Treaty 4
Encyclopedia
Treaty 4 was a treaty established between Queen Victoria
and the Cree
and Saulteaux
First Nations
. The area covered by Treaty 4 represents most of current day southern Saskatchewan
, plus small portions of what are today western Manitoba
and southeastern Alberta
.
This treaty is also called the "Qu'appelle Treaty," as its first signings were conducted at Fort Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan
on 15 September 1874. Additional signings or adhesions would continue until September 1877.
to gain land from the First Nations for settlement, agricultural and industry. Also, Prime Minister John A. Macdonald
saw the land as necessary to complete a transcontinental railway, which would run through the cities of Regina
, Moose Jaw, and Swift Current in southern Saskatchewan.
The people would also receive farming tools, and $750 annually for gunpowder, shot, bale and fishing net twine. Each reserve
would get a school when they desired a teacher. The people would also have the right to hunt and fish on all ceded land, except that land used for agriculture, forestry, mining, or on any land that was settled.
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
and the Cree
Cree
The Cree are one of the largest groups of First Nations / Native Americans in North America, with 200,000 members living in Canada. In Canada, the major proportion of Cree live north and west of Lake Superior, in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Northwest Territories, although...
and Saulteaux
Saulteaux
The Saulteaux are a First Nation in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, Canada.-Ethnic classification:The Saulteaux are a branch of the Ojibwe nations. They are sometimes also called Anihšināpē . Saulteaux is a French term meaning "people of the rapids," referring to...
First Nations
First Nations
First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The...
. The area covered by Treaty 4 represents most of current day southern Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
, plus small portions of what are today western Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
and southeastern Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
.
This treaty is also called the "Qu'appelle Treaty," as its first signings were conducted at Fort Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan
Fort Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan
These figures do not include the substantial population living along the shores of the Fishing Lakes.-Origins:The current site is the third Fort Qu'Appelle. The first was a North West Company trading post , also in the valley but near what is now the Saskatchewan-Manitoba border...
on 15 September 1874. Additional signings or adhesions would continue until September 1877.
Reasons for the Treaty
The Government of Canada negotiated the first five Numbered TreatiesNumbered Treaties
The numbered treaties are a series of eleven treaties signed between the aboriginal peoples in Canada and the reigning Monarch of Canada from 1871 to 1921. It was the Government of Canada who created the policy, commissioned the Treaty Commissioners and ratified the agreements...
to gain land from the First Nations for settlement, agricultural and industry. Also, Prime Minister John A. Macdonald
John A. Macdonald
Sir John Alexander Macdonald, GCB, KCMG, PC, PC , QC was the first Prime Minister of Canada. The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, his political career spanned almost half a century...
saw the land as necessary to complete a transcontinental railway, which would run through the cities of Regina
Regina, Saskatchewan
Regina is the capital city of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The city is the second-largest in the province and a cultural and commercial centre for southern Saskatchewan. It is governed by Regina City Council. Regina is the cathedral city of the Roman Catholic and Romanian Orthodox...
, Moose Jaw, and Swift Current in southern Saskatchewan.
Terms of the Treaty
Each family of 5 covered by Treaty 4 would receive 2.5 square km of land, which they could sell back to the Government of Canada for compensation. Each person received $5 a year and a gift of clothing. A chief would receive $25 immediately plus an additional $25 per year, along with a coat and a silver medal. Every three years, a chief would receive a new suit of clothing. Four people of each band would also receive $15 a year and a new suit of clothing every three years.The people would also receive farming tools, and $750 annually for gunpowder, shot, bale and fishing net twine. Each reserve
Indian reserve
In Canada, an Indian reserve is specified by the Indian Act as a "tract of land, the legal title to which is vested in Her Majesty, that has been set apart by Her Majesty for the use and benefit of a band." The Act also specifies that land reserved for the use and benefit of a band which is not...
would get a school when they desired a teacher. The people would also have the right to hunt and fish on all ceded land, except that land used for agriculture, forestry, mining, or on any land that was settled.
Timeline
- 15 September 1874: first signings at Fort Qu'Appelle, SaskatchewanFort Qu'Appelle, SaskatchewanThese figures do not include the substantial population living along the shores of the Fishing Lakes.-Origins:The current site is the third Fort Qu'Appelle. The first was a North West Company trading post , also in the valley but near what is now the Saskatchewan-Manitoba border...
- 21 September 1874: Fort Ellice signing
- 8 September 1875: Qu'Appelle Lakes signing
- 9 September 1875: additional Qu'Appelle Lakes signing
- 24 September 1875: Swan Lake signing
- 24 August 1876: Fort Pelly signing
- 25 September 1877: Fort Walsh signing
List of Treaty 4 First Nations
- Manitoba
- Swampy Cree Tribal Council
- Chemawawin Cree NationChemawawin Cree NationThe Chemawawin Cree Nation is located next to Easterville, Manitoba in Central Manitoba. The population of this First Nation is identified as Swampy Cree and also Rocky Cree .- References :*...
—Treaty 5 signatory council member - Grand Rapids First NationGrand Rapids First NationMisipawistik Cree Nation is a Cree community formerly known as "Grand Rapids First Nation". "Misipawistik" in the local Cree language means "Rushing rapids", which were once an historical landmark in Misipawistik before the construction of the Hydroelectric Dam. MCN is located near Grand Rapids,...
—Treaty 5 signatory council member - Marcel Colomb First NationMarcel Colomb First NationMarcel Colomb First Nation is a First Nations tribe of approximately 300 Swampy Cree people located in the area of Lynn Lake, Manitoba. There is a reserve under development on Black Sturgeon IR 198a at Hughes Lake approximately 30 kilometres southeast of Lynn Lake.- References :* *...
—Treaty 6 signatory council member - Mathias Colomb First NationMathias Colomb First NationThe Mathias Colomb First Nation is located on IR Pukatawagan 198 and the main community is at Pukatawagan, Manitoba. The reserve consists of 1536.6 Hectares on the shore of Pukatawagan Lake and lies about 210 kilometers north of The Pas, Manitoba. There are about 1400 residents who are...
—Treaty 6 signatory council member - Mosakahiken Cree Nation—Treaty 5 signatory council member
- Opaskwayak Cree NationOpaskwayak Cree NationThe Opaskwayak Cree Nation is a First Nation in Manitoba, Canada. Opaskwayak means "where the two rivers meet". The First Nation has territory near The Pas, Manitoba, along the Saskatchewan River. The First Nation hosts the Opaskwayak Indian Days annually each August. The OCN Blizzard, a...
—Treaty 5 signatory council member - Sapotaweyak Cree NationSapotaweyak Cree NationThe Sapotaweyak Cree Nation are a Cree population located in Central Manitoba north of Swan River. They are in possession of a number of reserves. The largest on-reserve population occupies Shoal River 65A which is located adjacent to Pelican Rapids, Manitoba....
- Wuskwi Sipihk First NationWuskwi Sipihk First NationWuskwi Sipihk First Nation is a Swampy Cree First Nation located northeast Birch River, Manitoba, along the western shores of Swan Lake. As of April, 2011, the First Nation had a total registered population of 623 people, of which 197 people lived on their own Indian Reserve. The current Chief for...
- Chemawawin Cree Nation
- West Region Tribal Council
- Ebb and Flow First Nation—Treaty 2 signatory council member
- Gamblers First Nation
- Keeseekoowenin First Nation—Treaty 2 signatory council member
- O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First NationO-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First NationThe O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First Nation is located on IR Crane River 51 in Manitoba. Consisting of over 3500 hectares of land on the shore of Lake Winnipegosis, it is approximately 225 kilometers northwest of Winnipeg and adjacent to the settlement of Crane River....
—Treaty 2 signatory council member - Pine Creek First NationPine Creek First NationThe Pine Creek First Nation is a Saulteaux First Nation in Manitoba, Canada. The First Nation's homeland is Pine Creek 66A Reserve, located approximately 110 kilometres north of Dauphin along the southwestern shore of Lake Winnipegosis between the communities of Camperville and Duck Bay.The...
- Rolling River First NationRolling River First NationThe Rolling River First Nation has a total registered population of just under 1000 band members. About half of the members are resident on the reserves which are located south and east of Erickson, Manitoba. Band #291 are in possession of three reserves, Rolling River 67, Rolling River 67A,...
- Skownan First NationSkownan First NationSkownan First Nation in a Saulteaux First Nation located approximately 300 km north of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, on the south shore of Waterhen Lake, between Lake Winnipeg and Lake Winnipegosis...
—Treaty 2 signatory council member - Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve First Nation
- independent
- Waywayseecappo First NationWaywayseecappo First NationThe Waywayseecappo First Nation is a First Nation located twenty miles east of Russell in Manitoba, Canada. The Nation's Reserve is 10,059 hectare and is located near the southwestern corner of the Riding Mountain National Park. It is bordered by the Rural Municipality of Rossburn and the Rural...
- Waywayseecappo First Nation
- Swampy Cree Tribal Council
- Saskatchewan
- File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council
- Carry The Kettle First Nation
- Little Black Bear First Nation
- Muscowpetung First Nation
- Nekaneet First Nation
- Okanese First NationOkanese First NationThe Okanese First Nation is a First Nations in Saskatchewan, Canada.The Okanese First Nation was a signatory to Treaty number four.It is named after a leader named Okanis, who signed the treaty on their behalf, on September 9, 1875....
- Pasqua First Nation
- Peepeekisis First Nation
- Piapot First Nation
- Standing Buffalo First Nation—non-Treaty signatory council member; included in Treaty 4
- Star Blanket First Nation
- Wood Mountain First Nation—non-Treaty signatory council member; included in Treaty 4
- Saskatoon Tribal Council
- Kinistin First Nation
- Mistawasis First NationMistawasis First NationThe Mistawasis First Nation is a Cree First Nation in Saskatchewan, Canada. Their territory is located roughly 68 kilometres west of the city of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. The Nation has one reserve with an area of approximately 125.44 square kilometres....
—Treaty 6 signatory council member - Muskeg Lake First Nation—Treaty 6 signatory council member
- Muskoday First NationMuskoday First NationThe Muskoday First Nation is a First Nation in Saskatchewan, Canada, composed of Cree and Saulteaux peoples. The First Nation has a registered population of 1552 people as of December 2007, of which approximately 560 members of the First Nation live on-reserve, and approximately 980 live...
—Treaty 6 signatory council member - One Arrow First NationOne Arrow First NationOne Arrow First Nation is a Canadian Cree First Nation. Its reserve is located just south of Batoche, Saskatchewan near the South Saskatchewan River about 100 km Northeast of Saskatoon. The One Arrow First Nation is in the aspen parkland biome. It is bordered by the Rural Municipalities of St....
—Treaty 6 signatory council member - Whitecap Dakota First Nation—non-Treaty signatory council member
- Yellow Quill First NationYellow Quill First NationYellow Quill First Nation is a Saulteaux First Nation located eight miles east of Rose Valley, Saskatchewan, Canada. The Yellow Quill First Nation is a signatory of Treaty No...
- Touchwood Agency Tribal Council
- Day Star First Nation
- Fishing Lake First Nation
- Gordon First NationGordon First NationThe George Gordon First Nation is located near the village of Punnichy, Saskatchewan, in Canada. The First Nation has a population of 2,774 people, 1,060 of whom live on-reserve and 1,714 who live off-reserve. Elected Chief Glen Pratt leads the First Nation...
- Kawacatoose First Nation
- Muskowekwan First NationMuskowekwan First NationMuskowekwan First Nation is a Saulteaux First Nation located approximately 100 km northwest of Melville, Saskatchewan, Canada. As of May, 2008, the First Nation have 1,517 registered people, of which their on-Reserve population was 400.- History :...
- Yorkton Tribal Administration
- Cote First Nation
- Kahkewistahaw First Nation
- Keeseekoose First Nation
- Ocean Man First Nation—Treaty 4 signatory though in Treaty 2 area
- Sakimay First Nations
- The Key First Nation
- independent
- Cowessess First Nation
- Ochapowace First Nation
- Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation—Treaty 4 signatory though in Treaty 2 area
- White Bear First Nation—Treaty 4 signatory though in Treaty 2 area
- File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council
See also
- The Canadian Crown and First Nations, Inuit and MétisThe Canadian Crown and First Nations, Inuit and MétisThe association between the Canadian Crown and Aboriginal peoples of Canada stretches back to the first interactions between North American indigenous peoples and European colonialists and, over centuries of interface, treaties were established concerning the monarch and aboriginal tribes...
- Fort Qu'Appelle, SaskatchewanFort Qu'Appelle, SaskatchewanThese figures do not include the substantial population living along the shores of the Fishing Lakes.-Origins:The current site is the third Fort Qu'Appelle. The first was a North West Company trading post , also in the valley but near what is now the Saskatchewan-Manitoba border...