According to the notes of the commissions secretary, M.G. They disagreed with many aspects of the Treaty as they found that many of the promises did not provide the Cree with enough security for their future. Children typically lived a carefree and adventurous childhood. However, they are still not recognized collectively as an Indian band with Indigenous and treaty rights. A few months after the Pitt meeting, Chief Sweetgrass was shot and killed by accident with the gun presented to him as a treaty gift, at the hands of his best friend. This propelled him to work with the Canadian and eventually sign Treaty Six. However, he was too late; the treaty had already been signed. When they arrived at the council tent they hoisted the union jack - the flag of Britain. When Mistahimaskwa returned to Fort Pitt, he brought discouraging news with him from the Indigenous peoples on the prairies who had already signed Treaties 1 to 5: the treaties had not amounted to everything that the people had hoped. The treaty boundaries extend across central portions of present-day Alberta and Saskatchewan. On September 9, the Chiefs and Headmen signed their approval to accept Treaty 6. In August 1876, among the first to arrive at Fort Carlton were Chiefs Ahatahkakoop, Mistawasis and their followers (, Gov. Chief Weekaskookwasayin (Sweet Grass) permitted Morris to explain those terms to the congregation. The First Nations were a proud and strong people but were facing an uncertain future. [3] Both Chiefs would work together in multiple raids on the Blackfoot. 6 Recognition Day in 2013. They wanted assurance of their spiritual and physical survival (Price 20). A force of North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) was sent to the area to maintain order. We invite you to come and see us and to speak with us. 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. Treaty 6 was signed by Crown representatives and Cree, Assiniboine and Ojibwa leaders on 23 August 1876 at Fort Carlton, Saskatchewan, and on 9 September 1876 at Fort Pitt, Saskatchewan. [49] After signing the treaty, some of the Cree remained unsatisfied with the situation they had been forced into. Chief Sweet Grass (Weekaskookwasayin) signed Treaty 6 on September 9, 1876, with the Fort Pitt Indians, but was killed about six months later. There are 1,577 registered members, 537 of whom live on reserve. This treaty was called the Great Law of Peace of the People of the Longhouse and predates the year 1450. Chief Sweet Grass (Weekaskookwasayin) signed Treaty 6 on September 9, 1876, with the Fort Pitt Indians, but was killed about six months later. By signing an adhesion to a treaty, Indigenous peoples who could not attend or were not initially included in treaty negotiations were able to enter into the terms of that treaty. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Big Bear resisted signing of the treaty, hoping that he could hold out for a better deal with the Canadian government. 6 territory. (Ray, Miller, and Tough 143). This took much time but the Chiefs appeared to be satisfied with what the government was offering. [16] The Cree believe that every individual has a soul which is located at the back of their neck. Chief Sweetgrass (Weekaskookwasayin) signed Treaty 6 on September 9, 1876, with the Fort Pitt Indians but was killed about six months later. Other members of the negotiating team included treaty commissioners William Joseph Christie (an HBC officer) and James McKay (Mtis fur trader and politician), as well as translators, assistants and NWMP escorts. Gov. 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. [7] The Shaman's decision would be based on a character or incident that they saw in their vision. The Sweetgrass Nation was settled into the land West of the township Battleford, Saskatchewan in 1884. He was succeeded by his son, Apseenes (Young Sweet Grass); he was unable to hold the band together, which began to splinter. [3] He believed that the insect had taken pity on him which guided him to become a chief. Treaty 7 lands (courtesy Victor Temprano/Native-Land.ca). What was the outcome of Chief Sweetgrass signing 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 buffalo was the plains First Nations livelihood: their source of food, shelter, clothing, and trading goods. He was succeeded by his son, Apseenes (Young Sweet Grass). [4] His name, Sweet Grass was inspired by an audacious feat that he attempted as a youth. The Sweetgrass First Nation is a Cree First Nation in Cut Knife, Saskatchewan, Canada. 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. To the Canadian delegation, the only legally binding contracts were what was written into the treaty. (, Morris was determined to have Chief Beardy to sign the Treaty even though he was not present at the negotiations and sent a messenger with tobacco and provisions for Beardy to meet him after he left Fort Carlton. Box 147 Gallivan, Saskatchewan S0M 0X0. [15] However, this almighty creator appeared to individuals through various sprits such as the bear and horse. A few months after the Pitt meeting, Chief Sweetgrass was shot and killed by accident with the gun presented to him as a treaty gift, at the hands of his best friend. Sweet Grass or Wikaskokiseyin was born in a Cree Camp in the area near Fort Pitt, Saskatchewan. 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). Big Bear was adamant in his request to the government to create laws to regulate the hunting of the buffalo. This would lead high mortality rates within the community. Similarly, clauses promising farming assistance and reserve schools can be interpreted as a promise to provide general economic assistance for Indigenous businesses and access to modern education. This became one of many classic misinterpretations of the Treaty process as viewed in history. The Sweet Grass Reserve west of Battleford, Saskatchewan was named in his honor and is still functioning today. Website Development Studio. The treaty boundaries extend across central portions of present-day Alberta and Saskatchewan. Our young men are foolish, it may not last long. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. 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 (, Mistawasis had one last request and wanted to know how the Half-Breeds w, That afternoon, Treaty Six was signed by the Treaty Commissioners, the Lieutenant Governor, followed by Chiefs Mistawasis, Ahtahkakoop, and 11 other Chiefs, and 44 Headmen. Treaty 6 was the biggest piece of legislation between Plains Cree Leaders and the colonial government. Indigenous people were forced to choose between living on reserves, receiving a fixed amount of money every year for the rest of their lives and trying to assimilate and lose their status. The City of Edmonton and the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations co-hosted the first Treaty No. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Some were away, including Cree chief Mistahimaskwa (Big Bear). Mistahimaskwa was not the only chief who initially refused to sign the treaty. [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. A chief needed to be an active leader both in peace and war. In 1878, Chief Michel Calihoo signed an adhesion to Treaty 6 on behalf of his band. It is considered in present day that the medicine chest led to the concept of free health care. These agents were assigned to Indian reserves and bands and attempted to act as a liaison between the Government and First Nation communities. His mother was kidnapped during a war with the Cree from a tribe, which was located around Missouri. For example, in May 2008, the Beaver Lake Cree Nation in Alberta filed a lawsuit against the provincial and federal governments because proposed oil, gas, forestry and mining activities threatened their rights to hunt and fish on treaty lands; the case is still ongoing. Jill St. Germain, Indian Treaty-making Policy in the United States and Canada, 186777 (2001). Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Mtis. Indigenous people relinquishing titles and privileges to land. In the end, Chief Beardy agreed with the terms of the Treaty and signed it. Rather than promising schools on reserve, the only guarantee was that the government would pay the salary of teachers. [30] Another was that the government should stop supplying weapons to the Blackfeet who were his tribe's enemy. The treaty negotiations took days to complete at Fort Carlton. In 1882, Young Sweet Grass and 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. 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. He also agreed to give agricultural implements. [55] Young Sweet Grass would eventually become chief and would name the new group the Sweetgrass First Nation in honour of his father. Alexander Morris spoke to those present, promising to offer the same terms as at Fort Carlton. 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. As the treaty process never included women in the discussion it ignored an important cultural pressure. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. An example of this would be when Sweet Grass and Big Bear assembled 18 Cree warriors that attempted to raid Blackfoot hunting territory. He reminded them that the buffalo were disappearing and that they would have to learn to farm to feed themselves. [2] Due to this, Sweet Grass was not Cree and was Crow. [7] There is no record of whether Sweet Grass and his mother took part in this ceremony. What was the outcome of Chief Sweetgrass signing Treaty 6? Afterward, there were many First Nations who were upset because of a lack of consultation with them during the negotiations. The Treaty party left Fort Pitt and made their way back to Fort Garry. Like the earlier agreements this treaty called on the natives to surrender their aboriginal title to the lands they inhabited In return they were promised reserves education and farming supplies and the right to hunt trap and fish as well as annual cash payments. All nations kept the rights to use the land for hunting. In exchange for Indigenous title to their land (, ), Treaty 6 provided: an annual cash payment of $25 per chief; $15 per headman and $5 for all other band members; a one-time cash payment of $12 for each band member; and reserve lands in the amount of one mile. ) Once the amendments were made to the treaty text, negotiations came to a close. They were unaware of the negotiations at Fort Carlton and thought they would not be coming for another month or so. Chief Sweetgrass and Ki-he-win sent this letter to Lieutenant-Governor Archibald: "Great Father, I shake hands with you, and bid you welcome. Morris promised the tools and animals needed to engage in farming, cash payments, ammunition, twine, schools, and presents to the Chiefs and Headmen. It was required to distinguish themselves during a war, as a provider, and as a generous giver to gain this position. Released early due to a health breakdown, Big Bear sought sanctuary amongst the remnants of his tribe of the Poundmakers and Little Pine Reserve. Chief Sweet Grass (Weekaskookwasayin) signed Treaty 6 on September 9, 1876, with the Fort Pitt Indians, but was killed about six months later. Four days later, Morris met with the Duck Lake band. Commemorate the historic ties between the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations and the City of Edmonton. In 1862, Sweet Grass accompanied Broken Arm, who was known for his ability to broker peace, along with fifty escorts to finally make peace with the Blackfoot. Sweet Grass converted to Christianity in 1870, [25] being baptized into Catholicism with the name Abraham. 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. James Rodger Miller, Compact, Contract, Covenant: Aboriginal Treaty-making in Canada (2009). The Treaty of Waitangi Claudia Orange Google Books. We heard our lands were sold and we did not like it; we dont want to sell our lands; it is our property, and no one has the right to sell them. The First Nations assembled near the Chiefs tents, to the sound of beating drums and the discharge of small arms, singing, dancing, and loud speaking going on at the same time, as told by A.G. Jackes secretary to the Treaty Commisoner. [7] From this moment on, a special bond was formed between the child and whoever named them. 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. 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. 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). The Chiefs hired Peter Erasmus, a Mtis, to interpret for them during the proceedings and his role became integral to both sides. Sweetgrass First Nation Chief Lorie Whitecalf History Chief Sweet Grass (Weekaskookwasayin) signed TREATY 6 on September 9, 1876, with the Fort Pitt Indians, but was killed about six months later. 6 between the Plains, Wood Cree, Nakota, Saulteaux, and Dene people and the Crown at Fort Carlton on August 23, 1876. The iconography on the commemorative medals for Treaty 6 symbolizes: A.Two sovereign nations making peace and sharing the land forever B.The equality of all peoples under God C.The transfer of land and resources for material goods D.The dominance of the British Crown in negotiations and afterward A While there was a Cree verbal translation, the Treaty was made in English. If you cant come yourself, send someone in your place. On 23 August, the chiefs and commissioners negotiated the terms of the treaty. Big Bear and others seen the presents as traps, something to soften them up before negotiations." The band had instead sent a messenger to attend the negotiations. The Dominion of Canada bought Ruperts Land for the sum of 300,000 pounds from the Hudsons Bay Company on March 8, 1869 and at the same time the Crown transferred North West territories to Canada. Why is there no mention as an important key change the Accou. Currently the band controls 20,354.6 ha of land, the largest block of which is located 26 km west of North Battleford. 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). This has led to conflict over the clauses of the agreement. What benefits did the newcomers receive through treaty six? From here the group made income from farming and lumber sale, supplemented with traditional methods as much as possible. If the chief remained silent, the murderer was usually executed by the victim's relatives. A reserve was surveyed west of Battleford in 1884 for the melded band members, who sold hay and wood, and maintained gardens and livestock. In the summer of 1875, messengers from the Canadian government came to Cree territory to inform them that the government would be coming to negotiate a Treaty with them the following summer of 1876. Amendments to the Indian Act in 1985 re-established Indian status to over 750 members of the band. After the raid, they moved back to the reserve with the captured supplies without another incident. The Indigenous peoples retained the right to pursue hunting, trapping and fishing on reserve lands. [3] Sweet Grass and Big Bear had formed a war party for this exact purpose as stated previously. The two messengers, Rev. 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. [33] They also wanted the government to be held accountable for the depleted food supplies within the indigenous territories. Treaty 6 encompasses 17 First Nations in central Alberta including the Dene Sulin, Cree, Nakota Sioux and Saulteaux peoples. Clauses of the negotiations., Sweet Grass was inspired by an audacious that! Central Alberta including the Dene Sulin, Cree, Nakota Sioux and Saulteaux peoples better deal with the Lake. 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