what was the outcome of chief sweetgrass signing treaty 6

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 (Stonechild and Waiser 10). It covered 117 articles, including the establishment of a code of law and form of government between the five nations. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The Crees were advised by members of Yellowquills band to prevent the treaty party from crossing the river as they were unhappy about the terms of Treaty 4. In 1882, Young Sweet Grass & seventeen followers joined Wah-wee-kah-oo-tah-mah-hote (Strikes him on the back), who had signed Treaty 6 at Fort Carlton on August 28, 1876. It remained to be seen whether it was a bad omen. The treaty annuities are annual cash payments distributed by the Government of Canada to the descendants of the Indigenous peoples who signed the RobinsonSuperior and RobinsonHuron treaties and the Numbered Treaties. Morris refused any other additions to the Treaty, and maintained that the terms of Treaty 6 were generous and acceptable. Created in 1993, the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations represents the various band governments of Treaty 6. The negotiations began at a traditional camping area the Crees called pehonanik or the waiting place, located a mile and half from the Fort (, Once everyone was assembled at the Council tent, the pipe stem ceremony began with all the Chiefs, headmen, singers, and drummers. The Crown also promised Treaty 6 signatories the establishment of schools on reserve land and a medicine chest, which is interpreted to mean universal health care. The Indigenous leaders then held council for the rest of the day. [4] Warriors consistently taunted him due to his stature within the village. Mtis observer and translator, Peter Erasmus noted that Morris was shaken by the incident. Our young men are foolish, it may not last long. There were many subsequent adhesions to the treaty by individual bands, well into the 20th century. He resented the notion completely how could the government give them land that they already possessed? There are 2051 registered band members (as of Dec. 31/2019), 749 people live on reserve which includes non-first nation people as well as people from other first nations. (Christensen 270). Sweet Grass or Wikaskokiseyin was born in a Cree Camp in the area near Fort Pitt, Saskatchewan. Sweet Grass along with three other Chiefs attempted to get ahead of government control by meeting with the representative of the Canadian government in the west Lieutenant Governor Archibald to petition the Hudson's Bay Company's (HBC) sale of land to the government. For example, one of the first recorded treaties between First Nations involved the Onodowohgah (Seneca), Kanien'Kehaka (Mohawk), Onundagaono (Onondaga), Onayotekaono (Oneida), and Guyohkohnyoh (Cayuga). Treaty 6 was the biggest piece of legislation between Plains Cree Leaders and the colonial government. Our team will be reviewing your submission and get back to you with any further questions. [19] The most vital contributions of a chief was to keep the peace during the day to day living by settling arguments between the other members of the band. So they were not present during the negotiations. Limits on the Treaty Power Harvard Law Review. Mistawasis further said, The prairies have not been darkened by the blood of our white brothers in our time, let this always be so. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. This took much time but the Chiefs appeared to be satisfied with what the government was offering. Are Siksika Blackfoot? The talks then adjourned, and the Indigenous leaders spoke in council for the next two days. Sweet Grass was one of the Chiefs who was more willing to work with them. Although Treaty 6 was significant in advancing the settlement of the lands, First Nations faced difficult times ahead and the promises of Treaty were never fully realized to present day. It is considered in present day that the medicine chest led to the concept of free 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. 1282 101 St, North Battleford, SK S9A 0Z8. The negotiations began at a traditional camping area the Crees called pehonanik or the waiting place, located a mile and half from the Fort (Stonechild and Waiser 12). Morris said little to ease the concerns of Beardy and promised that they too would receive the same as the other bands including agricultural assistance for a new way of life. . Edmonton was founded in Treaty No 6 territory and Treaty No 6 Recognition Day recognizes Edmonton's connection with the First peoples of this land. How Canada fulfilled its obligations was critical and it appeared to the First Nations that they made a mistake in surrendering their lands and way of life to become farmers. We invite you to come and see us and to speak with us. Chief Beardy, a spiritual leader known to possess, Little Pine and Big Bear were opposed to Treaty negotiations because they believed that the buffalo could still be preserved and that there was a need to regulate the hunting of the buffalo from non-First Nations. The signing of Treaty 6 was not the only reason for conflict between the Cree and other prominent Indigenous tribes in the region. He recounted the important points the Chiefs expressed regarding their physical and cultural survival, recounted the moving speeches of Ahtahkakoop and Mistawasis, and the special provisions that they negotiated to be included. Children typically lived a carefree and adventurous childhood. Beardys main concern was the rapid loss of the buffalo and he could not see how the treaty provisions would be able to compensate for such a loss and way of life for the Plains First Nations. The peak of the conflict came in 1861 when the Blackfoot had threatened to kill any Cree, Metis, or white man whom they stumbled upon. This was met with approval from the people. Schools were to be established on reserves. Popular. 10 How did Treaty 6 affect the First Nations? 6 Recognition Day to commemorate the signing of the treaty in 1876. What benefits did the Newcomers receive through Treaty Six? The pipe stem was presented to the Governor and Treaty Commissioners where they stroked the stem. When Treaty 6 was put forward by the Canadian government in 1876, Sweetgrass was profoundly influential in bringing the Plains Cree into the agreement. Chief Sweetgrass (Weekaskookwasayin) signed Treaty 6 on September 9, 1876, with the Fort Pitt Indians but was killed about six months later. Even after Treaty 6 was signed, the Blackfoot and Plains Cree continued to quarrel over hunting as the number of buffalo decreased with each passing year. Prime Minister John A. Macdonald wantedto expand the new Dominion west to the Pacific Ocean (Dodson 17). Pitikwahanapiwiyin stated: This is our land, it isnt a piece of pemmican to be cut off and given in little pieces back to us. In 150 we had entered into the Robinson Huron Treaty to protect. [15] Sweet Grass spiritual helper was the mosquito, which he would often seek for guidance. The band was to serve as a model for group Indigenous enfranchisement. Currently the band controls 20,573.80 hectares of land, the largest block of which is located 26 kms west of North Battleford. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Using this discontent, Chief Wandering Spirit gathered support and began to purses more aggressive policies towards settlers. [3] Moreover, Big Bear was part Ojibwa which meant both chiefs were not completely Cree. Approximately 2,000 Cree, Assiniboine, and Saulteaux people were there to witness and be a part of this historic event, Chiefs Ahtahkakoop and Mistawasis greeted Morris and the Treaty Commissioners on August 15, 1876. Chief Sweetgrass and Ki-he-win sent this letter to Lieutenant-Governor Archibald: Great Father, I shake hands with you, and bid you welcome. [5][44] His brother believed that they had given too much to the government in the treaty. By 1870 chief Sweet Grass would begin to become more integrated into Canadian society. Indigenous peoples are subject to the same tax rules as any other resident in Canada unless their income is eligible for the tax exemption under section 87 of the Indian Act. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 3 What happened when Chief Sweetgrass signed Treaty 6? One of the main questions is whether the signatories truly understood the concept of land cession. While the convention was initially held to modify the existing Articles of Confederation, the eventual consensus was the drafting of a new constitution. The federal government was not interested in negotiating a treaty at this time, believing that it was not essential, even though local missionaries and government agents tried to convince them otherwise. What were the main terms of Treaty 6? The overall goal that Sweet Grass wanted to achieve was an end to factionalism that had been plaguing the Plains Cree for years. [3] After being forced to set up camp along a river due to a snow storm, a member of their war party left to collect food and spotted a lone member of the Blackfoot on foot rounding up horses. John A. Macdonald had to protect the west from American expansion after they bought Alaska in 1867 (Natural Resources Canada). A reserve was surveyed west of Battleford in 1884 for the melded band members, who sold hay & wood and maintained gardens & livestock. [7] From this moment on, a special bond was formed between the child and whoever named them. Treaty making (as evidence by the Wampum belts) demonstrates that indigenous people felt. In the face of survival, the Cree started to assemble and meet with one another to discuss their approach to the government. 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. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website be reviewing submission. Which meant both Chiefs were not completely Cree to protect the west American... Get back to you with any further questions helper was the biggest piece of between! Various band governments of Treaty 6 to the Treaty, and bid welcome... Present day that the terms of Treaty Six piece of legislation between Plains Cree leaders and the colonial government group. 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