Assembly Chamber, Upper Fort Garry
Tuesday, April 26, 1870
[...]
Hon. Mr. Bunn said — [...] With reference to this invitation of the President calling for an expression
of views entertained in any parish in regard to public questions, I have a few remarks
to make with regard to the proposed four-mile grant of land. I have heard that the
Indians in my neighborhood are discontented with this projected land grant, and are
talking of putting in certain claims which will, I think, interfere very much with
the object we contemplate and ought to cause us to hesitate before pushing this matter
farther. The Indians have got the idea that we are going to interfere with their special
rights as Indians and that, without extinguishing their title we are going to appropriate
their land. This is what they think with regard to the conversion of the two-mile
hay privilege into absolute ownership. But, apart from this, they have declared their
intention not to part with all their land. There is a certain portion of this country
concerning which, I have been informed, they will enter into no treaty. This section
is described to me as starting from the Indian Reserve, three or four miles below
the Stone Fort, and going westward to where a line running due west would reach the
Manitobah Lake — from thence to the Little Saskatchewan,— following that river to
Lake Winnipeg — across the Lake to the east shore — along this line to White Mud River
— and thence to the starting point (hear, hear). The portion of this with which we
have particularly to do, is that in which some of our people have settled. Perhaps
Mr. Sinclair of St. Peters could give us some information on the subject. The Indians
claim that they will not treat for this land, but I think they have done so. I believe
that this question of the hay privilege and interference with Indian rights is one
in which we ought to exercise a great deal of caution. When we come to deal with the
hay privilege particularly, I will have more to say on the subject.
Hon. Mr. Sinclair (St. Peter's) — As to this matter of the hay privilege,
there can be little question with us; for the Indian Settlement, so called, has always
been looked upon as an Indian reserve. There is a Chief of this reserve. There are,
I
believe, many Christian Indians, more especially Swampies, who are agreeable to have
this hay privilege changed into ownership. But there are more opposed to it — and
their
influence is heavier in the scale. Their cry is, let us keep still. Let the Indian
Settlement be as formerly (hear, hear).
Hon. Mr. Bunn — I thought you might know something of the camp of Indians
who do not usually belong to the Indian Settlement, but are now there.
Hon. Mr. Sinclair — There are Indians down there belonging to the Upper Settlement, and the views they
hold are similar to the majority of the Indians below.
After some debate,
The President said — What we have just heard on this subject admonishes us
to be cautious. During the last session I had the honor to address this Chamber on
the
subject just alluded to, and though a report was published of the proceedings, I did
not
see the remarks I have spoken of. I recommended then that this question should be
dealt
with, wisely, cautiously; and I still say that if it is brought before this House
as it
ought to be, we may yet pass over the difficulty (hear, hear). This hay privilege
question is before us — it will touch us everywhere — because it touches one of the
most
vital interests in this country — the land question (cheers).
Hon. Mr. Bunn — Unless this question is satisfactorily settled, I believe
the public peace is very likely to be endangered. It is the only question likely to
affect injuriously the public peace, as far as I can see.
The President — If we are going to have war on the hay now, it is better it
should be there than any where else (laughter).
After further debate,
Hon. Mr. Hay — Setting aside this question, I would propose a vote of thanks
to the law committee. The length of their report shows that they have not been idle.
As
they have not completed it, I would suggest that they should be allowed any reasonable
time they might ask to complete their labors.
Hon. Mr. Olone seconded the motion, which was carried, with the
understanding that the committee should work on during the present session, and that
in
the meantime that portion of the report already presented be taken up by the House.
At half-past six o'clock P.M. the House adjourned till eleven o'clock next forenoon,
on motion of
Hon. Mr. Bunn.
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