"It's important that Canadians understand that this country's peaceful settlement was only made possible because Indigenous peoples agreed to accept treaty relationships that recognized their nationhood and promised that their lands and resources would be equitably shared." - Maurice Switzer
Treaties are legally binding agreements made between two or more nations (governments). Even before the arrival of European settlers, treaties have been made between Indigenous Nations living on Turtle Island (North America). These treaties allowed Indigenous Nations to form relationships and agreements with each other in order to settle disputes, aid peace-making, manage resources, and share lands. Many treaties between Indigenous Nations were recorded orally, while some may have also been recorded using symbolic objects such as Wampum Belts (Historica Canada).
The arrival of Europeans in the land we call Canada brought about the beginning of treaty-making between Indigenous Nations and European colonial governments. These early treaties were initially based on mutual respect and cooperation, and outlined the relationship between nations and their rights and responsibilities. However, over centuries, this relationship became a tool for assimilation (Historical Canada).
When looking at treaties, it's important to consider the different worldviews of Indigenous Peoples and European settlers. For Indigenous Nations, treaties were viewed as an equal relationship where both nations can live together and share the land. On the other hand, European settler governments didn't view Indigenous Peoples as equals. They viewed treaties as a way to assimilate and remove Indigenous Peoples from their lands (Historica Canada).
Oral tradition is at the centre of how Indigenous Peoples interpret treaties. These interpretations are not typically based on legal language or concepts but based on what was discussed, often in Indigenous languages, during treaty negotiations. European settlers believed in recording the treaty in written text. Considering the differences in languages, these written versions were very different from what was discussed during negotiations. It's also important to note that translations between the languages of the settlers and Indigenous Peoples may have led to inaccurate translations since certain words or concepts may not exist in the other language. For example, the idea of land ownership doesn't exist in an Indigenous worldview (Broken Promises).
Historic Treaties were signed between 1701 and 1923 in the areas we now call Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British, Columbia, while modern treaties, also known as comprehensive land claim agreements, were first signed in 1975. Historic treaties made between First Nations and the Crown were negotiated under different intents. First Nations leaders negotiated and "signed" treaties to secure the future of their peoples, and included access to education and health care. On the other hand, the Crown's main intent was to get access to the land and resources and remove Indigenous Peoples from their land (Indigenous Corporate Training).
Modern treaties are signed between Indigenous peoples, the federal and provincial government, and in some cases, a territory. They are generally made in areas where Indigenous Titles and Rights have not yet been settled. Compared to historic treaties, modern treaties are signed with the intention to improve the well-being of Indigenous peoples involved (Land Claims Agreements Coalition).
Watch and listen to Indigenous speakers share their knowledge about the importance of treaties, treaty relationships, and rights in Ontario.
"A land acknowledgment is a formal statement that recognizes Indigenous Peoples and their unique relationship to their traditional territories. This serves as an intentional reminder of treaties and our collective responsibility to uphold them, to meaningfully care for the land and to create space for a personalized response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action. It is an important statement of Seneca’s priorities and commitments" (Seneca’s Land Acknowledgment Guide).
"The importance of a land acknowledgment is to pay respect and honour to the First Peoples (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis) and the history of the land upon which all Seneca campuses are located. This is a small but significant action towards truth, reconciliation and the strengthening of relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Acknowledgments enable us to give thanks and recognition of our relationship to Indigenous lands, treaties, the original inhabitants and the history they have shared with this land for thousands of years. They also encourage reflection about the past, the resiliency of Indigenous Peoples and what individual and collective changes can be made in order to further the reconciliation process (Seneca’s Land Acknowledgment Guide).
The following video explores the Indigenous origins of the name of the city we know as Toronto, to the murder of a Mississauga chief that nearly caused all-out war. It sheds light on how Indigenous people’s lives and histories have shaped Toronto’s origins and asks the question; in this era of reconciliation, how do we acknowledge our collective history?
Use the following interactive maps to learn about the Treaty agreement that applies to a geographical area:
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