosperous, contented and growing in numbers. A meeting of
the Grand Council of the Six Nation Indians was held a month
ago; they now number six thousand souls. They met to thank
the Queen and to say that they were content, and why are they
content ? Because many years ago the Queen's Councillors saw
that the Indians that would come after, must be cared for, they
saw that the means of living were passing away from the
Indians, they knew that women and children were sometimes
without food ; they sent men to speak to the Indians, they said
your children must be educated, they must be taught to raise
food for themselves. The Indians heard them, the Councillors
gave them seed, land, food, taught their children and let them
feel that they were of one blood with the whites. Now, what
we have found to work so well where I came from we want to
have here in our territories, and I am happy to say that my
heart is gladdened by the way the Indians have met me.
" We are not here as traders, I do not come as to buy or sell
horses or goods, I come to you, children of the Queen, to try to
help you ; when I say yes, I mean it, and when I say no, I mean
it too.
202 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
" I want you to think of my words, I want to tell you that
what we talk about is very important. What I trust and hope
we will do is not for to-day or to-morrow only ; what I will
promise, and what I believe and hope you will take, is to last
as long as that sun shines and yonder river flows.
" You have to think of those who will come after you, and
it will be a remembrance for me as long as I live, if I can go
away feeling that I have done well for you. I believe we can
understand each other, if not it will be the first occasion on
which the Indians have not done so. If you are as anxious for
your own welfare as I am, I am certain of what will happen.
" The day is passing. I thank you for the respectful reception
you have given me. I will do here as I have done on former
occasions. I hope you will speak your minds as fully and as
plainly as if I was one of yourselves.
" I wish you to think of what I have said. I wish you to
present your Chiefs to me to-day if you are ready, if not then
we will wait until to-morrow."
Here the Indians requested an adjournment until next day
in order that they might meet in council ; this was granted, and
the first day's proceedings terminated.
Late in the evening the escort of Mounted Police was reinforced by a detachment, accompanied
by their band, under
command of Col. Jarvis, making a force of nearly one hundred
men and officers.
SECOND DAY.
August 19th.
The Lieutenant-Governor and Commissioners, with the
Mounted Police escort, headed by their band, proceeded to the
camp to meet the Indians at 10:30 a.m. The Indians having
assembled in regular order with their two leading Chiefs,
Mis-
tah-wah-sis and
Ah-tuck-ah-coop seated in front, the Governor
said :
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt.
"My friends, we have another bright day before us, and I
trust that when it closes our faces will continue as bright as
the day before us. I spoke yesterday as a friend to friends, as
a brother to brothers, as a father to his children. I did not
want to hurry you, I wanted you to think of my words, and
now I will be glad if you will do as I asked you then, present
your Chiefs to me, and I shall be glad to hear the words of the
Indians through the voice of their Chiefs, or whoever they may
appoint.
The head men then brought forward Mis-tah-wah-sis, of the
Carlton Indians, representing seventy-six lodges. Ah-tuck-ah-
coop, of the Wood Indians, representing about seventy lodges.
These were acknowledged as the leading Chiefs, after them
came James Smith, of the Fort-a-la-Corne Indians, fifty lodges.
John Smith, of the Prince Albert and South Branch Indians,
fifty lodges. The Chip-ee-wayan, of the Plain Indians, sixty
lodges. Yah-yah-tah-kus-kin-un, of the Fishing or Sturgeon
lake Indians, twenty lodges. Pee-yahan-kah-mihk-oo-sit, thirty
lodges. Wah-wee-kah-nich-kah-oh-tah-mah-hote, of the River
Indians, fifty lodges.
Here a messenger came from the Indians under
Chief
Beardy, camped at Duck Lake, eight miles from the main camp.
He shook hands with the Governor and said," I am at a loss at
this time what to say, for the Indians' mind cannot be all the
same, that is why I came to tell the Governor the right of it ;
with a good heart I plead at this time, it is not my own work,
I would like to know his mind just now and hear the terms of
the treaty."
The Governor said in reply: " If your Chief and his people had been in their places here, they
would have heard with the rest what I had to say. You refused to meet me here, yet
you sent and asked me to give you provisions, but I refused to do so unless you joined
the others ; and now I will not tell my message to this messenger until I tell all
the rest ; he can hear with the rest and take back my words to his chief." The
204 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
messenger expressed himself satisfied, and took his seat with
the others.
On the Indians expressing themselves ready to hear the
message,
the Governor said :
" First I wish to talk to you about what I regard as something affecting the lives
of yourselves and the lives of your
children. Often when I thought of the future of the Indian
my heart was sad within me. I saw that the large game was
getting scarcer and scarcer, and I feared that the Indians would
melt away like snow in spring before the sun. It was my
duty as Governor to think of them, and I wondered if the Indians of the plains and
lakes could not do as their brothers
where I came from did. And now, when I think of it, I see a
bright sky before me. I have been nearly four years working
among my Indian brothers, and I am glad indeed to find that
many of them are seeking to have homes of their own, having
gardens and sending their children to school.
" Last spring I went to see some of the Chippewas, this year
I went again and I was glad to see houses built, gardens
planted and wood cut for more houses. Understand me, I do
not want to interfere with your hunting and fishing. I want
you to pursue it through the country, as you have heretofore
done ; but I would like your children to be able to find food
for themselves and their children that come after them. Sometimes when you go to hunt
you can leave your wives and children at home to take care of your gardens.
" I am glad to know that some of you have already begun
to build and to plant ; and I would like on behalf of the Queen
to give each band that desires it a home of their own ; I want
to act in this matter while it is time. The country is wide and
you are scattered, other people will come in. Now unless the
places where you would like to live are secured soon there might
be difliculty. The white man might come and settle on the
very place where you would like to be. Now what I and my
brother Commissioners would like to do is this: we wish to
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 205
give each band who will accept of it a place where they may
live ; we wish to give you as much or more land than you need ;
we wish to send a man that surveys the land to mark it off, so
you will know it is your own, and no one will interfere with
you. What I would propose to do is what we have done in
other places. For every family of five a reserve to themselves
of one square mile. Then, as you may not all have made up your
minds where you would like to live, I will tell you how that
will be arranged : we would do as has been done with happiest
results at the North-West Angle. We would send next year a
surveyor to agree with you as to the place you would like.
"There is one thing I would say about the reserves. The
land I name is much more than you will ever be able to farm,
and it may be that you would like to do as your brothers where
I came from did.
"They, when they found they had too much land, asked the
Queen to it sell for them ; they kept as much as they could want,
and the price for which the remainder was sold was put away
to increase for them, and many bands now have a yearly income
from the land.
"But understand me, once the reserve is set aside, it could
not be sold unless with the consent of the Queen and the Indians ; as long as the
Indians wish, it will stand there for their
good ; no one can take their homes.
" Of course, if when a reserve is chosen, a white man had
already settled there, his rights must be respected. The rights
and interests of the whites and half-breeds are as dear to the
Queen as those of the Indians. She deals justly by all, and I
am sure my Indian brothers would like to deal with others as
they would have others to deal with them. I think you can
now understand the question of homes.
" When the Indians settle on a reserve and have a sufficient
number of children to be taught, the Queen would maintain a
school. Another thing, that affects you all, some of you have
temptations as the white men have, and therefore the fire
206 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
water which does so much harm will not be allowed to be sold
or used in the reserve. Then before I leave the question of
reserves I will tell you how we will help you to make your
homes there. We would give to every family actually cultivating the soil the following
articles; viz., two hoes, one spade,
one scythe, one axe, and then to help in breaking the land,
one plough and two harrows for every ten families ; and to help
you to put up houses we give to each Chief for his band, one
chest of carpenter's tools, one cross-cut saw, five hand saws, one
pit saw and files, five augers and one grindstone. Then if a
band settles on its reserves the people will require something to
aid them in breaking the soil. They could not draw the ploughs
themselves, therefore we will give to each Chief for the use of
his band one or two yokes of oxen according to the number in
the band. In order to encourage the keeping of cattle we would
give each band a bull and four cows ; having all these things we
would give each band enough potatoes, oats, barley and wheat
for seed to plant the land actually broken. This would be done
once for all to encourage them to grow for themselves.
"Chiefs ought to be respected, they ought to be looked up
to by their people; they ought to have good Councillors ; the
Chiefs and Councillors should consult for the good of the
people ; the Queen expects Indians and whites to obey her
laws ; she expects them to live at peace with other Indians
and with the white men ; the Chiefs and Councillors should
teach their people so, and once the Queen approves a Chief or
Councillor he cannot be removed unless he behaves badly.
"The Chiefs and head men are not to be lightly put aside.
When a treaty is made they become servants of the Queen ;
they are to try and keep order amongst their people. We will
try to keep order in the whole country.
"A Chief has his braves ; you see here the braves of our
Queen, and why are they here? To see that no white man
does wrong to the Indian. To see that none give liquor to
the Indian. To see that the Indians do no harm to each
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 207
other. Three years ago some Americans killed some Indians ;
when the Queen's Councillors heard of it they said, we will
send men there to protect the Indians, the Queen's subjects
shall not be shot down by the Americans ; now you understand why the police force
is in this country, and you should
rejoice.
" I have said a Chief was to be respected ; I wear a uniform
because I am an officer of the Queen, the officers of the police
wear uniforms as servants of the Queen. So we give to Chiefs
and Councillors good and suitable uniform indicating their
office, to wear on these and other great days.
"We recognize four head men to each large band and two
to each small one.
"I have always been much pleased when Indians came to
me and showed me medals given to their grandfathers and
transmitted to them ; now we have with us silver medals that
no Chief need be ashamed to wear, and I have no doubt that
when the Chiefs are gone, they will. be passed on to their
children. In addition each Chief will be given a flag to put
over his lodge to show that he is a Chief.
"I told you yesterday that I and my brother Commissioners
were not here as traders.
" There is one thing I ought to have mentioned in addition
to what I have already named, that is, if a treaty is made here
and at Fort Pitt, we will give every year to the Indians included in it, one thousand
five hundred dollars' worth of ammunition and twine.
"You think only for yourselves, we have to think of the
Indians all over the country, we cannot treat one better than
another, it would not be just, we will therefore do this, and
what I tell you now is the last.
" When the treaty is closed, if it be closed, we will make a
present to every man, woman and child, of twelve dollars, the
money being paid to the head of a family for his wife, and
children not married.
208 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
"To each Chief, instead of twelve, we give twenty-five
dollars, and to each head man fifteen dollars, their wives and
children getting the same as the others. I told you also that
what I was promising was not for to-day or to-morrow only,
but should continue as long as the sun shone and the river
flowed. My words will pass away and so will yours, so I
always write down what I promise, that our children may
know what we said and did. Next year I shall send copies of
what is written in the treaty, printed on skin, so that it cannot rub out nor be destroyed,
and one shall be given to each
Chief so that there may be no mistakes.
"Then I promise to do as we have done with all before
from Cypress Hills to Lake Superior, the Queen will agree to
pay yearly five dollars per head for every man, woman and
child. I cannot treat you better than the others, but I am
ready to treat you as well.
"A little thing I had forgotten, and I have done. The
Chiefs' and head men's coats will wear out, they are meant to be
worn when it is necessary to show that they are officers of the
Queen, and every third year they will be replaced by new ones.
"And now, Indians of the plains, I thank you for the open
ear you have given me ; I hold out my hand to you full of the
Queen's bounty and I hope you will not put it back. We
have no object but to discharge our duty to the Queen and
towards you. Now that my hand is stretched out to you, it
is for you to say whether you will take it and do as I think
you ought—act for the good of your people.
"What I have said has been in the face of the people.
These things will hold good next year for those that are now
away. I have done. What do you say ?"
MIS-TAH-WAH-SIS here came forward, shook hands with the
Governor, and said :—" We have heard all he has told us, but
I want to tell him how it is with us as well ; when a thing is
thought of quietly, probably that is the best way. I ask this
much from him this day that we go and think of his words."
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 209
The Governor and Commissioners agreed to the request and
asked the Indians to meet them Monday morning at ten
o'clock with as little delay as possible.
Before parting, the
Governor said to the Indians, " This
is a great day for us all. I have proposed on behalf of the
Queen what I believe to be for your good, and not for yours
only, but for that of your children's children, and when you go
away think of my words. Try to understand what my heart
is towards you. I will trust that we may come together hand
to hand and heart to heart again. I trust that God will bless
this bright day for our good, and give your Chiefs and Councillors wisdom so that
you will accept the words of your
Governor. I have said."
Sunday, August 20th.
Divine service, which was largely attended, was held in the
square of Fort Carlton, by the Rev. John McKay, at half-past
ten am.
At noon a message came from the encampment of Indians
requesting the Rev. Mr. McKay to hold service with them,
which he did in the afternoon, preaching in their own tongue
to a congregation of over two hundred adult Crees.
Monday, August 21st.
The principal Chief sent a message that as the Indians had
held no Council on Sunday, they wished to have Monday to
themselves and would if ready meet the Commissioners on
Tuesday morning.
THIRD DAY.
August 22nd.
The Governor and Commissioners having proceeded as usual
to the camp, the Indians soon assembled in order, when the
Lieutenant-Governor said :
" Indian children of the Queen, it is now a week to-day since
210 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
I came here on the day I said I would ; I have to go still
further after I leave here, and then a long journey home to
Red River.
" I have not hurried you, you have had two days to think ;
I have spoken much to you, and now I wish to hear you, my
ears are open and I wish to hear the voices of your principal
Chiefs or of those chosen to speak for them. Now I am
waiting."
OO-PEE-TOO-KERAH-HAN-AP-EE-WEE-YIN (the Pond-maker) came
forward and said :—" We have heard your words that you had
to say to us as the representative of the Queen. We were glad
to hear what you had to say, and have gathered together in
council and thought the words over amongst us, we were glad
to hear you tell us how we might live by our own work.
When I commence to settle on the lands to make a living for
myself and my children, I beg of you to assist me in every
way possible—when I am at a loss how to proceed I want the
advice and assistance of the Government ; the children yet
unborn, I wish you to treat them in like manner as they advance
in civilization like the white man. This is all I have been told
to say now, if I have not said anything in a right manner I
wish to be excused; this is the voice of the people."
GOVERNOR—"I have heard the voice of the people; I am
glad to learn that they are looking forward to having their
children civilized, that is the great object of the Government,
as is proved by what I have offered. Those that come after us
in the Government will think of your children as we think of
you. The Queen's Councillors intend to send a man to look
after the Indians, to be chief superintendent of Indian affairs,
and under him there will be two or three others to live in the
country, that the Queen's Councillors may know how the Indians
are prospering.
"I cannot promise, however, that the Government will feed
and support all the Indians ; you are many, and if we were to
try to do it, it would take a great deal of money, and some of
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 211
you would never do anything for yourselves. What I have
offered does not take away your living, you will have it then as
you have now, and what I offer now is put on top of it. This
I can tell you, the Queen's Government will always take a
deep interest in your living."
THE BADGER ― "We want to think of our children; we do
not want to be too greedy ; when we commence to settle down
on the reserves that we select, it is there we want your aid,
when we cannot help ourselves and in case of troubles seen and
unforeseen in the future."
Sak-ah-moos and several other Indians in order repeated
what The Badger had said.
GOVERNOR—" I have told you that the money I have offered
you would be paid to you and to your children's children. I know
that the sympathy of the Queen, and her assistance, would be
given you in any unforeseen circumstances. You must trust to
her generosity. Last winter when some of the Indians wanted
food because the crops had been destroyed by grasshoppers,
although it was not promised in the treaty, nevertheless the Government sent money
to buy them food, and in the spring when
many of them were sick a man was sent to try and help them.
We cannot foresee these things, and all I can promise is that you
will be treated kindly, and in that extraordinary circumstances
you must trust to the generosity of the Queen. My brother
Commissioner, Mr. McKay, will speak to you in your own
language."
MR. MCKAY—" My friends, I wish to make you a clear
explanation of some things that it appears you do not understand. It has been said
to you by your Governor that we did
not come here to barter or trade with you for the land. You
have made demands on the Governor, and from the way you
have put them a white man would understand that you asked
for daily provisions, also supplies for your hunt and for your
pleasure excursions. Now my reasons for explaining to you
are based on my past experience of treaties, for no sooner will
212 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
the Governor and Commissioners turn their backs on you than
some of you will say this thing and that thing was promised
and the promise not fulfilled; that you cannot rely on the
Queen's representative, that even he will not tell the truth,
whilst among yourselves are the falsifiers. Now before we rise
from here it must be understood, and it must be in writing, all
that you are promised by the Governor and Commissioners, and
I hope you will not leave until you have thoroughly understood
the meaning of every word that comes from us. We have not
come here to deceive you, we have not come here to rob you,
we have not come here to take away anything that belongs to
you, and we are not here to make peace as we would to hostile
Indians, because you are the children of the Great Queen as we
are, and there has never been anything but peace between us.
What you have not understood clearly we will do our utmost
to make perfectly plain to you."
GOVERNOR—"I have another word to say to the Indians on
this matter: last year an unforeseen calamity came upon the
people of Red River, the grasshoppers came and ate all their
crops. There is no treaty between the people of Red River
and the Queen except that they are her subjects. There was
no promise to help them, but I sent down and said that unless
help came some of the people would die from want of food, and
that they had nothing wherewith to plant. The Queen's
Councillors at once gave money to feed the people, and seed
that they might plant the ground; but that was something out
of and beyond every-day life, and therefore I say that some
great sickness or famine stands as a special case. You may
rest assured that when you go to your reserves you will be
followed by the watchful eye and sympathetic hand of the
Queen's Councillors."
THE BADGER—"I do not want you to feed me every day ; you
must not understand that from what I have said. When we
commence to settle down on the ground to make there our own
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 213
living, it is then we want your help, and that 1s the only way
that I can see how the poor can get along."
GOVERNOR —"You will remember the promises which I have
already made ; I said you would get seed ; you need not concern
yourselves so much about what your grand-children are going
to eat ; your children will be taught, and then they will be as
well able to take care of themselves as the whites around
them."
MIS-TAH-WAH-SIS (one of the leading Chiefs)—"It is well
known that if we had plenty to live on from our gardens we
would not still insist on getting more provision, but it is in case
of any extremity, and from the ignorance of the Indian in commencing to settle that
we thus speak ; we are as yet in the
dark; this is not a trivial matter for us.
"We were glad to hear what the Governor was saying to us
and we understood it, but we are not understood, we do not
mean to ask for food for every day but only when we commence and in case of famine
or calamity. What we speak of
and do now will last as long as the sun shines and the river
runs, we are looking forward to our children's children, for we
are old and have but few days to live."
AH-TAHK-AH-COOP (the other leading Chief)—" The things
we have been talking about in our councils I believe are for
our good. I think of the good Councillors of the Queen and
of her Commissioners ; I was told the Governor was a good
man, and now that I see him I believe he is ; in coming to see
us, and what he has spoken, he has removed almost all obstacles
and misunderstandings, and I hope he may remove them all.
I have heard the good things you promise us, you have told us
of the white man's way of living and mentioned some of the
animals by which he gets his living, others you did not. We
want food in the spring when we commence to farm ; according
as the Indian settles down on his reserves, and in proportion as
he advances, his wants will increase."
The Indians here asked for the afternoon to hold further
214 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
council. To this the Governor said, "I grant the request of
the Indians but I give them a word of warning, do not listen
to every voice in your camp, listen to your wise men who know
something of life, and do not come asking what is unreasonable, it pains me to have
to say no, and I tell you again
I cannot treat you with more favor than the other Indians.
To-morrow, when we meet, speak out your minds openly, and
I will answer, holding nothing back. Be ready to meet me tomorrow, as soon as my flag
is raised, for remember I have a
long journey before me and we ought to come to a speedy
understanding. I trust the God who made you will give you
wisdom in considering what you have to deal with.
FOURTH DAY.
August 23rd.
Shortly after the business had commenced, proceedings were
interrupted by the loud talking of a Chippewa, who was addressing the Indians gathered
in front of the tent. The Governor said, "There was an Indian, a Chippewa, stood and
spoke
to you, he did not speak to his Governor as he should have
done : I am willing to hear what any band has to say, but they
must speak to me. I have been talking to the Crees for several
days. I wish to go on with the work; if the Chippewas want
to talk with me I will hear them afterwards. They are a little
handful of strangers from the east, I have treated with their
whole nation, they are not wiser than their people.
" There are many reasons why business should go on ; I hear
that the buffalo are near you and you want to be off to your
hunt ; there are many mouths here to feed and provisions are
getting low ; now my friends I am ready to hear you."
TEE—TEE-QUAY-SAY—" Listen to me, my friends, all you who
are sitting around here, and you will soon hear what the interpreter has to say for
us."
The interpreter then read a list of the things the Indians
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 215
had agreed in council to ask, viz. :—One ox and cow for each
family. Four hoes, two spades, two scythes and a Whetstone
for each family. Two axes, two hay forks, two reaping hooks,
one plough and one harrow for every three families. To each
Chief one chest of tools as proposed. Seed of every kind in
full to every one actually cultivating the soil. To make some
provision for the poor, unfortunate, blind and lame. To supply
us with a minister and school teacher of whatever denomination we belong to. To prevent
fire-water being sold in the
whole Saskatchewan.
As the tribe advances in civilization, all agricultural implements to be supplied
in proportion.
When timber becomes scarcer on the reserves we select for
ourselves, we want to be free to take it anywhere on the common. If our choice of
a reserve does not please us before it
is surveyed we want to be allowed to select another. We want
to be at liberty to hunt on any place as usual. If it should
happen that a Government bridge or scow is built on the
Saskatchewan at any place, we want passage free. One boar,
two sows, one horse, harness and waggon for each Chief. One
cooking stove for each Chief. That we be supplied with medicines free of cost. That
a hand-mill be given to each band.
Lastly in case of war occurring in the country, we do not want
to be liable to serve in it.
TEE-TEE-QUAY-SAY then continued—" When we look back to
the past we do not see where the Cree nation has ever watered
the ground with the white man's blood, he has always been
our friend and we his ; trusting to the Giver of all good, to the
generosity of the Queen, and to the Governor and his councillors, we hope you will
grant us this request."
WAH-WEE-KAH-NIHK—KAH-OO-TAH-MAII-HOTE the man you
strike in the back)—" Pity the voice of the Indian, if you grant
what we request the sound will echo through the land; open
the way; I speak for the children that they may be glad; the
land is wide, there is plenty of room. My mouth is full of
216 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
milk, I am only as a sucking child ; I am glad ; have compassion on the manner in
which I was brought up ; let our
children be clothed ; let us now stand in the light of day to see
our way on this earth ; long ago it was good when we first
were made, I wish the same were back again. But now the
law has come, and in that I wish to walk. What God has
said, and our mother here (the earth), and these our brethren,
let it be so."
To this the Governor replied—" Indians, I made you my
offer. You have asked me now for many things, some of
which were already promised. You are like other Indians I
have met, you can ask very well. You are right in asking,
because you are saying what is in your minds. I have had
taken down a list of what you have asked, and I will now consult with my brother Commissioners
and give you my answer
in a little while."
After consultation, the Governor again had the Indians
assembled, and said—" I am ready now to answer you, but
understand well, it is not to be talked backwards and forwards.
I am not going to act like a man bargaining for a horse for
you. I have considered well what you have asked for, and
my answer will be a final one. I cannot grant everything you
ask, but as far as I can go I will, and when done I can only
say you will be acting to your own interests if you take my
hand.
" I will speak of what you asked yesterday and to-day. I
told you yesterday that if any great sickness or general famine
overtook you, that on the Queen being informed of it by her
Indian agent, she in her goodness would give such help as she
thought the Indians needed. You asked for help when you
settled on your reserves during the time you were planting.
You asked very broadly at first. I think the request you make
now is reasonable to a certain extent ; but help should be given
after you settle on the reserve for three years only, for after
that time you should have food of your own raising, besides
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 217
all the things that are given to you; this assistance would only
be given to those actually cultivating the soil. Therefore, I
would agree to give every spring, for three years, the sum of
one thousand dollars to assist you in buying provisions while
planting the ground. I do this because you seem anxious to
make a living for yourselves, it is more than has been done
anywhere else; I must do it on my own responsibility, and
trust to the other Queen's councillors to ratify it.
" I will now answer what you had written down and asked
to-day. I expect you to be reasonable, none of us get all our
own way. You asked first for four hoes, two spades, two
scythes and Whetstone, two axes, two hay forks and two reaping hooks for every family.
I am willing to give them to
every family actually cultivating the soil, for if given to all it
would only encourage idleness. You ask a plough and harrow
for every three families; I am willing to give them on the
same conditions. The carpenters' tools, as well as the seed
grain, were already promised. I cannot undertake the responsibility of promising provision
for the poor, blind and lame. In
all parts of the Queen's dominions we have them; the poor
whites have as much reason to be helped as the poor Indian;
they must be left to the charity and kind hearts of the people.
If you are prosperous yourselves you can help your unfortunate
brothers.
"You ask for school teachers and ministers. With regard
to ministers I cannot interfere. There are large societies
formed for the purpose of sending the gospel to the Indians.
The Government does not provide ministers anywhere in
Canada. I had already promised you that when you settled
down, and there were enough children, schools would be maintained You see missionaries
here on the ground, both Roman
Catholic and Protestant; they have been in the country for
many years. As it has been in the past, so it will be again,
you will not be forgotten.
"The police force is here to prevent the selling or giving of
218 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
liquor to the Indians. The Queen has made a strong law
against the fire-water; and the councillors of the country have
made a law against the use of poison for animals.
"You can have no difficulty in choosing your reserves; be
sure to take a good place so that there will he no need to
change; you would not be held to your choice until it was
surveyed.
" You want to be at liberty to hunt as before. I told you
we did not want to take that means of living from you, you
have it the same as before, only this, if a man, whether Indian
or Half-breed, had a good field of grain, you would not destroy
it with your hunt. In regard to bridges and scows on which
you want passage free, I do not think it likely that the Government will build any,
they prefer to leave it to private enterprise to provide these things.
"In case of war you ask not to be compelled to fight. I trust
there will be no war, but if it should occur I think the Queen
would leave you to yourselves. I am sure she would not ask
her Indian children to fight for her unless they wished, but if
she did call for them and their wives and children were in
danger they are not the men I think them to be, if they did
not come forward to their protection.
"A medicine chest will be kept at the house of each Indian
agent, in case of sickness amongst you. I now come to two
requests which I shall have to change a little, you have to
think only of yourselves, we have to think of all the Indians
and of the way in which we can procure the money to purchase
all these things the Indians require. The Queen's Councillors
will have to pay every year to help the Indians a very large
sum of money.
"I offered you to each band, according to size, two or four
oxen, also one bull and four cows, and now you ask for an ox
and a cow for each family. I suppose in this treaty there will
be six hundred families, so it would take very much money to
grant these things, and then all the other Indians would want
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 219
them, so we cannot do it : but that you may see it that we are
anxious to have you raise animals of your own we will give
you for each band four oxen, one bull, six cows, one boar and
two pigs. After a band has settled on a reserve and commenced to raise grain, we will
give them a hand-mill.
" At first we heard of only two Chiefs, now they are
becoming many. You ask a cooking-stove for each, this we
cannot give ; he must find a way of cooking for himself.
And now, although I fear I am going too far, I will grant the
request that each Chief be furnished with a horse, harness,
and waggon.
" I have answered your requests very fully, and that there
may be no mistake as to what we agree upon, it will be written
down, and I will leave a copy with the two principal Chiefs,
and as soon as it can be properly printed I will send copies to
the Chiefs so that they may know what is written, and there
can be no mistake.
" It now rests with you, my friends, and I ask you without
any hesitation to take what I have offered you."
AH-TUCK-AH-COOP—" I never sent a letter to the Governor ;
I was waiting to meet him, and what we have asked we considered would be for the benefit
of our children. I am not
like some of my friends who have sent their messages down,
even stretched out their hands to the Queen asking her to
come ; I have always said to my people that I would wait to
see the Governor arrive, then he would ask what would benefit
his children ; now I ask my people, those that are in favour of
the offer, to say so."
They all assented by holding up their hands and shouting.
OO-PEE-TOO-KORAH-HAIR-AP-EE-WEE-YIN (The Pond-maker)—
" I do not differ from my people, but I want more explanation.
I heard what you said yesterday, and I thought that when the
law was established in this country it would be for our good.
From what I can hear and see now, I cannot understand that
I shall be able to clothe my children and feed them as long as
220 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
sun shines and water runs. With regard to the different
Chiefs who are to occupy the reserves, I expected they would
receive sufficient for their support, this is why I speak. In the
presence of God and the Queen's representative I say this, because I do not know how
to build a house for myself, you see
how naked I am, and if I tried to do it my naked body would
suffer; again, I do not know how to cultivate the ground for
myself, at the same time I quite understand what you have
offered to assist us in this."
JOSEPH THOMAS proposed to speak for The Red Pheasant,
Chief of Battle River Indians—"This is not my own desire
that I speak now, it is very hard we cannot all be of one
mind. You know some were not present when the list of
articles mentioned was made, there are many things overlooked
in it; it is true that what has been done this morning is good.
What has been overlooked I will speak about. The one that
is next to the Chief (first head man) should have had a horse
as well. I want the Governor to give us somebody to build
our houses, we cannot manage it ourselves, for my own part
you see my crippled hand. It is true the Governor says he
takes the responsibility on himself in granting the extra
requests of the Indians, but let him consider on the quality of
the land he has already treated for. There is no farming land
whatever at the north-west angle, and he goes by what he has
down there. What I want, as he has said, is twenty-five dollars
to each Chief and to his head men twenty dollars. I do not
want to keep the lands nor do I give away, but I have set the
value. I want to ask as much as will cover the skin of the
people, no more nor less. I think what he has offered is too
little. When you spoke you mentioned ammunition, I did
not hear mention of a gun; we will not be able to kill anything
simply by setting fire to powder. I want a gun for each Chief
and head man, and I want ten miles around the reserve where
I may be settled. I have told the value I have put on my
land."
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 221
GOVERNOR—" I have heard what has been said on behalf of
the Red Pheasant. I find fault that when there was handed
me a list from the Indians, the Red Pheasant sat still and led
me to believe he was a party to it. What I have offered was
thought of long before I saw you ; it has been accepted by
others more in number than you are. I am glad that so many
are of our mind. I am surprised you are not all. I hold out
a full hand to you, and it will be a bad day for you and your
children if I have to return and say that the Indians threw
away my hand. I cannot accede to the requests of the Red
Pheasant. I have heard and considered the wants of Mist-ow-
asis and Ah-tuck-ah-coop, and when the people were spoken
to I understood they were pleased. As for the little band who
are not of one mind with the great body, I am quite sure that
a week will not pass on leaving this before they will regret it.
I want the Indians to understand that all that has been offered
is a gift, and they still have the same mode of living as before."
Here the principal Chiefs intimated the acceptance of the
proposal of the Commissioners, the Red Pheasant repudiating
the demands and remarks of Joseph Thoma.
GOVERNOR—" I am happy at what we have done ; I know it
has been a good work ; I know your hearts will be glad as the
days pass. This will be the fourth time that I have done what
we are going to do to-day. I thank you for your trust in me.
I have had written down what I promised. For the Queen
and in her name I will sign it, likewise Mr. McKay and Mr.
Christie. Then I will ask the Chiefs and their head men to
sign it in the presence of the witnesses, whites and
Metis,
around us, some of whom I will also ask to sign. What we
have done has been done before the Great Spirit and in the
face of the people.
"I will ask the interpreter to read to you what has been
written, and before I go away I will have a copy made to leave
with the principal Chiefs. The payments will be made tomorrow, the suits of clothes,
medals and flags given. also,
222 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
besides which a present of calicoes, shirts, tobacco, pipes and
other articles will be given to the Indians."
MIS-TOW-ASIS—" I wish to speak a word for some Half-breeds
who wish to live on the reserves with us, they are as poor as
we are and need help."
GOVERNOR—"The Queen has been kind to the Half-
breeds of Red River and has given them much land; we
did not come as messengers to the Half-breeds, but to the
Indians. I have heard some Half-breeds want to take lands
at Red River and join the Indians here, but they cannot take
with both hands. The Half-breeds of the North-West cannot
come into the Treaty. The small class of Half-breeds who live
as Indians and with the Indians, can be regarded as Indians
by the Commissioners, who will judge of each case on its own
merits as it comes up, and will report their action to the
Queen's Councillors for their approval.
August 24th.
Immediately on meeting at ten a.m., the Governor called up
Mis-tow-asis and Ah-tuck-ah-coop, the two principal Chiefs, and
presented their uniforms, medals and flags; after them the
lesser Chiefs, their medals and flags, and told them they and
their Councillors would get their uniforms in the evening from
the stores. The Governor then told them that Mr. Christie
would commence payments as soon as he had finished talking
with the few Saulteaux; he expected the Chiefs and Councillors
to assist in every way possible; if any of the Chiefs had decided
where they would like to have their reserves, they could tell
Mr. Christie when they went to be paid. " Now, I have only to
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 223
say farewell ; we have done a good work ; we will never all
of us meet again face to face, but I go on to my other work,
feeling that I have, in the Queen's hands, been instrumental to
your good. I pray God's blessing upon you to make you happy
and prosperous, and I bid you farewell."
The Indians intimated their pleasure by a general shout of
approval, and thus broke up the conference which resulted in
the Treaty with the Carlton Crees.
The
Lieutenant-Governor then met the few Chippewas who
came forward, and told them that they must be paid at the
place where they belonged, that they could not be paid at Fort
Pitt, and said, "If what I have heard is true I shall not be
well pleased. I am told you are of a bad mind ; you proposed
to prevent me from crossing the river ;
* if you did it was very
foolish ; you could no more stop me than you could the river
itself. Then I am told you tried to prevent the other Indians
from making the treaty. I tell you this to your faces so if it
is not true you can say so ; but whether it is or not it makes
no difference in my duty. The Queen has made treaties with
the whole Chippewa nation except two or three little wandering bands such as you ;
you have heard all that has been said
and done these many days ; I would like to see you helped as
well as the other Indians ; I do not think you are wiser than
the Chippewas from Lake Superior to the North-West Angle ;
I went there with Mr. McKay, and we made a treaty with
twenty Chiefs and four thousand Chippewas."
NUS-WAS-OO-WAH-TUM—" When we asked the Cree bands
what they intended to do with regard to the treaty they would
not come to us ; it is true we told them 'do not be in a hurry
in giving your assent ;' you ought to be detained a little while ;
all along the prices have been to one side, and we have had no say.
He that made us provided everything for our mode of living ; I
have seen this all along, it has brought me up and I am not tired
of it, and for you, the white man, everything has been made for
224 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
your maintenance, and now that you come and stand on this
our earth (ground) I do not understand ; I see dimly to-day
what you are doing, and I find fault with a portion of it ; that
is why I stand back ; I would have been glad if every white
man of every denomination were now present to hear what I
say ; through what you have done you have cheated my kinsmen."
GOVERNOR—" I will not sit here and hear such words from
the Chippewas. Who are you? You come from my country
and you tell me the Queen has cheated you ; it is not so. You
say we have the best of the bargains ; you know it is not so.
If you have any requests to make in a respectful manner I am
ready to hear."
CHIPPEWA—"The God that made us and who alone is our
master, I am afraid of Him to deviate from his commandment."
The Chippewas, about half a dozen in all, being from Quill
Lake chiefly, left, and Mr. Christie proceeded with the payments, which occupied the
remainder of the 24th and all the
25th. He paid in all, Chiefs, 13 ; head men 44 ; men, 262 ;
women, 473 ; boys, 473 ; girls, 481 ; from Treaty Number
Four, 41 ; total, 1,787. A large number of the tribe absent
at the hunt will be paid next year.
Next morning, the 26th, the whole Cree camp, headed by
their Chiefs and head men, wearing their uniforms and medals,
came to Carlton House and assembled in the square to pay
their farewell visit to the Governor; the Chiefs came forward
in order and shook hands, each one making a few remarks expressive of their gratitude
for the benefits received and promised, and of their good will to the white man.
The Governor briefly replied, telling them that he was much
gratified with the manner in which they had behaved throughout the treaty; he had
never dealt with a quieter, more orderly
and respectful body of Indians ; he was pleased with the manner in which they had
met him and taken his advice ; he was
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 225
glad to hear that they were determined to go to work and help
themselves: he hoped their Councils would always be wisely
conducted, and that they would do everything in their power
to maintain peace amongst themselves and with their neighbors ; he hoped the Almighty
would give them wisdom and
prosper them. They then gave three cheers for the Queen, the
Governor, the mounted police and Mr. Lawrence Clarke, of
Carlton House.
On the 27th a message was received from Duck Lake from
the Willow Indians, the band which had hitherto held aloof,
in reply to a message sent to them by the Governor, that they
would meet the Governor and Commissioners at the place
designated by the Governor, the camp of the Hon. James
McKay, about five miles from Carlton House. Accordingly,
the next morning the Commissioners met them, and after the
usual ceremonial hand-shaking,
SAY-SWAY-PUS—" God has given us a beautiful day for which
I feel very grateful. By grasping your hand I am grasping
that of our Mother, the Queen. If it is your intention to
honor me with a Chief's clothing, I wish you would give me
one that would correspond with the sky above. I hope we
will be able to understand each other." '
CHIN-UN-US-KUT (The Stump)—"I feel very grateful that I
am spared by the Great Spirit to see this day of his, may we
be blessed in whatever we do this day."
GOVERNOR—"Crees, my brother children of the Great Queen,
I am glad to meet you here to-day. I say as you said the first
day I saw you, 'it is a bright day and I hope God will bless
us.' I have been sorry for you for many days. I took you
by the hand on the first day, but a wall rose up between us,
it seemed as if you were trying to draw away but I would not
let your hand go. I talked for many days with the great body
of the Indians here but you refused to meet me ; the others
and I understood each other. I was going away to-day, but I
thought pity of you who had not talked with me, I was sent
226 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
here to make you understand the Queen's will. I received
your letter last night and was glad to learn that you wanted to
accept the terms I had offered, and which had been accepted by
the other Indians. Before I received your letter I had
sent you one asking you to meet me here where we are now,
and I am glad you have come, as I could not otherwise have
met you.
"One of you made a request that if he were accepted as a
Chief, he should have a blue coat. I do not yet know who the
Chiefs are. To be a Chief he must have followers. One man
came forward as a Chief and I had to tell him unless you
have twenty tents you cannot continue as a Chief.
"The color of your Chief's coat is perhaps a little thing;
red is the color all the Queen's Chiefs wear. I wear this
coat, but it is only worn by those who stand as the Queen's
Councillors; her soldiers and her officers wear red, and all the
other Chiefs of the Queen wear the coats we have brought, and
the good of this is that when the Chief is seen with his uniform
and medal every one knows he is an officer of hers. I should
be sorry to see you different from the others, and now that
you understand you would not wish it."
KAH-MEE-YIS-TOO-WAYS (The Beardy)—"I feel grateful for
this day, and I hope we will be blessed. I am glad that I see
something that will be of use; I wish that we all as a people
may be benefitted by this. I want that all these things should
be preserved in a manner that they might be useful to us all ;
it is in the power of men to help each other. We should not
act foolishly with the things that are given us to live by. I
think some things are too little, they will not be sufficient for
our wants. I do not want very much more than what has
been promised, only a little thing. I will be glad if you will
help me by writing my request down ; on account of the
buffalo I am getting anxious. I wish that each one should
have an equal share, if that could be managed; in this I think
we would be doing good. Perhaps this is not the only time
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 227
that we shall see each other. Now I suppose another can
say what he wishes. .
SAY-SWAY-KUS—" What my brother has said, I say the
same, but I want to tell him and our mother the Queen, that
although we understand the help they offer us, I am getting
alarmed when I look at the buffalo, it appears to me as if there
was only one. I trust to the Queen and to the Governor, it is
only through their aid we can manage to preserve them. I
want to hear from the Governor himself an answer to what I
have said, so I may thoroughly understand."
THE BEARDY—"Those things which the Almighty has provided for the sustenance of his children
may be given us as
well ; where our Father has placed the truth we wish the same
to be carried out here, I do not set up a barrier to any road
that my children may live by : I want the payment to exist as
long as the sun shines and the river runs : if we exercise all
our good, this surely will happen : all of our words upon
which we agree, I wish to have a copy written on skin as
promised ; I want my brother to tell me where I can get this.
He has said, ' what I have done with the others I will do with
you :' I accept the terms, no doubt it will run further according to our number. When
I am utterly unable to help myself
I want to receive assistance. I will render all the assistance
I can to my brother in taking care of the country. I want
from my brother a suit of clothing in color resembling the sky
so that he may be able when he sees me to know me ; I want
these two (sitting by him) to be Chiefs in our place with me
and to have six Councillors (two each) in all."
GOVERNOR—"I will speak to you in regard to food as I
have spoken to the other Indians ; we cannot support or feed
the Indians every day, further than to help them to find the
means of doing it for themselves by cultivating the soil. If
you were to be regularly fed some of you would do nothing at all
for your own support; in this matter we will do as we have
agreed with the other Indians, and no more. You will get
228 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
your share of the one thousand dollars' worth of provisions
when you commence to work on your reserves.
"In a national famine or general sickness, not what happens
in every day life, but if a great blow comes on the Indians,
they would not be allowed to die like dogs.
"What occurred in Red River last year from the destruction
of crops by the grasshoppers, affected our whole people, and
without being bound to do anything, the charity and humanity
of the Government sent means to help them.
"I cannot give the Chief a blue coat: he must accept the
red one and he must not suffer so small a matter as the color
of a coat to stand between us. I accept the three Chiefs with
two Councillors for each. With regard to the preservation of
the buffalo, it is a subject of great importance, it will be considered by the Lieutenant-Governor
and Council of the North-
West Territories to see if a wise law can be passed, one that
will be a living law that can be carried out and obeyed. If
such a law be passed it will be printed in Cree as well as in
English and French ; but what the law will be I cannot tell—
you held councils over the treaty, you did not know before the
councils closed what you would decide as to the treaty—no
more can I tell what the North-West Council will decide."
A request was then made that the treaty should include the
Half-breeds, to which the Governor replied : " I have explained
to the other Indians that the Commissioners did not come to
the Half-breeds : there were however a certain class of Indian
Half-breeds who had always lived in the camp with the Indians
and were in fact Indians, would be recognized, but no others."
The Chiefs and head men then signed the treaty in the presence of witnesses, the medals
and flags were distributed, payments and distribution of clothing proceeded with and
finished,
and the conference came to an end.
The Lieutenant-Governor and party started from Carlton
House on the 3lst of August at noon, for Fort Pitt, and when
within about six miles of that post came up with a detachment
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 229
of Mounted Police under Inspectors Jarvis and Walker, who
escorted them to the fort, arriving on the day appointed (5th
September) at an early hour.
There were already assembled near the fort and on the banks
of the Saskatchewan over one hundred lodges, and as more
were immediately expected they requested postponement of negotiations until the 7th
September.
On the morning of the 6th, Sweet Grass, one of the oldest
and most respected of the Cree Chiefs, with about thirty of his
chief men, who had left their hunt and come in to Fort Pitt
purposefully to attend the treaty negotiations, called on the Governor to express
their satisfaction at his coming and their pleasure in seeing him; the greeting which
was certainly affectionate,
consisted in the embrace of both arms about the neck and a
fraternal kiss on either cheek ; after a short conversation the
Governor told them he expected them to be ready to meet him
at his tent in the morning, time was rapidly passing and he
had a long journey yet before him ; he trusted their Councils
would be wise and the results would be beneficial to them.
The Hon. Jas. McKay arrived from Battle River in the
evening, and reported that he had met there a number of
Indians, principally Saulteaux, who had been in camp at that
place for [?]. They said there had been about seventy
lodges altogether but as the buffalo were coming near, the
poorer ones had started out to hunt, leaving only about ten
lodges there. The remaining ones expressed good feeling and
said they would like to have waited until the time appointed
(September 15th) to meet the Governor and take the treaty,
yet as the buffalo hunt was of so much importance to them they
could not afford to lose the time, knowing that the Governor
had to go Fort Pitt and return before they could see him,
consequently the whole band went out to the plains. This
band was composed, it was afterwards ascertained, of the
Saulteaux of Jack Fish Lake and of some Crees under the Yellow Sky Chief, and were
favorably disposed though unable to
remain. They numbered in all sixty-seven tents.
230 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
September 7th.
At ten in the morning the Governor and Commissioners,
escorted by the Mounted Police, proceeded to the treaty tent
a short distance from the fort. About eleven o'clock the
Indians commenced to gather, as at Carlton, in a large semicircle. In front were the
young men, galloping about on their
horses, then the Chiefs and head men, followed by the main
body of the band to the number of two or three hundred. As
they approached the manoeuvres of the horsemen became more
and more excited and daring, racing [?] about so rapidly as
to be barely distinguishable; unfortunately, from some mischance, two horses and their
riders came into collision with such
tremendous force as to throw both horses and men violently to
the ground; both horses were severely injured and one of the
Indians had his hip put out of joint; fortunately, Dr. Kittson
of the police, was near by and speedily gave relief to the poor
sufferer. The ceremonies, however, still went on; four pipe-
stems were carried about and presented to be stroked in token
of good feeling and amity (during this performance the band
of the Mounted Policd played "God save the Queen), blessings invoked on the whole
gathering, the dances performed by
the various bands and finally the pipes of peace smoked by
the Governor and Commissioners in turn. The stems, which
were finely decorated, were placed with great solemnity on the
table in front of the Governor, to be covered for the bearers
with blue cloth.
The Chiefs and head men now seated themselves in front of
the tent, when the Governor addressed them :
"Indians of the plains, Crees, Chippewayans, Assiniboines
and Chippewas, my message is to all. I am here to-day as
your Governor under the Queen. The Crees for many days
have sent word that they wanted to see some one face to face.
The Crees are the principal tribe of the plain Indians, and it is
for me a pleasant duty to be here to-day and receive the
welcome I have from them. I am here because the Queen
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 231
and her Councillors have the good of the Indian at heart, because you are the Queen's
children and we must think of you
for to-day and to-morrow; the condition of the Indians and
their future has given the Queen's Councillors much anxiety.
In the old provinces of Canada from which I came we have
many Indians, they are growing in numbers and are as a rule
happy and prosperous; for a hundred years red and white
hands have been clasped together in peace. The instructions
of the Queen are to treat the Indians as brothers, and so we
ought to be. The Great Spirit made this earth we are on. He
planted the trees and made the rivers flow for the good of all
his people, white and red; the country is very wide and there
is room for all. It is six years since the Queen took back into
her own hands the government of her subjects, red and white,
in this country; it was thought her Indian children would be
better cared for in her own hand. This is the seventh time
in the last five years that her Indian children have been
called together for this purpose; this is the fourth time that
I have met my Indian brothers, and standing here on this
bright day with the sun above us, I cast my eyes to the East
down to the great lakes and I see a broad road leading from
there to the Red River, I see it stretching on to Ellice, I
see it branching there, the one to Qu'Appelle and Cypress Hills,
the other by Pelly to Carlton; it is a wide and plain trail.
Anyone can see it, and on that road, taking for the Queen, the
hand of the Governor and Commissioners I see all the Indians.
I see the Queen's Councillors taking the Indian by the hand
saying we are brothers, we will lift you up, we will teach you,
if you will learn, the cunning of the white man. All along
that road I see Indians gathering. I see gardens growing and
houses building; I see them receiving money from the Queen's
Commissioners to purchase clothing for their children; at the
same time I see them enjoying their hunting and fishing as
before, I see them retaining their old mode of living with the
Queen's gift in addition.
The Treaties of Canada with the Indians. 231
"I met the Crees at Carlton, they heard my words there,
they read my face, and through that my heart, and said my
words were true, and they took my hand on behalf of the
Queen. What they did I wish you to do; I wish you to travel
on the road I have spoken of, a road I see stretching out broad
and plain to the Rocky Mountains. I know you have been
told many stories, some of them not true; do not listen to the
bad voices of men who have their own ends to serve, listen
rather to those who have only your good at heart. I have
come a long way to meet you; last year I sent you a message
that you would be met this year, and I do not forget my
promises.
"I went to Ottawa, where the Queen's Councillors have their
council chamber, to talk, amongst other things, about you.
"I have come seven hundred miles to see you. Why should
I take all this trouble? For two reasons, first, the duty was
put upon me as one of the Queen's Councillors, to see you with
my brother Commissioners, Hon. W. J. Christie and Hon.
Jas. McKay. The other reason is a personal one, because
since I was a young man my heart was warm to the Indians,
and I have taken a great interest in them 5 for more than
twenty-five years I have studied their condition in the present
and in the future. I have been many years in public life, but
the first words I spoke in public were for the Indians, and in
that vision of the day I saw the Queen's white men understanding their duty; I saw
them understanding that they had
no right to wrap themselves up in a cold mantle of selfishness,
that they had no right to turn away and say, 'Am I my
brother's keeper ?' On the contrary, I saw them saying, the
Indians are our brothers, we must try to help them to make a
living for themselves and their children. I tell you, you must
think of those who will come after you. As I came here I saw
tracks leading to the lakes and water-courses, once well beaten,
now grown over with grass; I saw bones bleaching by the
wayside; I saw the places where the buffalo had been, and I
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 233
thought what will become of the Indian. I said to myself, we
must teach the children to prepare for the future; if we do
not, but a few suns will pass and they will melt away like
snow before the sun in spring-time. You know my words are
true; you see for yourselves and know that your numbers are
lessening every year. Now the whole burden of my message
from the Queen is that we wish to help you in the days that
are to come, we do not want to take away the means of living
that you have now, we do not want to tie you down; we want
you to have homes of your own where your children can be
taught to raise for themselves food from the mother earth.
You may not all be ready for that, but some, I have no doubt,
are, and in a short time others will follow. I am here to talk
plainly, I have nothing to hide; I am here to tell you what we
are ready to do. Your tribe is not all here at the present time,
some of the principal Chiefs are absent, this cannot be avoided,
the country is wide and when the buffalo come near you must
follow them; this does not matter, for what I have to give is
for the absent as well as for the present. Next year if the
treaty is made, a Commissioner will be sent to you, and you will
be notified of the times and places of meeting, so that you will
not have long journeys; after that, two or three servants of the
Queen will be appointed to live in the country to look after
the Indians, and see that the terms of the treaty are carried
out.
"I have not yet given you my message. I know you have
heard what your brothers did at Carlton, and I expect you to
do the same here, for if you do not you will be the first Indians
who refused to take my hand. At Carlton I had a slight difficulty; one of the Chiefs
dreamt that instead of making the
treaty at the camp of the great body of the Indians, I made it
at his, and so his people stood aside. I was sorry for him and
his people. I did not wish to go and leave them out. I sent
him word after I had made the treaty, and brought him in
with the others. When I went to North-VVest Angle I met
234 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
the Chippewa nation; they were not all present, but the absent
ones were seen the next year. I told them the message from
the Queen, and what she wished to do for them; in all four
thousand Indians accepted the Treaty, and now, I am glad to say,
many of them have homes and gardens of their own. The next
year I went to Qu'Appelle and saw the Crees and Chippewas,
and there five thousand understood us and took our hands.
Last summer I went with Mr. McKay to Lake Winnipeg, and
there all the Swampy Crees accepted the Queen's terms. Now
I have stroked the pipe with your brothers at Carlton as with
you.
"Three years ago a party of Assiniboines were shot by
American traders; men, women and children were killed; we
reported the affair to Ottawa; we said the time has come when
you must send the red-coated servantsof the Queen to the
North-West to protect the Indian from fire-water, from being
shot down by men who know no law, to preserve peace between
the Indians, to punish all who break the law, to prevent whites
from doing wrong to Indians, and they are here today to do
honor to the office which I hold. Our Indian Chiefs wear
red coats, and wherever they meet the police they will know
they meet friends. I know that you have been told that if
war came you would be put in the front, this is not so. Your
brothers at Carlton asked me that they might not be forced to
fight, and .I. tell you, as I assured them, you will never be asked
to fight against your will; and I trust the time will never
come of war between the Queen and the great country near us.
"Again, I say, all we seek is your good; I speak openly, as
brother to brother, as a father to his children, and I would
give you a last advice, hear my words, come and join the
great band of Indians who are walking hand-in-hand with us
on the road I spoke of when I began—a road, I believe in my
heart, will lead the Indian on to a much more comfortable
state than he is in now. My words, when they are accepted,
are written down, and they last, as I have said to the others, as
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 235
long as the sun shines and the river runs. I expect you are
prepared for the message I have to deliver, and I will wait to
see if any of the Chiefs wish to speak before I go further."
Sweet Grass, the principal Cree Chief, rose, and taking the
Governor by the hand, said, "We have heard what the
Governor has said, and now the Indians want to hear the terms
of the treaty, after which they will all shake hands with the
Governor and Commissioners, we then want to go to our camp
to meet in council."
The Governor then very carefully and distinctly explained
the terms and promises of the treaty as made at Carlton; this
was received by the Indians with loud assenting exclamations.
On the 8th the Indians sent a message that they required
further time for deliberation, and the meeting was put off until
the 9th.
On the morning of the 9th the Indians were slow in gathering, as they wished to settle
all difliculties and misunderstandings amongst themselves before coming to the treaty
tent, this
was apparently accomplished about eleven a.m., when the whole
body approached and seated themselves in good order, when
the
Governor said :—
" Indian children of the Great Queen, we meet again on a
bright day; you heard many words from me the other day; I
delivered you my message from the Queen; I held out my hand in
the Queen's name, full of her bounty. You asked time to consult
together; I gave it to you very gladly, because I did not come
here to surprise you. I trust the Great Spirit has put good
thoughts into your hearts, and your wise men have found my
words good. I am now ready to hear whether you are prepared to do as the great body
of the Indian people have
done; it is now for the Indians to speak through those whom
they may choose; my heart is warm to you, and my ears are
open."
Ku-ye-win (The Eagle) addressed the Indians, telling them
not to be afraid, that the Governor was to them as a brother;
236 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
that what the Queen wished to establish through him was for
their good, and if any of them wished to speak to do so.
After waiting some time the Governor said, "I had hoped
the Indians would have taken me at my word, and taken me
as a brother and a friend. True, I am the Queen's Governor;
that I am here to-day shows me to be your friend. Why can
you not open your hearts to me? I have met many Indians
before, but this is the first time I have had all the talking to
do myself. Now, cast everything behind your backs, and
speak to me face to face. I have offered as we have done to
the other Indians. Tell me now whether you will take my
hand and accept it; there is nothing to be ashamed of, nothing
to be afraid of; think of the good of your children and your
children's children. Stand up now like wise men and tell me
if you will take what I offered. I cannot believe it to be
possible that you would throw my hand back. Speak and do
not be afraid or ashamed.
WEE-KAS-KOO-KEE-SAY-YIN (Sweet Grass)—" I thank you for
this day, and also I thank you for what I have seen and
heard, I also thank the Queen for sending you to act for our
good. I am glad to have a brother and friend in you, which
undoubtedly will raise us above our present condition. I am
glad for your offers, and thank you from my heart. I speak
this in the presence of the Divine Being. It is all for our
good, I see nothing to be afraid of, I therefore accept of it
gladly and take your hand to my heart, may this continue as
long as this earth stands and the river flows. The Great King,
our Father, is now looking upon us this day, He regards all
the people equal with one another; He has mercy on the whole
earth; He has opened a new world to us. I have pity on all
those who have to live by the buffalo. If I am spared until
this time next year I want this my brother to commence to act
for me, thinking thereby that the buffalo may be protected.
It is for that reason I give you my hand. If spared, I shall
commence at once to clear a small piece of land for myself,
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 237
and others of my kinsmen will do the same. We will commence hand in hand to protect
the buffalo. When I hold
your hand I feel as if the Great Father were looking on us
both as brothers. I am thankful. May this earth here never
see the white man's blood spilt on it. I thank God that we
stand together, that you all see us; I am thankful that I can
raise up my head, and the white man and red man can stand
together as long as the sun shines. When I hold your hands
and touch your heart, as I do now (suiting his action to the
words), let us be as one. Use your utmost to help me and
help my children, so that they may prosper."
The Chief's remarks were assented to by the Indians by
loud ejaculations.
GOVERNOR—"I rise with a glad heart; we have come
together and understood each other. I am glad that you have
seen the right way. I am glad you have accepted so unanimously the offer made. I will
tell the Queen's Councillors
what good hearts their Indian children have; I will tell them
that they think of the good of their children's children.
"I feel that we have done to-day a good work; the years will
pass away and we with them, but the work we have done
to-day will stand as the hills. What we have said and done
has been written down; my promises at Carlton have been
written down and cannot be rubbed out, so there can be no
mistake about what is agreed upon. I will now have the
terms of the treaty fully read and explained to you, and before
I go away I will leave a copy with your principal Chief.
"After I and the Commissioners, for the Queen, have signed
the treaty, I will call upon your Chief and Councillors to do
the same; and before the payments are made by Mr. Christie,
I will give the Chiefs the medals of the Queen and their flags.
"Some of your Chiefs and people are away; next year we
will send men near to where their bands live, notice will be
given, and those who are away now will receive the present of
money we are going to give you, the same as if they had been
238 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
here, and when you go back to the plains I ask you to tell your
brothers what we have done."
The Governor and Commissioners then signed the treaty on
the part of the Queen, and nine Chiefs and as many of their
Councillors as were with them signed on behalf of the Indians.
James Seenum, Chief of White Fish Lake Crees, said that
when he commenced to cultivate the soil some years ago, Mr.
Christie, then chief factor of the Hudson Bay Company, gave
him a plough that he had used but it was now broken. When
he commenced he and his brothers drew the plough themselves,
and they pulled up roots and used them for hoes. Mr.
Christie also gave me a pit-saw and a grindstone, and I am
using them yet. I feel my heart sore in the spring when my
children want to plough—when they have no implements to
use, that is why I am asking them now to have them sent as
soon as possible. By following what I have been taught I
find it helps me a great deal.
THE LITTLE HUNTER—" I am here alone just now; if I am
spared to see next spring, then I will select my Councillors,
those thta I think worthy I will choose. I am glad from my
very heart. I feel in taking the Governor's hand as if I was
taking the Queen's. When I hear her words that she is
going to put to rights this country, it is the help of God that
has put it in her heart to come to our assistance. In sending
her bounty to us I wish an everlasting grasp of her hand, as
long as the sun moves and the river flows. I am glad that the
truth and all good things have been opened to us. I am
thankful for the children for they will prosper. All the
children who are sitting here hope that the Great Spirit will
look down upon us as one."
SEE-KAHS-KOOTCH (The Cut Arm)—"I am glad of the goodness of the great Queen. I recognize now that
this that I
once dreaded most is coming to my aid and doing for me
what I could not do for myself."
TUS-TUK-EE-SKUAIS—" I am truly glad that the Queen has
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 239
made a new country for me. I am glad that all my friends
and children will not be in want of food hereafter. I am
glad that we have everything which we had before still
extended to us."
PEE-QUAY-SIS—" I need not say anything; I have been well
pleased with all that I have heard, and I need not speak as we
are all agreed."
KIN-OO-SAY-OO (The Fish), Chief of the Chippewayans—"I
shake hands with the Queen, and I am glad for what she is
doing and what she is to do for us. If I could have used my
own language I would then be able to say more."
The Governor then called on Sweet Grass and placed the
Queen's medal around his neck, the band of the Police playing
"God save the Queen." The rest of the Chiefs' medals, flags
and uniforms were given as soon as possible, and Mr. Christie
proceeded to make the payments and distribute the presents.
September 13th.
The Chiefs and head men came to pay their respects to the
Commissioners in the morning, at Fort Pitt.
SWEET GRASS—" We are all glad to see you here, and we
have come to say good-bye before you leave."
THE BIG BEAR—"I find it difficult to express myself, because some of the bands are not represented.
I have come off
to speak for the different bands that are out on the plains. It
is no small matter we were to consult about. I expected the
Chiefs here would have waited until I arrived. The different
bands that are out on the plains told me that I should speak in
their stead ; the Stony Indians as well. The people who have
not come, stand as a barrier before what I would have had to
say ; my mode of living is hard."
SWEET GRASS, to Big Bear—" My friend, you see the representative of the Queen here, who do you
suppose is the maker
of it. I think the Great Spirit put it into their hearts to
240 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
come to our help ; I feel as if I saw life when I see the representative of the Queen
; let nothing be a barrier between you
and him ; it is through great difficulty this has been brought to
us. Think of our children and those to come after, there is
life and succor for them ; say yes and take his hand."
BIG BEAR—" Stop, stop, my friends, I have never seen the
Governor before ; I have seen Mr. Christie many times. I
heard the Governor was to come and I said I shall see him ;
when I see him I will make a request that he will save me
from what I most dread, that is : the rope to be about my neck
(hanging), it was not given to us by the Great Spirit that the
red man or white man should shed each other's blood."
GOVERNOR—" It was given us by the Great Spirit, man
should not shed his brother's blood, and it was spoken to us
that he who shed his brother's blood, should have his own spilt.
" No good Indian has the rope about his neck. If a white
man, killed an Indian, not in self defence, the rope would be
put around his neck. He saw red-coats, they were here to protect Indians and whites.
"If a man tried to kill you, you have a right to defend ; but
no man has a right to kill another in cold blood, and we will
do all we can to punish such. The good Indian need never be
afraid; their lives will be safer than ever before. Look at the
condition of the Blackfeet. Before the red-coats went, the
Americans were taking their furs and robes and giving them
whiskey—we stopped it, they have been able to buy back two
thousand horses—before that, robes would have gone to Americans for whiskey."
BIG BEAR—"What we want is that we should hear what
will make our hearts glad, and all good peoples' hearts glad.
There were plenty things left undone, and it does not look well
to leave them so."
GOVERNOR—" I do not know what has been left undone!"
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 241
BIG BEAR said he would like to see his people before he acted.
" I have told you what I wish, that there be no hanging."
GOVERNOR—" What you ask will not be granted, why are
you so anxious about bad men?
"The Queen's law punishes murder with death, and your
request cannot be granted."
BIG BEAR—" Then these Chiefs will help us to protect the
buffalo, that there may be enough for all. I have heard what
has been said, and I am glad we are to be helped ; but why do
these men not speak ?"
GOVERNOR—" I wish the Bear to tell Short Tail and See-yah-
kee-maht, the other Chiefs, what has been done, and that it is
for them, as if they had been here. Next year they and their
people can join the treaty and they will lose nothing. I wish
you to understand fully about two questions, and tell the
others. The North-West Council is considering the framing
of a law to protect the buffaloes, and when they make it, they
will expect the Indians to obey it. The Government will not
interfere with the Indian's daily life, they will not bind him.
They will only help him to make a living on the reserves, by
giving him the means of growing from the soil, his food. The
only occasion when help would be given, would be if Providence
should send a great famine or pestilence upon the whole Indian
people included in the treaty. We only looked at something
unforseen and not at hard winters or the hardships of single
bands, and this, both you and I, fully understood.
" And now I have done, I am going away. The country is
large, another Governor will be sent in my place ; I trust you
will receive him as you have done me, and give him your confidence. He will live amongst
you. Indians of the plains, I bid
you farewell. I never expect to see you again, face to face. I
rejoice that you listened to me, and when I go back to my home
242 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
beyond the great lakes, I will often think of you and will rejoice to hear of your
prosperity. I ask God to bless you and
your children. Farewell."
The Indians responded by loud ejaculations of satisfaction,
and the Chiefs and Councillors, commencing with Sweet Grass,
each shook hands with the Governor, and addressed him in
words of parting, elevating his hand, as they grasped it, to
heaven, and invoking the blessings of the Great Spirit.
The Bear remained sitting until all had said good-bye to the
Governor, and then he rose and taking his hand, said, " I am
glad to meet you, I am alone ; but if I had known the time, I
would have been here with all my people. I am not an undutiful child, I do not throw
back your hand ; but as my
people are not here, I do not sign. I will tell them what I have
heard, and next year I will come." About an hour afterwards
the Big Bear came to the Fort Pitt House to see the Governor,
and again repeated that he accepted the treaty as if he had
signed it, and would come next year, with all his people, to
meet the Commissioners and accept it.
The Governor and party left Fort Pitt for Battle River, on
the 13th at one o'clock, and arrived there on the 15th. There
were no Indians there, except the Red Pheasant's band, who
had been treated with at Battle River.
On the 16th the Red Pheasant and his Councillors came to
see the Governor and the Commissioners, with the following
result :
THE RED PHEASANT—" I am a Battle River Indian, and I
have chosen this place before, and I am glad to see the Government here too, as I
know there is a chance of living. I want
the Half-breed claims at Battle River to be respected, and I do
not wish to turn out any white man ; but I wish to return to
my former mode of life.
" Ever since my grandfather lived at Battle River, it has
been my home. Our houses were swept off by a flood two
years ago, and after that we repaired some old houses that
The Treaties at Forts Carlton and Pitt. 243
were built by outsiders (other Indians), and we had fenced in
the buildings ; but a short time ago some Canadians arrived,
knocked down the fences, and built inside the enclosure."
WAH-TAH-NEE—" We had chosen a point about a mile from
the spot where we are now speaking, and got out logs for
fences and houses, and when we returned from the plains we
found they had all been taken away. There are now twenty
families, and ten more to come in from the plains.
" We wish to be remembered to the Queen, and we are
thankful to see the Queen's soldiers coming to make their homes
on the land that we have been brought up on. I hope that
the Queen will look upon our poverty when she hears that we
are poor Indians and have welcomed her people to live amongst
us. This is my country where I have lived. I want to make
way for the Queen's men, and I ask her in return to keep me
from want. Next spring I want to plant here, wherever I can
get a piece of ground. By that time I may have selected a
spot for my reserve. The reason I want to select my reserve
is, that I do not want to be cramped up by settlers. In the
meantime I do not want any white men to settle on the Eagle
Hills.
" When I see that we are numerous, it will be the Eagle
Hills I will select as our reserve, although I am very reluctant to leave the place
I have been brought up on. If I see
that we are not likely to be numerous, I may select some other
place across the Saskatchewan River. This man, Peter Ballendine, knows that it is
not because settlers are coming here
that we speak of this place, Battle River, but because we were
here from of old." I wish that the Governor should give us
some advice to think over during the winter."
GOVERNOR—" I am glad to give you a word of advice. Next
summer, Commissioners will come to make payments here, so
that you may not have so far to go, and also that other Indians
we have not seen, should come here also, to whom it may be
convenient, and I hope that then you will be able to talk with
244 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
them where you want your reserve. I will speak to you
frankly, as if I was talking to my own children ; the sooner
you select a place for your reserve the better, so that you can
have the animals and agricultural implements promised to you,
and so that you may have the increase from the animals, and
the tools to help you build houses, &c. When you are away
hunting and fishing, the heat of the sun and the rain is making
your crops to grow. I think you are showing wisdom in taking
a place away from here, although it has been your home. It
is better for the Indian to be away a little piece from the white
man. You will be near enough to bring your furs to a good
market, and by and by I hope you will have more potatoes
than you require, and have some to dispose of. I am very
anxious that you should think over this, and be able to tell the
Commissioner next year where you want your reserve.
" I have asked Mr. Fuller to let you have three acres of land
to plant your potatoes next spring, and he has replied that he
will be very happy to let you do so, and to plough it for you
as well, in the field he has enclosed.
"I am much pleased with the conduct of the Battle River
Crees, and will report it to the Queen's Councillors. I hope
you will be prosperous and happy."
This closed the interview.
The Commissioners left Battle River on the 19th of September. The Lieutenant-Governor
arrived at Fort Garry on
the 6th of October.
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