CHAPTER V.
TREATY NUMBER THREE, OR THE NORTH-WEST ANGLE TREATY.
IN the year 1871 the Privy Council of Canada issued a joint
commission to Messrs. W. M. Simpson, S. J. Dawson and
W. J. Pether, authorizing them to treat with the Ojibbeway
Indians for the surrender to the Crown of the lands they inhabited—covering the area
from the watershed of Lake Superior
to the north-west angle of the Lake of the Woods, and from the
American border to the height of land from which the streams
flow towards the Hudson's Bay. This step had become necessary in order to make the
route known as "the Dawson route,"
extending from Prince Arthur's Landing on Lake Superior to
the north-west angle of the Lake of the Woods, which was then
being opened up, "secure for the passage of emigrants and of
the people of the Dominion generally," and also to enable the
Government to throw open for settlement any portion of the
land which might be susceptible of improvement and profitable
occupation. The Commissioners accepted the appointment, and
in July, 1871, met the Indians at Fort Francis.
The tribes preferred claims for right of way through their
country. The Commissioners reported "that they had admitted
these to a limited extent and had made them presents in provisions and clothing and
were also to pay them a small amount
in money, it being fully and distinctly understood by the
Indians that these presents and clothing were accepted by them
as an equivalent for all past claims whatever." The Commissioners having explained
to them fully the intentions of the
Government as to obtaining a surrender of their territorial
rights, and giving in return therefor reserves of land and
The North- West Angle Treaty. 45
annual payments, asked them to consider the proposals calmly
and meet the Commissioners the succeeding summer to
come to an arrangement. In 1872, the Indians were found
not to be ready for the making of a treaty and the subject
was postponed. In the year 1873 a commission was issued
to the Hon. Alexander Morris, then Lieutenant-Governor
of Manitoba and the North-West Territories, Lieut.-Col.
Provencher, who had in the interval been appointed Commissioner of Indian Affairs
in the place of Mr. Simpson, who
had resigned, and Lindsay Russell, Esq., but the latter being
unable to act, Mr. Dawson, now M.P. for Algoma, was appointed Commissioner in his
stead. These Commissioners having accepted the duty confided to them, met the Indians
at the
north-west angle of the Lake of the Woods in the end of September, 1873, and, after
protracted and difficult negotiations,
succeeded in effecting a treaty with them. A copy of the
treaty will be found in the Appendix, and a brief record
 of the utterances of the Indians and of the Commissioners,
which was taken down in short hand by one of the soldiers
of the militia force, is hereto subjoined. This treaty was one of
 great importance, as it not only tranquilized the large Indian
 population affected by it, but eventually shaped the terms of
all the treaties, four, five, six and seven, which have since been
 made with the Indians of the North-West Territories—who
speedily became apprised of the concessions which had been
 granted to the Ojibbeway nation. The closing scenes were
striking and impressive. The chief speaker, Mawe-do-pe-nais,
 thus winding up the conference on the part of the Indians, in his
 final address to the Lieutenant-Governor and his fellow Commissioners :
"Now you see me stand before you all : what has been done
here to-day has been done openly before the Great Spirit and
before the nation, and I hope I may never hear any one say that
this treaty has been done secretly: and now in closing this
council, I take off my glove, and in giving you my hand I
46 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
deliver over my birthright and lands : and in taking your hand
I hold fast all the promises you have made, and I hope they
will last as long as the sun rises and the water flows, as you
have said."
The conference then adjourned, and on re-assembling, after
the treaty had been read and explained, the Commissioners signed
it and the Lieutenant-Governor called on an aged hereditary
Chief, Kee-ta-kay-pi-nais, to sign next. The Chief came forward,
but declined to touch the pen, saying, "I must first have the
money in my hand." The Lieutenant-Governor immediately held
out his hand, and directed the interpreter to say to the chief,
"Take my hand and feel the money in it. If you cannot trust
me for half an hour, do not trust me forever." When this was
repeated by the interpreter, the Chief smiled, took the outstretched hand, and at
once touched the pen, while his max t '
was being made, his last lingering distrust having been effectively dispelled by this
prompt action and reply. The other
Chiefs followed, and then the interpreter was directed to tell
Kee-ta-kay-pi-nais, the Chief, that he would be paid forthwith,
but the Chief at once replied, "Oh no, it is evening now, and
I will wait till to-morrow." The payments were duly made
next day, and so was closed, a treaty, whereby a territory
was enabled to be opened up, of great importance to Canada,
embracing as it does the Pacific Railway route to the North-
West Territories—a wide extent of fertile lands, and, as is
believed, great mineral resources. I now quote the official
despatch of the Lieutenant-Governor, dated the 14th October,
1873, in which will be found, a full narrative of the proceedings, connected with
the treaty, and a statement of the
results thereby effected. I also submit a short-hand report
of the negotiations connected with the treaty.
The North-West Angle Treaty. 47
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
FORT GARRY, October 14th, 1873.
SIR,—I have the honor to enclose copy of a treaty made by myself,
Lieut.-Col. Provencher, Indian agent, and S. J. Dawson, Esq., Commissioner, acting
on behalf of Her Majesty, of the one part, and the Salteaux tribe of Ojibbeway Indians
on the other, at the North-West Angle
of the Lake of the Woods, on the 3rd of October, for the relinquishment of
the Indian title to the tract of land therein described, and embracing
55,000 square miles. In the first place, the holding of the negotiation of the
treaty had been appointed by you to take place at the North-West Angle
before you requested me to take part therein, and Mr. Dawson had obtained
the consent of the Indians to meet there on the 10th of September, but they
afterwards changed their minds, and refused to meet me unless I came to
Fort Francis. I refused to do this, as I felt that the yielding to the demand
of the Indians in this respect, would operate injuriously to the success of the
treaty, and the results proved the correctness of the opinion I had formed.
I therefore sent a special agent (Mr. Pierre Levaillier) to warn them that I
would meet them as arranged at the North-West Angle on the 25th, or not
at all this year, to which they eventually agreed.
I left here for the Angle on the 23rd September, and arrived there on the
25th, when I was joined by Messrs. Provencher and Dawson, the last named
of whom I was glad to find had been associated with the Commissioners in
consequence of the resignation of Mr. Lindsey Russell, thereby giving us
the benefit as well of his knowledge of the country to be dealt with, as of the
several bands of Indians therein. Mr. Pether, of Fort Francis, was also in
attendance, and Mr. Provencher was accompanied by Mr. St. John, of his
department.
On arriving, the Indians, who were already there, came up to the house I
occupied, in procession, headed by braves bearing a banner and a Union Jack,
and accompanied by others beating drums. They asked leave to perform a
dance in my honor, after which they presented to me the pipe of peace.
They were then supplied with provisions and returned to their camp. As
the Indians had not all arrived, and for other reasons, the 26th, 27th and
28th were passed without any progress, but on the 29th I sent them word
that they must meet the Commissioners next morning. Accordingly, on the
the 30th, they met us in a tent, the use of which I had obtained from the
military authorities. I explained to them the object of the meeting, but as
they informed me that they were not ready to confer with us, I adjourned
the meeting until next day. On the lst October they again assembled.
The principal cause of the delay was divisions and jealousies among
themselves. The nation had not met for many years, and some of them had
never before been assembled together. They were very jealous of each other,
and dreaded any of the Chiefs having individual communications with me,
48 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
to prevent which they had guards on the approaches to my house and Mr.
Dawson's tent. On the 2nd October they again assembled, when I again
explained the object of the meeting, through Mr. McPherson, an intelligent
half-breed trader, whose services I secured. M. Chatelan, the Government
interpreter, was also present. They had selected three spokesmen, and had
also an Indian reporter, whose duty was to commit to memory all that was
said. They had also secured the services of M. Joseph Nolin, of Point du
Chene, to take notes in French of the negotiations, a copy of which notes I
obtained from him and herewith enclose. The spokesmen informed me they
would not treat as to the land until we settled with them as to the Dawson
route, with regard to which they alleged Mr. Dawson had made promises
which had not been kept, and that they had not been paid for the wood used
in building the steamers, nor for the use of the route itself. Mr. Dawson
explained that he had paid them for cutting wood, but had always asserted
a common right to the use of wood and the water way. He asked them
what promise had not been kept, and pointed out that the Government had
twice before endeavored to treat with them for a settlement of all matters.
He referred them to me as to the general question of the use of the route.
They were unable to name any promises which had not been kept. Thereupon
I told them I came on behalf of the Queen and the Government of the
Dominion of Canada to treat with them with regard to the lands and all
other matters, but that they refused to hear what I had to say ; they had
closed my mouth ; and as we would not treat except for the settlement of all
matters past and future I could not speak unless they asked me to do so.
They conferred among themselves, and seeing that we were quite firm, the
spokesman came forward and said that they would not close my mouth, after
which they would make their demands. The Commissioners had had a
conference and agreed, as they found there was no hope of a treaty for a less
sum, to offer five dollars per head, a present of ten dollars, and reserves of
farming and other lands not exceeding one square mile per family of five, or
in that proportion, sums within the limits of our instructions, though I had
private advices if possible not to give the maximum sum named, as the
Government had been under a misapprehension as to amounts given to the
bands in the United States. The Chiefs heard my proposal, and the meeting
adjourned until next day. On the 3rd October the Chiefs again assembled
and made a counter proposition, of which I enclose a copy, being the demand
they have urged since 1869. I also enclose an estimate I had made of the
money value of the demand, amounting to $125,000 per annum. On behalf
of the Commissioners I at once peremptorily refused the demand. The
spokesmen returned to the Chiefs, who were arranged on benches, the people
sitting on the ground behind them, and on their return they informed me
that the Chiefs, warriors and braves were of one mind, that they would
make a treaty only if we acceded to their demand. I told them if so the
conference was over, that I would return and report that they had refused
to make a reasonable treaty, that hereafter I would treat with those bands
The North-West Angle Treaty. 49
who were willing to treat, but that I would advise them to return to the
council and reconsider their determination before next morning, when, if
not, I should certainly leave. This brought matters to a crisis. The
Chief
of the Lac Seul band came forward to speak. The others tried to prevent
him, but he was secured a hearing. He stated that he represented four
hundred people in the north ; that they wished a treaty ; that they wished a
school-master to be sent them to teach their children the knowledge of the
white man ; that they had begun to cultivate the soil and were growing
potatoes and Indian corn, but wished other grain for seed and some
agricultural implements and cattle. This Chief spoke under evident
apprehension as to the course he was taking in resisting the other Indians,
and displayed much good sense and moral courage. He was followed by the
Chief "Blackstone," who urged the other Chiefs to return to the council and
consider my proposals, stating that he was ready to treat, though he did not
agree to my proposals nor to those made to me. I then told them that I had
known all along they were not united as they had said ; that they ought not
to allow a few Chiefs to prevent a treaty, and that I wished to treat with
them as a nation and not with separate bands, as they would otherwise
compel me to do ; and therefore urged them to return to their council,
promising to remain another day to give them time for consideration. They
spent the night in council, and next morning having received a message
from M. Charles Nolin, a French half-breed, that they were becoming more
amenable to reason, I requested the Hon. James McKay (who went to the
Angle three times to promote this treaty), Charles Nolin and Pierre Levaillier
to go down to the Indian Council, and as men of their own blood, give them
friendly advice. They accordingly did so, and were received by the Indians,
and in about half an hour afterwards were followed by Messrs. Provencher
and St. John, who also took part in the interview with the Council of Chiefs.
The Chiefs were summoned to the conference by the sound of a bugle and
again met us, when they told me that the determination to adhere to their
demand had been so strong a bond that they did not think it could be
broken, but they had now determined to see if I would give them anything
more.
The Commissioners had had a conference, and agreed previously to offer
a small sum for ammunition and twine for nets, yearly—a few agricultural
implements and seeds, for any band actually farming or commencing to
farm, and to increase the money payment by two dollars per head if it should
be found necessary in order to secure a treaty, maintaining a permanent
annuities at the sum fixed. The Indians on the other hand had determined
on asking fifteen dollars, with some other demands. In fixing the ten
dollars the Commissioners had done so as a sum likely to be accepted in view
of three dollars per head having been paid the Indians the first year the
Dawson route was used, and that they had received nothing since. In reply
to the Indians, I told them I was glad that they had reconsidered their
decision, and that as they had done so, being desirous of inducing them to
50 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
practice agriculture and to have the means of getting food if their fishing and
hunting failed, we would give them certain implements, cattle and grain,
once for all, and the extra two dollars per head of a money payment. This
proposal was received favorably, but the spokesmen again came forward and
said they had some questions to ask before accepting my proposal. They
wanted suits of clothing every year for all the bands, and fifty dollars for
every Chief annually. This I declined, but told them that there were some
presents of clothing and food which would be given them this year at the
close of treaty. They then asked free passes forever over the Canada Pacific
Railway, which I refused. They then asked that no " fire-water " should be
sold on their reserves, and I promised that a regulation to this effect should
he introduced into the treaty. They then asked that they should not be sent
to war, and I told them the Queen was not in the hahit of employing the
Indians in warfare. They asked that they should have power to put turbulent men off
their reserves, and I told them the law would be enforced against
such men. They asked what reserves would be given them, and were
informed by Mr. Provencher that reserves of farming and other lands would
be given them as previously stated, and that any land actually in cultivation
by them would be respected. They asked if the mines would be theirs ; I
said if they were found on their reserves it would he to their benefit, but not
otherwise. They asked if an Indian found a mine would he be paid for it,
I told them he could sell his information if he could find a purchaser like
any other person. They explained that some of their children had married
in the States, and they wished them to return and live among them, and
wanted them included in the treaty. I told them the treaty was not for
American Indians, but any bona fide British Indians of the class they
mentioned who should within two years be found resident on British soil would
be recognized.
They said there were some ten to twenty families of half-breeds who were
recognized as Indians, and lived with them, and they wished them included.
I said the treaty was not for whites, but I would recommend that those
families should be permitted the. option of taking either status as Indians or
whites, but that they could not take both. They asked that Mr. Charles
Nolin should be employed as an Indian Agent, and I stated that I would
submit his name to the Government with favorable mention of his services
on that occasion. They asked that the Chiefs and head men, as in other
treaties, should get an official suit of clothing, a flag, and a medal, which I
promised. Mawedopenais produced one of the medals given to the Red
River Chiefs, said it was not silver, and they were ashamed to wear it, as it
turned black, and then, with an air of great contempt, struck it with his
knife. I stated that I would mention what he had said, and the manner in
which he had spoken. They also stated the Hudson Bay Company had
staked out ground at Fort Francis, on part of the land they claimed to have
used, and to be entitled to, and I promised that enquiry would be made into
the matter. They apologized for the number of questions put me, which
The North-West Angle Treaty. 51
occupied a space of some hours, and then the principal spokesman, Mawedopenais, came
forward and drew off his gloves, and spoke as follows :
" Now you see me stand before you all. What has been done here to-day,
has been done openly before the Great Spirit, and before the nation, and
I hope that I may never hear any one say that this treaty has been done
secretly. And now, in closing this council, I take off my glove, and in
giving you my hand, I deliver over my birthright, and lands, and in
taking your hand I hold fast all the promises you have made, and I hope
they will last as long as the sun goes round, and the water flows, as you
have said." To which I replied as follows: " I accept your hand, and
with it the lands, and will keep all my promises, in the firm belief that
the treaty now to be signed will bind the red man and the white man
together as friends forever." The conference then adjourned for an hour
to enable the text of the treaty to be completed, in accordance with the
understanding arrived at. At the expiration of that period the conference
was resumed, and after the reading of the treaty, and an explanation of it
in Indian by the Hon. James McKay, it was signed by the Commissioners
and by the several Chiefs, the first signature being that of a very aged
hereditary Chief he next day the Indians were paid by Messrs. Pether
and Graham, of the Department of Public Works ; the latter of whom
kindly offered his services, as Mr. Provencher had to leave to keep another
appointment. The negotiation was a very difficult and trying one, and
required on the part of the Commissioners, great patience and firmness. On
the whole I am of opinion that the issue is a happy one. With the exception
of two bands in the Shebandowan District, whose adhesion was secured in
advance, and the signatures of whose Chiefs Mr. Dawson left to secure, the
Indian title has been extinguished over the vast tract of country comprising
55,000 square miles lying between the upper boundary of the Lake Superior
treaty, and that of the treaty made by Mr. Commissioner Simpson at
Manitoba Post, and embracing within its bounds the Dawson route, the
route of the Canada Pacific Railway, and an extensive lumber and mineral
region.
* It is fortunate, too, that the arrangement has been effected, as the
Indians along the lakes and rivers were dissatisfied at the use of the waters,
which they considered theirs, having been taken without compensation,
so much so indeed that I believe if the treaty had not been made, the
Government would have been compelled to place a force on the line next year.
Before closing this despatch, I have much pleasure in bearing testimony
to the hearty co-operation and efficient aid the Commissioners received from
the Metis who were present at the Angle, and who, with one accord, whether
of French or English origin, used the influence which their relationships to
the Indians gave them, to impress them with the necessity of their entering
into the treaty. I must also express my obligations to the detachment of
52 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
troops under the command of Captain Macdonald, assigned me as an escort,
for their soldierly bearing and excellent conduct while at the Angle. Their
presence was of great value, and had the effect of deterring traders from
bringing articles of illicit trade for sale to the Indians ; and moreover
exercised a moral influence which contributed most materially to the success
of the negotiations. I have further to add, that it was found impossible,
owing to the extent of the country treated for, and the want of knowledge of
the circumstances of each band, to define the reserves to be granted to the
Indians. It was therefore agreed that the reserves should be hereafter
selected by officers of the Government, who should confer with the several
bands, and pay due respect to lands actually cultivated by them. A provision was also
introduced to the effect that any of the reserves, or any
interest in them, might hereafter be sold for the benefit of the Indians by
the Government with their consent. I would suggest that instructions
should be given to Mr. Dawson to select the reserves with all convenient
speed ; and, to prevent complication, I would further suggest that no patents
should be issued, or licenses granted, for mineral or timber lands, or other
lands, until the quescion of the reserves has been first adjusted.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
Attention is called to the ensuing report of the proceedings
connected with the treaty, extracted from the Manitoban newspaper of the 18th October, 1873, published at Winnipeg. The
reports of the speeches therein contained were prepared by a
short-hand reporter and present an accurate view of the course
of the discussions, and a vivid representation of the habits of
Indian thought.
NORTH-WEST ANGLE,
September 30, 1873.
The. Lieutenant-Governor and party, and the other Commissioners appointed to negotiate
a treaty with the Indians,
arrived here on Thursday, 24th inst., having enjoyed delightful weather during the
entire trip from Fort Garry. The
Governor occupies the house of the officer in charge of the H.
B. Post. The grounds around it have been nicely graded and
cleared of brush, and surrounded by rows of evergreens planted
The North-West Angle Treaty. 53
closely, so as to completely screen the house from wind, and at
the same time contribute much to relieve the monotony of the
scenery. Immediately west of this, and likewise enclosed by
walls of evergreens, is the large marquee used as a Council
House, by the contracting parties ; and immediately surrounding it to the north and
west are the tents of the other
officers of the Commission and the officers and men of the
Volunteers on detachment duty.
Situated to the eastward, and extending all along the river
bank, are the tents of the Indians to the number of a hundred,
with here and there the tent of the trader, attracted thither by
the prospect of turning an honest penny by exchanging the
necessaries of Indian life for such amounts of the price of their
heritage as they can be induced to spend.
The natives now assembled here number about 800 all told,
and hail from the places given below. Among them are many
fine physically developed men, who would be considered good
looking were it not for the extravagance with which they besmear their faces with
pigments of all colors.
It was at first thought probable that the serious business of
the meeting would be begun on Friday, but owing to the nonarrival of a large body
of Rainy River and Lac Seul representatives, it was decided to defer it until next
day. Saturday
came, and owing to the arrival of a messenger from the Lac
Seul band asking the Governor to wait for their arrival, proceedings have further
stayed until Monday. But "hope deferred maketh the heart sick ;" so the advent of
Monday
brought nothing but disappointment, and this, coupled with
the disagreeable wet and cold weather that prevailed, made
every one ill at ease if not miserable. The Chiefs were not
ready to treat—they had business of their own to transact,
which must be disposed of before they could see the Governor ;
and so another delay was granted. But Monday did not find
them ready, and they refused to begin negotiations. An intimation from the Governor
that unless they were ready on the
54 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
following day he would leave for home on Wednesday, hurried
them up a little—they did wait on him today, Tuesday, but
only to say they had not yet finished their own business, but
that they would try and be ready to treat on Wednesday.
And so the matter stands at present—if the Indians agree
amongst themselves, the treaty will be opened to-morrow;
otherwise the Governor will strike camp and return to Fort
Garry.
Divisions and local jealousies have taken possession of the
Indian mind. The difficulties are the inability of the Indians
to select a high or principal chief from amongst themselves,
and as to the matter and extent of the demands to be made.
It is many years since these people had a general council, and
in the interval many head men have died, while others have
grown to man's estate, and feel ambitious to take part in the
proceedings. But the fiat has gone forth, that unless a conclusion is arrived at to-morrow
negotiations will be broken off
for this year.
BOUNDARIES OF THE LANDS TO BE CEDED.
Beginning at the North-West Angle eastward, taking in all
the Lake of the Woods, including White Fish Bay, Rat Portage and north to White Dog
in English River; up English
River to Lake Seul, and then south-east to Lake Nepigon; westward to Rainy River and
down it to Lake of the Woods, and
up nearly to Lac des Mille Lacs ; then beginning at the 49th
parallel to White Mouth River, thence down it to the north,
along the eastern boundary of the land ceded in 1871, embracing 55,000 square miles.
In the neighborhood of Lac des mille Lacs and Shebandowan
are several bands, who have sent word that they cannot come
as far as this point, but will accept the terms made at this
treaty and ratify it with any one commissioner who will go
there to meet them.
The whole number of Indians in the territory is estimated at
The North-West Angle Treaty. 55
14,000, and are represented here by Chiefs of the following
bands :
|
1. Northwest Angle.
|
|
2. Rat Portage.
|
|
3. Lake Seul.
|
|
4. White Fish Bay on Lake of the Woods.
|
|
5. Sha-bas-kang, or Grassy Narrows.
|
|
6. Rainy River.
|
|
7. Rainy Lake.
|
|
8. Beyond Kettle Falls, southward.
|
|
9. Eagle Lake.
|
|
10. Nepigon.
|
|
11. Shoal Lake (three miles to the north of this point).
|
NORTH-WEST ANGLE,
October 1, 1873.
The assembled Chiefs met the Governor this morning, as per
agreement, and opened the proceedings of the day by expressing the pleasure they experienced
at meeting the Commissioners
on the present occasion. Promises had many times been made
to them, and, said the speaker, unless they were now fulfilled
they would not consider the broader question of the treaty.
Mr. S. J. Dawson, one of the Commissioners, reciprocated
the expression of pleasure used by the Chiefs through their
spokesman. He had long looked forward to this meeting, when
all matters relating to the past, the present, and the future,
could be disposed of so as to fix permanently the friendly relations between the Indians
and the white men. It was now, he
continued, some years since the white men first came to this
country—they came in the first place at the head of a great
military expedition ; and when that expedition was passing
through the country all the chiefs showed themselves to be true
and loyal subjects—they showed themselves able and willing
to support their Great Mother the Queen. Subsequently, when
56 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
we began to open up the road, we had to call upon the Indians
to assist us in doing so, and they always proved themselves
very happy to help in carrying out our great schemes. He
was, he continued, one of the Commission employed by the
Government to treat with them and devise a scheme whereby
both white men and Indians would be benefitted. We made
to the Indians the proposals we were authorized to make, and
we have carried out these proposals in good faith. This was
three years ago. What we were directed to offer we did offer,
but the Indians thought it was too little, and negotiations were
broken off. Since this I have done what was in my power to
bring about this meeting with new terms, and consider it a very
happy day that you should be assembled to meet the Governor
of the Territory as representative of Her Majesty. He would
explain to them the proposals he had to make. He had lived
long amongst them and would advise them as a friend to take
the opportunity of making arrangements with the Governor.
When we arrange the general matters in question, should you
choose to ask anything, I shall be most happy to explain it, as
I am here all the time.
The Chief in reply said his head men and young men were
of one mind, and determined not to enter upon the treaty until
the promises made in the past were fulfilled, they were tired
of waiting. What the Commissioners called "small matters"
were great to them, and were what they wished to have settled.
The route that had been built through the country proved
this, and the Commissioners promised something which they
now wanted.
This was taking the Commissioners on a new tack, but Mr.
Dawson promptly undertook to answer the objections. He
said all these questions had been discussed before; but if he
had made any promises that remained unfulfilled, he would be
happy to learn their nature. The Chief replied that all the
houses on the line, and all the big boats on the waters, were
theirs, and they wanted to be recompensed for them.
The North—West Angle Treaty. 57
Mr. Dawson continued, saying he was glad they had now
come to a point on which they could deal. The Indians questioned the right of the
Government to take wood for the
steamers. This was a right which the speaker had all along
told them was common to all Her Majesty's subjects. He then
referred them to the Governor if they had anything more to
say on that subject. Wood on which Indians had bestowed
labor was always paid for ; but wood on which we had spent
our own labor was ours.
His Excellency then addressed them at some length. He
understood that they wanted to have the questions in which
they were' interested treated separately. This was not what
he came there for. Wood and water were the gift of the Great
Spirit, and were made alike for the good of both the white man
and red man. Many of his listeners had come a long way, and
he, too, had come a long way, and he wanted all the questions
settled at once, by one treaty. He had a message from the
Queen, but if his mouth was kept shut, the responsibility would
rest on the Indians, and not with him if he were prevented from
delivering it. He had authority to tell them what sum of
money he could give them in hand now, and what he could give
them every year ; but it was for them to open his mouth. He
concluded his remarks, which were forcibly delivered, with an
emphatic "I have said."
The Chief reiterated that he and his young men were determined not to go on with the
treaty until the first question was
disposed of. What was said about the trees and rivers was
quite true, but it was the Indian's country, not the white
man's. Following this the Governor told the Council that
unless they would settle all the matters, the big and little, at
once, he would not talk. He was bound by his Government,
and was of the same mind to treat with them on all questions,
and not on any one separately.
On seeing His Excellency so firm, and feeling that it would
not do to allow any more time to pass without coming to busi58 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.ness the Chief asked the Governor to open his mouth and tell
what propositions he was prepared to make.
His Excellency then said—"I told you I was to make the
treaty on the part of our Great Mother the Queen, and I feel
it will be for your good and your children's. I should have
been very sorry if you had shut my mouth, if I had had to go
home without opening my mouth. I should not have been a
true friend of yours if I had not asked you to open my mouth.
We are all children of the same Great Spirit, and are subject
to the same Queen. I want to settle all matters both of the
past and the present, so that the white and red man will
always be friends. I will give you lands for farms, and also
reserves for your own use. I have authority to make reserves
such as I have described, not exceeding in all a square mile for
every family of five or thereabouts. It may be a long time
before the other lands are wanted, and in the meantime you
will be permitted to fish and hunt over them. I will also
establish schools whenever any band asks for them, so that
your children may have the learning of the white man. I will
also give you a sum of money for yourselves and every one of
your wives and children for this year. I will give you ten
dollars per head of the population, and for every other year
five dollars a-head. But to the chief men, not exceeding two
to each band, we will give twenty dollars a-year for ever. I
will give to each of you this year a present of goods and provisions to take you home,
and I am sure you will be satisfied.
After consultation amongst themselves, the Councillors went
to have a talk about the matter and will meet the Governor tomorrow morning, when
it is expected the bargain will be concluded. Of course. the Indians will make some
other demands.
Immediately after the adjournment as above, the Governor
presented an ox to the people in camp; and the way it disappeared would have astonished
the natives of any other land.
Half-an-hour after it was led into encampment, it was cut up
and boiling in fifty pots.
The North-West Angle Treaty. 59
THIRD DAY.
Proceedings were opened at eleven o'clock by the Governor
announcing that he was ready to hear what the Chiefs had to
say. The Fort Francis Chief acted as spokesman, assisted by
another Chief, Powhassan.
MA-WE-DO-PE-NAIS—"I now lay down before you the opinions
of those you have seen before. We think it a great thing to
meet you here. What we have heard yesterday, and as you
represented yourself, you said the Queen sent you here, the
way we understood you as a representative of the Queen. All
this is our property where you have come. We have understood you yesterday that Her
Majesty has given you the same
power and authority as
she has, to act in this business ; you
said the Queen gave you her goodness, her charitableness in
your hands. This is what we think, that the Great Spirit has
planted us on this ground where we are, as you were where
you came from. We think where we are is our property. I
will tell you what he said to us when he he planted us here ;
the rules that we should follow—us Indians—He has given us
rules that we should follow to govern us rightly. We have
understood you that you have opened your charitable heart to
us like a person taking off his garments and throwing them to
all of us here. Now, first of all, I have a few words to address
to this gentleman (Mr. Dawson). When he understood rightly
what was my meaning yesterday, he threw himself on your
help. I think I have a right to follow him to where he flew
when I spoke to him on the subject yesterday. We will follow
up the subject from the point we took it up. I want to answer
what we heard from you yesterday, in regard to the money
that you have promised us yesterday to each individual. I
want to talk about the rules that we had laid down before. It
is four years back since we have made these rules. The
rules laid down are the rules that they wish to follow—a
council that has been agreed upon by all the Indians. I do
60 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
not wish that I should be required to say twice what I am
now now going to lay down. We ask fifteen dollars for all that
you see, and for the children that are to be born in future.
This year only we ask for fifteen dollars; years after ten dollars ; our Chiefs fifty
dollars per year for every year, and other
demands of large amounts in writing, say $125,000 yearly."
ANOTHER CHIEF—"I take my standing point from here.
Our councillors have in council come to this conclusion, that
they should have twenty dollars each ; our warriors, fifteen
dollars; our population, fifteen dollars. Â We have now laid
down the conclusion of our councils by our decisions. We tell
you our wishes are not divided. We are all of one mind."
(Paper put in before the Governor for these demands.)
CHIEF—" I now let you know the opinions of us here. We
would not wish that anyone should smile at our affairs, as we
think our country is a large matter to us. If you grant us
what is written on that paper, then we will talk about the
reserves ; we have decided in council for the benefit of those
that will be born hereafter. If you do so the treaty will be
finished, I believe."
GOVERNOR—"I quite agree that this is no matter to smile at.
I think that the decision of to-day is one that affects yourselves
and your children after, but you must recollect that this is the
third time of negotiating. If we do not shake hands and make
our Treaty to-day, I do not know when it will be done, as the
Queen's Government will think you do not wish to treat with
her. You told me that you understood that I represented the
Queen's Gove 'nment to you and that I opened my heart to
you, but you must recollect that if
you are a council there is another great council that governs a great Dominion, and they
hold their councils the same as you hold yours. I wish to tell
you that I am a servant of the Queen. I cannot do my own
will ; I must do hers. I can only give you what she tells me
to give you. I am sorry to see that your hands were very wide
open when you gave me this paper. I thought what I pro
The North-West Angle Treaty. 61mised you was just, kind and fair between the Qeeen and you.
It is now three years we have been trying to settle this matter.
If we do not succeed to-day I shall go away feeling sorry for
you and for your children that you could not see what was
good for you and for them. I am ready to do what I promised
you yesterday. My hand is open and you ought to take me
by the hand and say, "yes, we accept of your offer." I have
not the power to do what you ask of me. I ask you once more
to think what you are doing, and of those you have left at.
home, and also of those that may be born yet, and I ask you
not to turn your backs on what is offered to you, and you ought
to see by what the Queen is offering you that she loves her red
subjects as much as her white. I think you are forgetting one
thing, that what I offer you is to be while the water flows and
the sun rises. You know that in the United States they only
pay the Indian for twenty years, and you come here to-day and
ask for ever more than they get for twenty years. Is that
just? I think you ought to accept my offer, and make a treaty
with me as I ask you to do. I only ask you to think for
yourselves, and for your families, and for your children and
children's children, and I know that if you do that you will
shake hands with me to-day."
CHIEF—"I lay before you our opinions. Our hands are poor
but our heads are rich, and it is riches that we ask so that we
may be able to support our families as long as the sun rises and
the water runs."
GOVERNOR—"I am very sorry : you know it takes two to
make a bargain ; you are agreed on the one side, and I for the
Queen's Government on the other. I have to go away and
report that I have to go without making terms with you. I
doubt if the Commissioners will be sent again to assemble this
nation. I have only one word more to say ; I speak to the
Chief and to the head men to recollect those behind them, and
those they have left at home, and not to go away without
accepting such liberal terms and without some clothing."
62 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
CHIEF—" My terms I am going to lay down before you; the
decision of our Chiefs; ever since we came to a decision you
push it back.
The sound of the rustling of the gold is under
my feet where I stand; we have a rich country; it is the Great
Spirit who gave us this; where we stand upon is the Indians'
property, and belongs to them. If you grant us our requests
you will not go back without making the treaty."
ANOTHER CHIEF—" We understood yesterday that the Queen
had given you the power to act upon, that you could do what
you pleased, and that the riches of the Queen she had filled
your head and body with, and you had only to throw them
round about; but it seems it is not so, but that you have only
half the power that she has, and that she has only half filled
your head."
GOVERNOR—" I do not like to be misunderstood. I did not
say yesterday that the Queen had given me all the power; what
I told you was that I was sent here to represent the Queen's
Government, and to tell you what the Queen was willing to do
for you. You can understand very well; for instance, one of
your great chiefs asks a brave to deliver a message, he represents you, and that is
how I stand with the Queen's Government."
CHIEF—"It is your charitableness that you spoke of yesterday—Her Majesty's charitableness
that was given you. It is
our chiefs, our young men, our children and great grandchildren, and those that are
to be born, that I represent here,
and it is for them I ask for terms. The white man has robbed
us of our riches, and we don't wish to give them up again without getting something
in their place."
GOVERNOR—" For your children, grandchildren, and children
unborn, I am sorry that you will not accept of my terms. I
shall go home sorry, but it is your own doing; I must simply
go back and report the fact that you refuse to make a treaty
with us."
CHIEF—" You see all our chiefs before you here as one mind;
The North-West Angle Treaty. 63
we have one mind and one mouth. It is the decision of all of
us ; if you grant us our demands you will not go back sorrowful ; we would not refuse
to make a treaty if you would grant
us our demands."
GOVERNOR—" I have told you already that I cannot grant
your demands ; I have not the power to do so. I have made
you a liberal offer, and it is for you to accept or refuse it as
you please."
CHIEF—"Our chiefs have the same opinion ; they will not
change their decision."
GOVERNOR—"Then the Council is at an end."
CHIEF (of Lac Seule)—" I understand the matter that he
asks ; if he puts a question to me as well as to others, I
say so as well as the rest. We are the first that were planted
here ; we would ask you to assist us with every kind of implement to use for our benefit,
to enable us to perform our work ;
a little of everything and money. We would borrow your cattle ;
we ask you this for our support ; I will find whereon to feed
them. The waters out of which you sometimes take food for
yourselves, we will lend you in return. If I should try to stop
you—it is not in my power to do so ; even the Hudson's Bay
Company—that is a small power—I cannot gain my point with it.
If you give what I ask, the time may come when I will ask you
to lend me one of your daughters and one of your sons to live
with us ; and in return I will lend you one of my daughters and
one of my sons for you to teach what is good, and after they
have learned, to teach us. If you grant us what I ask, although
I do not know you, I will shake hands with you. This is all I
have to say,"
GOVERNOR—" I have heard and I have learned something.
I have learned that you are not all of one mind. I know that
your interests are not the same—that some of you live in the
north far away from the river ; and some live on the river, and
that you have got large sums of money for wood that you have
cut and sold to the steamboats ; but the men in the north have
64 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
not this advantage. What the Chief has said is reasonable ; and
should you want goods I mean to ask you what amount you
would have in goods, so that you would not have to pay the
traders' prices for them. I wish you were all of the same mind
as the Chief who has just spoken. He wants his children to be
taught. He is right. He wants to get cattle to help him to
raise grain for his children. It would be a good thing for you
all to be of his mind, and then you would not go away without
making this treaty with me."
BLACKSTONE (Shebandowan)—" I am going to lay down before you the minds of those who are here.
I do not wish to
interfere with the decisions of those who are before you, or
yet with your decisions. The people at the height of land where
the waters came down from Shebandowan to Fort Frances, are
those who have appointed me to lay before you our decision. We
are going back to hold a Council."
Mr. Dawson—" I would ask the Chief who has just spoken,
did the band at Shebandowan—did Rat McKay, authorize him
to speak for them ? Ke-ha-ke-ge-nen is Blackstone's own Chief ;
and I am perfectly willing to think that he authorized him.
What I have to say is that the Indians may not be deceived by
representations made to them, and that the two bands met me
at Shebandowan and said they were perfectly willing to enter
into a treaty."
GOVERNOR—" I think the nation will do well to do what the
Chief has said. I think he has spoken sincerely, and it is right
for them to withdraw and hold a Council among themselves."
Blackstone here handed in a paper which he alleged gave
him authority as Chief, but which proved to be an official
acknowledgement of the receipt of a letter by the Indian Department at Ottawa.
The Governor here agreed with the Council that it would be
well for the Chiefs to have another meeting amongst themselves. It was a most important
day for them and for their
children, and His Excellency would be glad to meet them again.
The North-West Angle Treaty. 65
The Council broke up at this point, and it was extremely
doubtful whether an agreement could be come to or not. The
Rainy River Indians were careless about the treaty, because
they could get plenty of money for cutting wood for the boats,
but the northern and eastern bands were anxious for one. The
Governor decided that he would make a treaty with those bands
that were willing to accept his terms, leaving out the few disaffected ones. A Council
was held by the Indians in the evening, at which Hon. James McKay, Pierre Léveillée,
Charles
Nolin, and Mr. Genton were present by invitation of the
Chiefs. After a very lengthy and exhaustive discussion, it was
decided to accept the Governor's terms, and the final meeting
was announced for Friday morning. Punctually at the appointed
time proceedings were opened by the Fort Francis Chiefs
announcing to His Excellency that they were all of one mind,
and would accept his terms, with a few modifications. The
discussion of these terms occupied five hours, and met every
possible contingency so fully that it would be impossible to do
justice to the negotiators otherwise than by giving a full report
of the speeches on both sides ; but want of space compels us to
lay it over until next week.
The treaty was finally closed on Friday afternoon, and signed
on Saturday ; after which a large quantity of provisions, ammunition and other goods
were distributed.
When the council broke up last (Thursday) night, 3rd October, it looked very improbable
that an understanding could be
arrived at, but the firmness of the Governor, and the prospect
that he would make a treaty with such of the bands as were
willing to accept his terms, to the exclusion of the others, led
them to reconsider their demands. The Hon. James McKay,
and Messrs. Nolin, Genton, and Léveillée were invited in to their
council, and after a most exhaustive discussion of the circumstance in which they
were placed, it was resolved to accept the
Governor's terms, with some modifications. Word was sent to
66 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
this effect, and at eleven o'clock on Friday, conference was again
held with His Excellency.
"We present our compliments to you, and now we would tell
you something. You have mentioned our councillors, warriors
and messengers—every Chief you see has his councillors, warriors and messengers."
GOVERNOR——" I was not aware what names they gave methey gave their chief men. I spoke of the
subordinates of the
head Chiefs ; I believe the head Chiefs have three subordinates
—I mean the head Chief and three of his head men."
CHIEF—"I am going to tell you the decision of all before you.
I want to see your power and learn the most liberal terms that
you can give us."
GOVERNOR—"I am glad to meet the Chiefs, and I hope it will
be the last time of our meeting. I hope we are going to underderstand one-another
to-day. And that I can go back and report that I left my Indian friends contented,
and that I have
put into their hands the means of providing for themselves
and their families at home; and now I will give you my last
words. When I held out my hands to you at first, I intended
to do what was just and right, and what I had the power to do
at once,—not to go backwards and forwards, but at once to do
what I believe is just and right to you. I was very much
pleased yesterday with the words of the Chief of Lac Seul. I
was glad to hear that he had commenced to farm and to raise
things for himself and family, and I was glad to hear him ask
me to hold out my hand. I think we should do everything to
help you by giving you the means to grow some food, so that
if it is a bad year for fishing and hunting you may have something for your children
at home. If you had not asked it the
Goverment would have done it all the same, although I had not
said so before. I can say this, that when a band settles down
and actually commences to farm on their lands, the
Government
The North-West Angle Treaty. 67
will agree to give two hoes, one spade, one scythe, and one axe
for every family actually settled ; one plough for every ten families ; five harrows
for every twenty families ; and a yoke of
oxen, a bull and four cows for every band ; and enough barley,
wheat and oats to plant the land they have actually broken
up. This is to enable them to cultivate their land, and it is
to be given them on their commencing to do so, once for all.
There is one thing that I have thought over, and I think it is
a wise thing to do. That is to give you ammunition, and twine
for making, nets, to the extent of $1,500 per year, for the whole
nation, so that you can have the means of procuring food.-
Now, I will mention the last thing that I can do. I think
that the sum I have offered you to be paid after this year for
every man, woman and child now, and for years to come, is
right and is the proper sum. I will not make any change in
that, but we are anxious to show you that we have a great
desire to understand you—that we wish to do the utmost in our
power to make you contented, so that the white and the red
man will always be friends. This year, instead of ten dollars we
will give you twelve dollars, to be paid you at once as soon as we
sign the treaty. This is the best I can do for you. I wish you to
understand we do not come here as traders, but as representing
the Crown, and to do what we believe is just and right. We
have asked in that spirit, and I hope you will meet me in that
spirit and shake hands with me-day and make a treaty for
ever. I have no more to say."
CHIEF—" I wish to ask some points that I have not properly
understood. We understand that our children are to have two
dollars extra. Will the two dollars be paid to our principal
men as well? And these things that are promised will they
commence at once and will we see it year after year ?"
GOVERNOR—" I thought I had spoken fully as to everything,
but I will speak again. The ammunition and twine will be got
at once for you,
this year, and that will be for every year. The
Commissioner will see that you get this at once ; with regard
68 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
to the things to help you to farm, you must recollect, in a very
few days the river will be frozen up here and we have not got
these things here now. But arrangements will be made next
year to get these things for those who are farming, it cannot be
done before as you can see yourselves very well. Some are
farming, and I hope you will all do so."
CHIEF—" One thing I did not say that is most necessary- we want a cross-cut saw, a whip
saw, grindstone and files."
GOVERNOR—" We will do that, and I think we ought to give
a box of common tools to each Chief of a Band."
CHIEF—" Depending upon the words you have told us, and
stretched out your hands in a friendly way, I depend upon that.
One thing more we demand—a suit of clothes to all of us."
GOVERNOR—" With regard to clothing, suits will be given to
the Chiefs and head men, and as to the other Indians there is a
quantity of goods and provisions here that will be given them
at the close of the treaty. The coats of the Chiefs will be given
every three years."
CHIEF—"Once more ; powder and shot will not go off without guns. We ask for guns."
GOVERNOR—"I have shewn every disposition to meet your
view, but what I have promised is as far as I can go."
CHIEF—"My friends, listen to what I am going to say, and
you, my brothers. We present you now with our best and our
strongest compliments. We ask you not to reject some of our
children who have gone out of our place ; they are scattered all
over, a good tasted meat hath drawn them away, and we wish
to draw them all here and be contented with us."
GOVERNOR—"If your children come and live here, of course
they will become part of the population, and be as yourselves."
CHIEF—"I hope you will grant the request that I am going
to lay before you. I do not mean those that get paid on the
other side of the line, but some poor Indians who may happen
to fall in our road. If you will accept of these little matters,
the treaty will be at an end. I would not like that one of my
The North-West Angle Treaty. 69
children should not eat with me, and receive the food that you
are going to give me."
GOVERNOR—"I am dealing with British Indians and not
American Indians ; after the treaty is closed we will have a
list of the names of any children of British Indians that may
come in during two years and be ranked with them ; but we
must have a limit somewhere."
CHIEF—"I should not feel happy if I was not to mess with
some of my children that are around me—those children that
we call the Half-breed—those that have been born of our women
of Indian blood. We wish that they should be counted with
us, and have their share of what you have promised. We wish
you to accept our demands. It is the Half-breeds that are
actually living amongst us—those that are married to our
women."
GOVERNOR—"I am sent here to treat with the Indians. In
Red River, where I came from, and where there is a great body
of Half-breeds, they must be either white or Indian. If
Indians, they get treaty money ; if the Half-breeds call themselves white, they get
land. All I can do is to refer the matter
to the Government at Ottawa, and to recommend what you
wish to be granted."
CHIEF—"I hope you will not drop the question ; we have
understood you to say that you came here as a friend, and
represented your charitableness, and we depend upon your
kindness. You must remember that our hearts and our brains
are like paper ; we never forget. There is one thing that we
want to know. If you should get into trouble with the nations,
I do not wish to walk out and expose my young men to aid you
in any of your wars."
GOVERNOR—"The English never call the Indians out of their
country to fight their battles. You are living here and the
Queen expects you to live at peace with the white men and
your red brothers, and with other nations."
ANOTHER CHIEF—"I ask you a question—I see your roads
70 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
here passing through the country, and some of your boatsuseful articles that you use
for yourself. Bye and bye we shall
see things that run swiftly, that go by fire—carriages—and we
ask you that us Indians may not have to pay their passage i
these things, but can go free."
GOVERNOR—"I think the best thing I can do is to become an
Indian. I cannot promise you to pass on the railroad free, for
it may be a long time before we get one; and I cannot promise
you any more than other people."
CHIEF—"I must address myself to my friend here, as he is the
one that has the Public Works."
MR. DAWSON—"I am always happy to do anything I can for
you. I have always given you a passage on the boats when I
could. I will act as I have done though I can give no positive
promise for the future."
CHIEF—"We must have the privilege of travelling about the
country where it is vacant."
CHIEF—"Should we discover any metal that was of use,
could we have the privilege of putting our own price on it?"
GOVERNOR—"If any important minerals are discovered on
any of their reserves the minerals will be sold for their benefit
with their consent, but not on any other land that discoveries
may take place upon ; as regards other discoveries, of course,
the Indian is like any other man. He can sell his information
if he can find a purchaser."
CHIEF—"It will be as well while we are here that everything
should be understood properly between us. All of us—those
behind us—wish to have their reserves marked out, which
they will point out, when the time comes. There is not one
tribe here who has not laid it out."
COMMISSIONER PROVENCHER (the Governor being temporarily absent)—" As soon as it is convenient to the Government
to send surveyors to lay out the reserves they will do so, and
they will try to suit every particular band in this respect."
The North-West Angle Treaty. 71
CHIEF—"We do not want anybody to mark out our reserves,
we have already marked them out."
COMMISSIONER—"There will be another undertaking between
the officers of the Government and the Indians among themselves for the selection
of the land ; they will have enough of
good farming land, they may be sure of that."
CHIEF—"Of course, if there is any particular part wanted
by the public works they can shift us. I understand that ;
but if we have any gardens through the country, do you wish
that the poor man should throw it right away ?"
CHIEF—"These are matters that are the wind-up. I begin
now to see how I value the proceedings. I have come to this
point, and all that are taking part in this treaty and yourself.
I would wish to have all your names in writing handed over to
us. I would not find it to my convenience to have a stranger here
to transact our business between me and you. It is a white
man who does not understand our language that is taking it
down. I would like a man that understands our language and
our ways. We would ask your Excellency as a favor to appoint
him for us."
GOVERNOR—"I have a very good feeling to Mr. C. Nolin,
he has been a good man here ; but the appointment of an
Agent rests with the authorities at Ottawa and I will bring
your representation to them, and I am quite sure it will meet
with the respect due to it."
CHIEF—"As regards the fire water, I do not like it and I do
not wish any house to be built to have it sold. Perhaps at
times if I should be unwell I might take drop just for medicine ;
and shall any one insist on bringing it where we are, I should
break the treaty."
GOVERNOR—"I meant to have spoken of that myself, I meant
to put it in the treaty. He speaks good about it. The Queen
and her Parliament in Ottawa have passed a law prohibiting the
72 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
use of it in this territory, and if any shall be brought in for the
use of you as medicine it can only come in by my permission."
CHIEF—"Why we keep you so long is that it is our wish
that everything should be properly understood between us."
GOVERNOR—"That is why I am here. It is my pleasure, and
I want when we once shake hands that it should be forever."
CHIEF—"That is the principal article. If it was in my
midst the fire water would have spoiled my happiness, and I
wish it to be left far away from where I am. All the promises
that you have made me, the little promises and the money you
have promised, when it comes to me year after year—should I
see that there is anything wanting, through the negligence of
the people that have to see after these things, I trust it will
be in my power to put them in prison."
GOVERNOR—"The ear of the Queen's Government will always
be open to hear the complaints of her Indian people, and she
will deal with her servants that do not do their duty in a proper
manner."
CHIEF—"Now you have promised to give us all your names.
I want a copy of the treaty that will not be rubbed off, on
parchment."
GOVERNOR—"In the mean time I will give you a copy on
paper, and as soon as I get back I will get you a copy on
parchment."
CHIEF—"I do not wish to be treated as they were at Red
River—that provisions should be stopped as it is there. Whenever we meet and have
a council I wish that provisions should
be given to us. We cannot speak without eating."
GOVERNOR—"You are mistaken. When they are brought
together at Red River for their payments they get provisions."
CHIEF—"We wish the provisions to come from Red River."
GOVERNOR—"If the Great Spirit sends the grasshopper and
there is no wheat grown in Red River, we cannot give it to
you."
CHIEF—"You have come before us with a smiling face, you
The North-West Angle Treaty. 73
have shown us great charity—you have promised the good
things ; you have given us your best compliments and wishes,
not only for once but for ever ; let there now for ever be peace
and friendship between us. It is the wish of all that where
our reserves are peace should reign, that nothing shall be there
that will disturb peace. Now, I will want nothing to be there
that will disturb peace, and will put every one that carries
arms,—such as murderers and thieves—outside, so that nothing
will be there to disturb our peace."
GOVERNOR—"The Queen will have policemen to preserve
order, and murderers and men guilty of crime will be punished
in this country just the same as she punishes them herself."
CHIEF—"To speak about the Hudson's Bay Company. If it
happens that they have surveyed where I have taken my
reserve, if I see any of their signs I will put them on one
side."
GOVERNOR—"When the reserves are given you, you will have
your rights. The Hudson's Bay Company have their rights,
and the Queen will do justice between you."
CHIEF OF FORT FRANCIS—"Why I say this is, where I have
chosen for my reserve I see signs that the H. B. Co. has surveyed.
I do not hate them. I only wish they should take their
reserves on one side. Where their shop stands now is my
property ; I think it is three years now since they have had it
on it."
GOVERNOR—"I do not know about that matter ; it will be
enquired into. I am taking notes of all these things and am
putting them on paper."
CHIEF—I will tell you one thing. You understand me now,
that I have taken your hand firmly and in friendship. I repeat
twice that you have done so, that these promises that you have
made, and the treaty to be concluded, let it be as you promise,
as long as the sun rises over our head and as long as the water
runs. One thing I find, that deranges a little my kettle. In
this river, where food used to be plentiful for our subsistence,
74 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
I perceive it is getting scarce. We wish that the river should
be left as it was formed from the beginning—that nothing be
broken."
GOVERNOR—"This is a subject that I cannot promise."
MR. DAWSON—"Anything that we are likely to do at present cut will not interfere with the fishing,
but no one can tell what
the future may require, and we cannot enter into any engagement."
CHIEF—"We wish the Government would assist us in getting a few boards for some of us who
are intending to put up
houses this fall, from the mill at Fort Francis."
GOVERNOR—"The mill is a private enterprise, and we have
no power to give you boards from that."
CHIEF—"I will now show you a medal that was given to
those who made a treaty at Red River by the Commissioner.
He said it was silver, but
I do not think it is. I should be
ashamed to carry it on my breast over my heart. I think it
would disgrace the Queen, my mother, to wear her image on so
base a metal as this. [Here the Chief held up the medal and
struck it with the back of his knife. The result was anything
but the 'true ring,' and made every man ashamed of the petty
meanness that had been practised.] Let the medals you give
us be of silver—medals that shall be worthy of the high position our Mother the Queen
occupies."
GOVERNOR—"I will tell them at Ottawa
what you have said,
and how you have said it."
CHIEF—"I wish you to understand you owe the treaty much
to the Half-breeds."
GOVERNOR—"I know it. I sent some of them to talk with
you, and I am proud that all the Half-breeds from Manitoba,
who are here, gave their Governor their cordial support."
The business of the treaty having now been completed, the
'Chief, Mawedopenais, who, with Powhassan, had with such
wonderful tact carried on the negotiations, stepped up to the
Governor and said :-
The North- West Angle Treaty. 75
"Now you see me stand before you all ; what has been done
here to-day has been done openly before the Great Spirit, and .'
before the nation, and I hope that I may never hear any one
say that this treaty has been done secretly; and now, in closing
this Council, I take off my glove, and in giving you my hand,
I deliver over my birth-right and lands; and in taking your
hand, I hold fast all the promises you have made, and I hope ,
they will last as long as the sun goes round and the water
flows, as you have said."
The Governor then took his hand and said:
"I accept your hand and with it the lands, and will keep all
my promises, in the firm belief that the treaty now to be signed
will bind the red man and the white together as friends for
ever."
A copy of the treaty was then prepared and duly signed,
after which a large amount of presents, consisting of pork, flour,
clothing, blankets, twine, powder and shot, etc., were distributed
to the several bands represented on the ground.
On Saturday, Mr. Pether, Local Superintendent of Indian
Affairs at Fort Francis, and Mr. Graham of the Government
Works, began to pay the treaty money—an employment that
kept them busy far into the night. Some of the Chiefs
received as much as one hundred and seventy dollars for themselves and families.
As soon as the money was distributed the shops of the H. B.
Co., and other resident traders were visited, as well as the tents
of numerous private traders, who had been attracted thither by
the prospect of doing a good business. And while these shops
all did a great trade—the H. B. Co. alone taking in $4,000 in
thirty hours—it was a noticeable fact that many took home
with them nearly all their money. When urged to buy goods
there, a frequent reply was : " If we spend all our money here
and go home and want debt, we will be told to get our debt
where we spent our money. "Debt" is used by them instead
of the word "credit." Many others deposited money with
76 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
white men and Half-breeds on whose honor they could depend,
to be called for and spent at Fort Garry when "the ground
froze."
One very wonderful thing that forced itself on the attention
of every one was the perfect order that prevailed throughout
the camp, and which more particularly marked proceedings in
the council. Whether the demands put forward were granted
by the Governor or not, there was no petulance, no ill-feeling,
evinced ; but everything was done with a calm dignity that was
pleasing to behold, and which might be copied with advantage
by more pretentious deliberative assemblies.
On Sunday afternoon, the Governor presented an ox to the
nation, and after it had been eaten a grand dance was indulged
in. Monday morning the river Indians took passage on the
steamer for Fort Francis, and others left in their canoes for
their winter quarters.
The Governor and party left on Monday morning, the troops,
under command of Captain McDonald, who had conducted
themselves with the greatest propriety, and had contributed, by
the moral effect of their presence, much to the success of the
negotiation, having marched to Fort Garry on Saturday morning.
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