Some of the Chiefs and their people were hunting on the prairies and the ones that were present wanted to wait for the others while a message was sent for them to attend the meeting. All nations kept the rights to use the land for hunting. Under the leadership of Young Sweet Grass, the band began to fall apart due to internal conflict. Dempsey argues that if Mistahimaskwa had been present at the negotiations, the treaty commissioners would have likely had a more difficult time acquiring Indigenous approval of Treaty 6. (Ray, Miller, and Tough 143). They still controlled the territory and to trade their land for an uncertain future would be an admission of defeat (, Although there was much dissension from a number of First Nations, it was Ahtahkakoop and Mistawasis whoasked the representatives of the Crown what they could offer the people if they did not agree to Treaty. However, over-trapping forced tribes to move west to find suitable forest areas. They agreed with much of what was being said, however, they wanted to ensure their survival, and that the Great Queen Mother would look after them. The Chiefs hired Peter Erasmus, a Mtis, to interpret for them during the proceedings and his role became integral to both sides. Currently the band controls 20,354.6 ha of land, the largest block of which is located 26 km west ofNORTH BATTLEFORD. Historians Arthur J. Ray, Jim Miller and Frank Tough have argued that this ceremony was significant to the Cree because it invited the Creator to provide guidance to the negotiators and to witness the treaty discussions. Treaty 6 included terms that had not been incorporated into Treaties 1 to 5, including a medicine chest at the house of the Indian agent on the reserve, protection from famine and pestilence, more agricultural implements, and on-reserve education. However, he was too late; the treaty had already been signed. Children typically lived a carefree and adventurous childhood. Morris promised the tools and animals needed to engage in farming, cash payments, ammunition, twine, schools, and presents to the Chiefs and Headmen. Mistawasis asked Pitikwahanapiwiyin, Have you anything better to offer our people? Pitikwahanapiwiyin did not respond to that question directly, but held firm in his beliefs that the treaty terms were unfair and inadequate. Sweet Grass through both policy and action would have a lasting impact on the Plains Cree. [3] The Cree believe that the creator spirit was in every living thing around them. Treaty No. [55] Young Sweet Grass would eventually become chief and would name the new group the Sweetgrass First Nation in honour of his father. In 1860, a member of the Plains Cree had killed a Blackfoot chief, which had sparked a war against them. This took much time but the Chiefs appeared to be satisfied with what the government was offering. Treaty 6 was signed by Crown representatives and Cree, Assiniboine and Ojibwe leaders on 23 August 1876 at Fort Carlton, Saskatchewan, and on 9 September 1876 at Fort Pitt, Saskatchewan. Morris statement about reserves was immediately met with resistance by Pitikwahanapiwiyin (Poundmaker), a local leader who became a great chief in the 1880s. Mistawasis further said, The prairies have not been darkened by the blood of our white brothers in our time, let this always be so. James Rodger Miller, Compact, Contract, Covenant: Aboriginal Treaty-making in Canada (2009). For a time there was discussion regarding Erasmus words, but then Sweetgrass stood up to say, Mistawasis and Ahtahkakoop I consider far wiser than I am; therefore if they have accepted this treaty for their people after many days of talk and careful thought, then I am prepared to accept for my people. The other Chiefs agreed with him and they were ready to meet with Morris to accept the Treaty. Make provision for us against years of starvation. Please have a look around. Box 147 Gallivan, Saskatchewan S0M 0X0. We Send these words by our Master Mr.Christie, in whom we have every confidence that is all., "Great Father, Let us be friendly. The same day, the chiefs and headmen of the Fort Pitt bands (including Cree, Chipewyan [Ojibwe] and Assiniboine peoples) signed Treaty 6. Land title refers to specific rights to a territory. (Stonechild and Waiser 26) Living Sky School Division 509 Pioneer Avenue North Battleford, SK S9A 4A5 Canada office@lskysd.ca Newcomers would receive a peaceful co-existence with First Nations people, access to lands for settlement, farming, railways, and future industrial development. John A. Macdonald did not want to go to war with the First Nations as the Americans were in the south to attain lands. Chief Beardy then refused to be part of the negotiations at Fort Carlton and Morris understood this would be a problem to the Treaty process for the Willow Cree(Stonechild and Waiser 11). [40] Although it is not known which of the Cree Chiefs supported an unexpected attack on a Blackfoot Chief, it is known that Sweet Grass was not among them. In the face of survival, the Cree started to assemble and meet with one another to discuss their approach to the government. 3 What happened when Chief Sweetgrass signed Treaty 6? In order to attract the governments attention, in July 1875, the Cree stopped members of the Geological Survey in North Saskatchewan from moving any farther through their territory. The Treaty promised to give the Tlicho annual payments and services, like medical care, education and old age care. Please note that this form is not intended to provide customer service. However, Morris told the Cree that they would find themselves crowded by settlers unless they settled on reserves. Aboriginal has been an umbrella term used by Canadians and Canadian institutions for convenience. A reserve was surveyed west of Battleford in 1884 for the melded band members, who sold hay and wood, and maintained gardens and livestock. [3] There is no record of his father. Its territory is located 35 kilometers west of Battleford. On 9 September, Weekaskookwasayin addressed the people, arguing that the treaty terms would help preserve and protect their livelihood. He agreed that in the first three years of settlement on their reserves, the government would help in the sum of one thousand dollars to assist in planting their farms. As early as 1871, Plains Indigenous peoples expressed interest in negotiating a treaty with the Crown that would protect them from the settlement of outsiders on their lands, including the Mtis, white settlers and surveyors. In another instance, Sweet Grass had invited the Blackfoot into his camp in an attempt to begin a long-standing peace with them. In Morris address he described the governments genuine concern for the welfare of their Indian brothers and sisters and asked them to take his words with much thought and to look to the future, what I will promise, and what I believe and hope you will take, is to last as long as the sun shines and yonder rivers flow. (Stonechild and Waiser 15). In the face of survival, the Cree started to assemble and meet with one another to discuss their approach to the government. It is ours and we will take what we want. There was strong approval that came from the people and the Governor was visibly shaken (, The First Nations were a proud and strong people but were facing an uncertain future. Chief Beardy, a spiritual leader known to possess powers, met the treaty party on the journey to the Fort and invited them to meet on a local hill - this was based on a vision he had. Included would be a medicine chest kept at the Indian Agents homes for the use of the First Nations but at the discretion of the Indian Agent. It belonged to no one man and could not be sold (, In 1871, a delegation of Chiefs went to Fort Edmonton to meet with Chief Factor W.J. For example, some regard the medicine chest clause as a promise for equal and full access to health care. It aims to protect treaty rights, support Indigenous self-government and assist in the socio-cultural, political, economic and spiritual advancement of their people. Morris knew that he was offering more than the government would have wanted, but he felt it necessary to finalize the deal. [3] Upon reporting his sighting back to the others, they decide to kill the man and steal his horses. First Nations were alarmed at the various newcomers coming onto their lands and conducting geological surveys for telegraph lines, the railway, and lands for settlement (, Honourable Alexander Morris, Lieutenent -Governor of Manitoba, North-West, On the afternoon of July 27, 1876, the Honourable Alexander Morris and his treaty party left Fort Garry (present day Winnipeg) and headed northwest along Carlton trail to the Hudsons Bay Company trading post Fort Carlton (, Many Chiefs anticipated the arrival of the Queens treaty commissioners. [10], The Cree were located in the plains of Canada. He attempted to take Sweet Grasss pistol and it accidentally discharged, resulting in his death. From here the group made income from farming and lumber sale, supplemented with traditional methods as much as possible. The next day, well armed Peigans entered the battle and defeated the Cree, approximately 200-400 Crees died in the battle. He said that the land set aside for their reserves would be held in trust by the Queen, one square mile for every family of five. Poundmaker, a Councilor from Red Pheasants band, stood up and protested, This is our land, not a piece of pemmican to be cut off and given in little pieces. [21], Sweet Grass often worked closely with the fellow Cree chief Big Bear. [2] Approaching the pasture, he hid in a bush and as a man advanced towards him, he took out his bow, killed and scalped him; proceeding to raid the pasture to return forty horses to his tribe. First Nations were alarmed at the various newcomers coming onto their lands and conducting geological surveys for telegraph lines, the railway, and lands for settlement (Tobias 191). He was sentenced to three years at Stony Mountain Penitentiary in Manitoba and converted to Christianity during imprisonment. He was succeeded by his son, Apseenes (Young Sweet Grass). The Cree made it clear that they would not tolerate any trespassers on their lands. Chief Sweetgrass (Weekaskookwasayin) signed Treaty 6 on September 9, 1876, with the Fort Pitt Indians but was killed about six months later. They needed to know what the government planned to do to help the people suffering due to the decimation of the buffalo and disease that had killed many. They continued to deliberate for the next two days. Later that year, Sweet Grass was converted to Roman Catholicism by Father Albert Lacombe and was baptized with the Christian name Abraham. He was succeeded by his son, Apseenes (Young Sweet Grass). As this agreement is the first legal agreement between these Indigenous groups and the new Canadian government, which continued to impact and facilitate interactions between them. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Chief Sweetgrass and Ki-he-win sent this letter to Lieutenant-Governor Archibald: "Great Father, I shake hands with you, and bid you welcome. [15] However, this almighty creator appeared to individuals through various sprits such as the bear and horse. We never shed any white mans blood, and we have always been friendly with the whites, and want workmen, carpenters and farmers to assist us when we settle. In addition to rights and provisions similarly enshrined in Treaties 1 to 5, Morris agreed to three terms brought forward by the chiefs that are not found in previous Numbered Treaties. Treaty 7 lands (courtesy Victor Temprano/Native-Land.ca). [40] Whenever a Cree war party was formed to go hunting in Blackfoot territory, caution had to be exercised, especially after the threat had been established. In 2013, the City of Edmonton created Treaty No. [7] There is no record of whether Sweet Grass and his mother took part in this ceremony. Morris reassured the terms of the treaty, 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 (Christensen 268). [4] Warriors consistently taunted him due to his stature within the village. Issues arise from the mixed interpretations of the Treaty by both the Indigenous groups and the Government. to the signing of a treaty had strong cultural and spiritual significance. How did Treaty 6 affect the First Nations? He suggested to Morris that the government needed to preserve what buffalo herds were left, so that they could all share equally. Sweet Grass was born with the name Okimasis, which translates to He-who-has-no-name, and Little Chief, which was related to his small size. [39] The unpreparedness or perhaps unwillingness of the Canadian government to deal with the problems of indigenous peoples continued long after the signing of Treaty 6 but it was Sweet Grass firm belief that this was the best way to ensure that indigenous culture survived.[36].

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