(Christensen 234), Once everyone was assembled at the Council tent, the pipe stem ceremony began with all the Chiefs, headmen, singers, and drummers. Sweet Grass understood the sacrifices that needed to be made for the bettering of the band. "Big Bear, Ahtahkakoop, and Mistawasis were the most vocal leaders to stop the developments on their lands. In 150 we had entered into the Robinson Huron Treaty to protect. 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 manager of the HBC post at Fort Carlton, Lawrence Clarke, wrote to government officials that same summer, alerting them that the Cree had also threatened to turn back telegraph workers who were trying to construct a line from Winnipeg to Edmonton. Treaty 6, between the Queen and bands of Cree and Stoney First Nations, was negotiated and signed at Fort Carlton and Duck Lake in August, and at Fort Pitt in September, 1876. The treaty boundaries extend across central portions of present-day, On 27 July 1876, Morris left for Fort Carlton to negotiate a treaty with the Plains Indigenous peoples of Saskatchewan. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. The raid of horses on the Blackfoot may have been an attempt to prove his worth to the tribe and seek their acceptance. If you need assistance, please contact us directly. [24] The Cree relied on the buffalo so heavily that they were pushed to a point of starvation. Morris then explained to the group that the Crown would create reserves for their people and would assist them in farming initiatives, without interfer[ing] with their present mode of living. Morris never explicitly discussed the concept of land cession. Is Edmonton on Treaty 6 land? On 27 July 1876, Morris left for Fort Carlton to negotiate a treaty with the Plains Indigenous peoples of Saskatchewan. These included rights that indigenous people could hunt and fish and had provisions on their land. He related that the First Nations Chiefs wanted to know if it was true that their lands were being sold. In Cree culture, verbal agreements hold the same amount weight as any other agreements. [49] After signing the treaty, some of the Cree remained unsatisfied with the situation they had been forced into. 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. [2] Due to this, Sweet Grass was not Cree and was Crow. Treaty 6, between the Queen and bands of Cree and Stoney First Nations, was negotiated and signed at Fort Carlton and Duck Lake in August, and at Fort Pitt in September, 1876. A reserve was surveyed west of Battleford in 1884 for the melded band members, who sold hay & wood and maintained gardens & livestock. 6 First Nations. While traditions within tribes remained significant, the Cree became more receptive to different denominations of Christianity. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. On January 11, 1877, Sweet Grass had an argument with his brother after the signing of treaty six. Both organizations concluded that the Indigenous signatories believed that they were agreeing to share the land and its resources, rather than to completely surrender it to the federal government. Governor Morris considered the provisions the leaders had asked for and was willing to make some concessions, but he would not agree to all of them. Due to missionaries moving into the interior, there was more significant pressure to convert to European religions, which many Cree did. On the Sweetgrass reserve, the mortality rates would grow after 1885 to 185 per every 1000 people on the reserve. [56] The tactic of withholding food from reserves will be used by the Canadian government to force cooperation. Land title refers to specific rights to a territory. However, they are still not recognized collectively as an Indian band with Indigenous and treaty rights. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Chief Sweetgrass and Ki-he-win sent this letter to Lieutenant-Governor Archibald: "Great Father, I shake hands with you, and bid you welcome. For almost two centuries the Cree, Assiniboine, and Saulteaux held a monopoly over European trade goods and weaponry in the western interior. The Sweetgrass First Nation is a Cree First Nation in Cut Knife, Saskatchewan, Canada. [26] Are Siksika Blackfoot? Website Development Studio. 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. He ventured into the Blackfoot territory, completely alone with the goal of capturing a herd of horses. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Signing up enhances your TCE experience with the ability to save items to your personal reading list, and access the interactive map. 6 Recognition Day to commemorate the signing of the treaty in 1876. Big Bear heard of the disharmony in Treaty 4 territory, they found that the promises of the treaty were not being honored by the government (, For several days the Chiefs met and waited for others to arrive. Even more important, the Chiefs felt that the Treaties would impose European values on the Cree. Why are but was the of treaty waitangi written out. [34] whoever was responsible for conveying these concerns did not do so effectively as many of the requests were not met, at least not when they needed it most. He was succeeded by his son, Apseenes (Young Sweet Grass). The tragedy is that the remnants of Big Bears tribe continue to be scattered across Montana, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. [15] This figure held no real identity and did not appear to anyone in visions or contact. Chief Sweet Grass (Weekaskookwasayin) signed Treaty 6 on September 9, 1876, with the Fort Pitt Indians, but was killed about six months later. He reminded them that the buffalo were disappearing and that they would have to learn to farm to feed themselves. After resisting sending children into the Canadian school system, the Cree living on the reserve received no food rations, until they capitulated. The same day, the chiefs and headmen of the Fort Pitt bands (including Cree, Chipewyan [Ojibwe] and Assiniboine peoples) signed Treaty 6. What was the outcome of Chief Sweetgrass signing Treaty 6? 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. 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. 6 Recognition Day in 2013. All nations kept the rights to use the land for hunting. There was much debate and discussions that took place with the First Nations participants, but the Queens representatives were eager to conclude the deal with the First Nations. Sweet Grass himself killed a Blackfoot Chief who had been using a hollow tree as a shield by shooting through it and piercing his heart. (. Because of these important disagreements with treaty they would refuse to sign and did all they could to protect what was left of the buffalo herds(Dodson 22). [10], The Cree were located in the plains of Canada. Why was Treaty 6 so important? 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. Chief Sweetgrass (Weekaskookwasayin) signed Treaty 6 on September 9, 1876, with the Fort Pitt Indians but was killed about six months later. He was sentenced to three years at Stony Mountain Penitentiary in Manitoba and converted to Christianity during imprisonment. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Morris reassured the First Nations that their way of life and survival would not be disturbed and guaranteed well into the future. While the signing of the treaty can be seen as selling away indigenous rights, it did bring much-needed medication and food to the Cree who had insufficient options. Some were away, including Cree chief Mistahimaskwa (Big Bear). John A. Macdonald did not want to go to war with the First Nations as the Americans were in the south to attain lands. per family of five. What Treaty 6 peoples are close to Edmonton? This is our land, not a piece of pemmican to be cut off and given in little pieces. Jill St. Germain, Indian Treaty-making Policy in the United States and Canada, 186777 (2001). George McDougall and North West Mounted Police (NWMP) Inspector Crozier brought presents to give to the Cree, but Big Bear refused them, telling them they did not want presents until the treaties were finalized. 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. Recognize Edmonton sits within Treaty No. To cede land (the act of cession) is to give up or surrender the authority to control and own that land. Thanks for contributing to The Canadian Encyclopedia. By 1870 chief Sweet Grass would begin to become more integrated into Canadian society. Sadly, in the face of starvation and the inevitable settlement of their lands, Little Pine eventually signed an adhesion to Treaty 6 on July 2, 1879. Treaty 7 lands (courtesy Victor Temprano/Native-Land.ca). Big Bear heard of the disharmony in Treaty 4 territory, they found that the promises of the treaty were not being honored by the government (Dodson 20). 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. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". . As a result of Big Bears words and stance in opposition to Treaty, the government began to see him as a threat. The Indigenous peoples retained the right to pursue hunting, trapping and fishing on reserve lands. Four days later, Morris met with the Duck Lake band. Sweet Grass believed that working alongside the government was one of the only solutions to the daily hardship the Cree were faced with. As Europeans began to set up colonies in North America, missionaries went among the indigenous people to spread their religion. There were also village elders and warriors. 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. Please have a look around. In another significant difference from Treaty 6, Treaty 7 states that the Crown would pay for teachers salaries instead of the maintenance of school buildings. 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. Chief Sweetgrass (Weekaskookwasayin) signed Treaty 6 on September 9, 1876, with the Fort Pitt Indians but was killed about six months later. It is the only known case in which the Canadian government enfranchised an entire band. Morris answered, some Half-breeds want to take lands at Red River and join the Indians here, but they cannot take with both handsthe small class of Half-Breeds who live as Indians and with the Indians, can be regarded as Indians by the Commissioners, who judge each case of its own merits. (Christensen 269) This meant that the Mtis people would not be included in Treaty 6 unless they were considered to be a part of the people living on the reserve land with First Nations. Medals, flags, and uniforms were presented as well as treaty payments. [3] Big Bear admired Sweet Grass for his bravery and guidance that he would often receive from his spiritual helper. Children typically lived a carefree and adventurous childhood. Big Bear refused to accept Treaty, arguing the terms were insufficient and that forcing the Cree Nation onto reserves was like pulling a rope around a persons neck, denying them freedom on their land. Alexander Morris spoke to those present, promising to offer the same terms as at Fort Carlton. Anthony Hall, Earth Into Property: Colonization, Decolonization, and Capitalism (2010). Sweetgrass First Nation -- Web Design by M.R. 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. "Biography WIKASKOKISEYIN, ABRAHAM Volume X (1871-1880) Dictionary of Canadian Biography", "History from a Different Angle: Narrative Strategies in The Temptations of Big Bear", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sweet_Grass_(Cree_chief)&oldid=1091635942, This page was last edited on 5 June 2022, at 12:56. Treaty 6 was signed by the commissioners and the head chiefs of the Carlton bands on 23 August 1876. He was succeeded by his son, Apseenes (Young Sweet Grass); he was unable to hold the band together, which began to splinter. Arthur J. Ray, Jim Miller and Frank Tough, Bounty and Benevolence: A History of Saskatchewan Treaties (2002). The Government of Canada held Big Bear responsible, convicted him of treason-felony, and sentenced him to three years in Stony Mountain Penitentiary. For the first three years after the signing of the treaty, Indigenous peoples farming on reserves were entitled to $1,000 in agricultural provisions. 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. The Governor interpreted this to mean that the Chiefs wanted to be fed everyday, but to the Chiefs, this meant that in times of starvation and they could not feed themselves that the government would assist them with rations when needed. Chief Sweetgrass and Ki-he-win sent this letter to Lieutenant-Governor Archibald: Great Father, I shake hands with you, and bid you welcome. 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