what was the outcome of chief sweetgrass signing treaty 6

They hunted in the same territory and would often hunt and camp together. Website Design by M.R. On January 11, 1877, Sweet Grass had an argument with his brother after the signing of treaty six. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Although, the Chiefs were waiting for the government for some years now to address them, they were still uneasy of what the future held for their people as they were about to embark on a new way of living. The perpetrators of the massacre would be apprehended and tried for murder and hung in 1885.[51]. [32] 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. The days of bison hunting were coming to an end, and the Cree needed help adjusting to new modes of life; the treaty provided them with that opportunity. 6 First Nations. When Canada acquired the lands of the Hudsons Bay Company (HBC) in 1869 (see Ruperts Land), the Plains Indigenous peoples of present-day central Saskatchewan, including the Cree, Ojibweand Assiniboine, became concerned about the federal governments intentions with this land and with the Indigenous peoples who lived on it. Chief Sweet Grass (Weekaskookwasayin) signed Treaty 6 on September 9, 1876, with the Fort Pitt Indians, but was killed about six months later. After resisting sending children into the Canadian school system, the Cree living on the reserve received no food rations, until they capitulated. Treaty No. [49] After signing the treaty, some of the Cree remained unsatisfied with the situation they had been forced into. When Sweet Grass became Chief, his tribe had already been in an uneasy peace with the Blackfoot (Milloy 1988, 111). 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. On 9 September, Weekaskookwasayin addressed the people, arguing that the treaty terms would help preserve and protect their livelihood. 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. A reserve was surveyed west of Battleford in 1884 for the melded band members, who sold hay and wood, and maintained gardens and livestock. Morris did not understand that Chief Beardy and the Willow Cree declined to negotiate Treaty because it did not follow Beardy's vision, not because of the treaty itself. 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. Families had the ability to break away from their current band and join another elsewhere. According to the notes of the commissions secretary, M.G. He was succeeded by his son, Apseenes (Young Sweet Grass); he was unable to hold the band together, which began to splinter. 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). Chief Sweetgrass (Weekaskookwasayin) signed Treaty 6 on September 9, 1876, with the Fort Pitt Indians but was killed about six months later. What is the difference between Treaty 6 and Treaty 7? [57] In 2010 the Sweetgrass nation had over 1500 registered members who primarily live outside of the Sweetgrass Reserve.[55]. Other members of the negotiating team included treaty commissioners William Joseph Christie (an HBC officer) and. It was a tough decision to make. [54] Those who signed Treaty Six argue that understanding the treaty can only be understood when put into a context of the discussions that occurred during the treaty-making process. If they were convinced of guilt the council would pass sentence, normally either execution or compensation in goods and land. The Sweetgrass Nation was settled into the land West of the township Battleford, Saskatchewan in 1884. Website Development Studio. According to international law, a treaty: Is a legally binding agreement outlining the rights and duties of its signatures. [3] They bonded over sharing the characteristic of being small, but mighty warriors. Christie, the officer in charge of the Hudsons Bay Company for the Saskatchewan District. Website Development Studio. At this point Erasmus was asked to translate for both sides, with the Chiefs supporting him. 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. [14], Cree religion believed in a single powerful creator which they based their ideology and ceremonies on. But the Canadian government insisted that its grudging distribution of rations was a matter of favour, not a treaty obligation. Draft that endured throughout its provisions requiring domestic legal obligations on us law on behalf, led russia to executive to a window. [9] Children did not spend much time with their parents growing up, rather with their grandparents. [3] Upon reporting his sighting back to the others, they decide to kill the man and steal his horses. The next day, well armed Peigans entered the battle and defeated the Cree, approximately 200-400 Crees died in the battle. Treaties were signed with First Nations in Canada between 1871 and 1921. [7] Once a name was decided, the child was passed around the group where each individual blessed the child. Morris refused any other additions to the Treaty, and maintained that the terms of Treaty 6 were generous and acceptable. Using this discontent, Chief Wandering Spirit gathered support and began to purses more aggressive policies towards settlers. On September 5, 1876, the Treaty party arrived ten days earlier than expected at Fort Pitt, (located between Fort Carlton and Fort Edmonton) to meet the River First Nations. The Treaty of Waitangi Claudia Orange Google Books. [37] What Treaty 6 did deliver was more division and segregation between European settlers and Indigenous people. The treaty boundaries extend across central portions of present-day Alberta and Saskatchewan. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Our Legacy Treaties: Negotiations and Rights, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada Typed Transcript of Treaty 6 Text, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada Map of Canada in 1876, The Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations Learn More About Treaty 6 Indigenous Peoples, The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan Treaty 6. Chief Sweet Grass (Weekaskookwasayin) signed Treaty 6 on September 9, 1876, with the Fort Pitt Indians, but was killed about six months later. The amount of power wielded by Cree chiefs varied from person to person. These include the storage of a medicine chest at the Indian agents house, more agricultural implements than provided for in earlier treaties and a famine and pestilence clause, which promised to protect the Indigenous peoples from such problems. The peoples of Treaty 6 also argue that the treaty needs to be interpreted in a modern context. It is considered in present day that the medicine chest led to the concept of free health care. There are 1,577 registered members, 537 of whom live on reserve. This was met with approval from the people. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. There typically was a large number of warriors within a band and these men held extremely high prestige. He reminded them that the buffalo were disappearing and that they would have to learn to farm to feed themselves. He raised the stem to the heavens, then slowly turned to the north, south, east, and west - presenting the stem at each point. 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. [3] There is no record of his father. [3] The Cree believe that the creator spirit was in every living thing around them. Chiefs Ahtukukoop and Mistawasis held more influence in Cree political and social circles than Pitikwahanapiwiyin and, as a result, the other chiefs and leaders agreed that entering into a treaty with the Crown was the best option. It remained to be seen whether it was a bad omen. Fearing starvation and unrest, many of the initially hesitant chiefs signed adhesions to the treaty in the years to come, including Minahikosis (who signed in July 1879) and Mistahimaskwa (who signed on 8 December 1882 at Fort Walsh). 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 was unable to hold the band together, which began to splinter. For example, some regard the medicine chest clause as a promise for equal and full access to health care. Our team will be reviewing your submission and get back to you with any further questions. The same significant ceremony of the pipe stem opened the meeting with the participants on September 7, 1876. Chief Sweetgrass (Weekaskookwasayin) signed Treaty 6 on September 9, 1876, with the Fort Pitt Indians but was killed about six months later. Much reserve land was lost to dishonest deals by the Indian agents. Even more important, the Chiefs felt that the Treaties would impose European values on the Cree. An example of this would be when Sweet Grass and Big Bear assembled 18 Cree warriors that attempted to raid Blackfoot hunting territory. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like 3 periods of Arctic settlement, Innovations of Dorset and Thule Culture, Characteristics of Thule Culture and more. The father of the child would ask Cree Shamans with spiritual powers to help with the naming process. Mistahimaskwa was frustrated and surprised that the other chiefs had not waited for him to return before concluding the negotiations. [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. The pipe stem was presented to the Governor and Treaty Commissioners where they stroked the stem. Its used to categorize all Indigenous Peoples from across Canada as one big homogenized group. [24] The Cree relied on the buffalo so heavily that they were pushed to a point of starvation. (Dodson 14). [6], Due to the fact that Sweet Grass' Mother was captured by a Cree tribe, it is unknown if she partook in the established birthing and naming traditions. Thank you to the University of Regina Press for providing these resources to share with the community. They continued to deliberate for the next two days. Before negotiations began, the Cree performed a sacred pipe ceremony, in which the commissioners participated. In 1871, a delegation of Chiefs went to Fort Edmonton to meet with Chief Factor W.J. 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. Sweet Grass through both policy and action would have a lasting impact on the Plains Cree. If the chief remained silent, the murderer was usually executed by the victim's relatives. The Treaty promised to give the Tlicho annual payments and services, like medical care, education and old age care. It does not store any personal data. Sweet Grass had also requested that the government provide supplies as needed so that they may sustain themselves when traditional hunting was not an option. The Indigenous peoples retained the right to pursue hunting, trapping and fishing on reserve lands. 3 What happened when Chief Sweetgrass signed Treaty 6? Mistawasis had one last request and wanted to know how the Half-Breeds would be taken care of, as some had lived amongst them. However, this likely happened because he was born in a Cree Camp. In the west, Ruperts land was owned by the Hudsons Bay Company and the North West Territories was owned by the British Crown. [3] Sweet Grass and Big Bear had formed a war party for this exact purpose as stated previously. [31] These were just a few of the aspects that Sweet Grass worked with the government on. The group would then move to capture Fort Pit. Treaty 6 included terms that had not been incorporated into Treaties 1 to 5, including a medicine chest at the house of the Indian agent on the reserve, protection from famine and pestilence, more agricultural implements, and on-reserve education. Sharing land alongside Europeans c. Legal ownership over all territories d. Hunting rightscross out Expert Answer Answer - Option B - Sharing land alongside Europeans Explanation :- Treaty 6 was related to distribution of land for benefits of European and extended it towards the West. a. Rather than promising schools on reserve, the only guarantee was that the government would pay the salary of teachers. Beardy was not granted his request to have the treaty payments made at the site he had envisioned, Morris did not want to accommodate Beardy and viewed his lack of participation in the negotiations as an inconvenience to the process (Stonechild and Waiser 22). Treaty 6 included terms that had not been incorporated into Treaties 1 to 5, including a medicine chest at the house of the Indian agent on the reserve, protection from famine and pestilence, more agricultural implements, and on-reserve education. Claiming lands for the sake of the tribe b. 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. I for one will take the hand that is offered. Ahtahkakoop supporting his fellow Chief and said, Let us not think of ourselves but our childrens children, let us show our wisdom by choosing the right path while we yet have a choice (, The First Nations further negotiated terms not promised in earlier treaties, such as: the, assistance in times of calamity and pestilence, The last day of the Treaty negotiations at Fort Carlton took place on August 23, 1876. Interpreter, Peter Erasmus, now employed with the government and travelling with the Treaty party translated the terms of the Treaty signed. The event was organized to commemorate the signing of Treaty No. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. The treaty boundaries extend across central portions of present-day Alberta and Saskatchewan. 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). 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. Who negotiated Treaty 6? There were many subsequent adhesions to the treaty by individual bands, well into the 20th century. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Created in 1993, the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations represents the various band governments of Treaty 6. He died January 17, 1888 and is buried in the Poundmaker cemetery. Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Mtis. A force of North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) was sent to the area to maintain order. He attempted to take Sweet Grasss pistol and it accidentally discharged, resulting in his death. 6 Recognition Day in 2013. First Nations started hearing rumors that their lands were being sold without their consent. First Nations had practiced their own governance and other systems for thousands of years. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Why was Treaty 6 so important? To the Canadian delegation, the only legally binding contracts were what was written into the treaty. 10 How did Treaty 6 affect the First Nations? Gov. After meeting with the First Nation Chiefs, Christie wrote a letter at their request and on their behalf to Lieutenant-Governor Archibald to state what the leaders were asking for and their concerns. After explaining the treaty terms, the Duck Lake chiefs and headmen also signed the treaty. Prime Minister John A. Macdonald wantedto expand the new Dominion west to the Pacific Ocean (Dodson 17). What was chief mistawasis Role in Treaty 6? Sweet Grass (also Sweetgrass or Wikaskokiseyin or Wihaskokiseyin) ( c. 1815 - on or shortly before January 11, 1877) was a chief of the Cree in the 1860s and 1870s in western Canada. Treaty 6 was the biggest piece of legislation between Plains Cree Leaders and the colonial government. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This has led to conflict over the clauses of the agreement. [26] Newcomers would receive a peaceful co-existence with First Nations people, access to lands for settlement, farming, railways, and future industrial development. The meaning of land and the surrender of it was not entirely understood by those who were signing the agreement. [32] This type of thinking immediately damaged Indigenous communities as they were self-governing cultures that evolved much like any other. Chief Sweet Grass (Weekaskookwasayin) signed Treaty 6 on September 9, 1876, with the Fort Pitt Indians, but was killed about six months later. Harold Cardinal and Walter Hildebrand, Treaty Elders of Saskatchewan: Our Dream is that Our Peoples Will One Day Be Clearly Recognized As Nations (2000). Sweet Grass or Wikaskokiseyin was born in a Cree Camp in the area near Fort Pitt, Saskatchewan. per family of five. Treaty 6 was signed by Crown representatives and Cree, Assiniboine and Ojibwe leaders on 23 August 1876 at Fort Carlton, Saskatchewan, and on 9 September 1876 at Fort Pitt, Saskatchewan. Wandering Spirit stayed in power for the duration of the uprising while Big Bear counselled for peace and protecting the white prisoners. Treaty 6 was signed in 1876. [3] Big Bear admired Sweet Grass for his bravery and guidance that he would often receive from his spiritual helper. In August 1876, among the first to arrive at Fort Carlton were Chiefs Ahatahkakoop, Mistawasis and their followers (, Gov. [7] From this moment on, a special bond was formed between the child and whoever named them. In 2013, the City of Edmonton created Treaty No. We invite you to come and see us and to speak with us. What is the difference between Treaty 6 and 7? 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. Are Siksika Blackfoot? [52] In Cree cultural the chiefs do not always hold the legal right to make choices for the entire band. [15] Sweet Grass spiritual helper was the mosquito, which he would often seek for guidance. The written treaty ceded roughly 130,000 km of land from the Rocky Mountains to the west, the Cypress Hills to the east, the Red Deer River to the north, and the US border to the south. The talks then adjourned, and the Indigenous leaders spoke in council for the next two days. One of the requests that Sweet Grass made to the government was to teach the Cree better farming techniques. In the face of survival, the Cree started to assemble and meet with one another to discuss their approach to the government. 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. [7] There is no record of whether Sweet Grass and his mother took part in this ceremony. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT3EjLPW2uw. By this time, the only known buffalo herds left were located in the Cypress Hills. On 31 March 1958, the Department of Indian Affairs enfranchised the entire Michel Callihoo band, meaning that they lost their legal rights as status Indians in exchange for other rights, such as voting (see Indian; Indigenous Suffrage). The reserve was established as part of Treaty 6 when Chief Sweetgrass (Weekaskookwasayin) signed Treaty 6 on September 9, 1876. His brother believed that they had given too much to the government in the treaty. Popular. He attempted to take Sweet Grass's pistol and it accidentally discharged, resulting in his death.[5]. [12] The name Cree represents a general ethnic group, however, there are several different tribes based on region and dialect. The First Nations knew that treaties were being negotiated to the east of them and wanted to speak with the government about their future (Miller, Ray and Tough 135). While the following is not a definitive list, adhesions were signed by Indigenous bands at: Fort Edmonton (August 1877); Blackfoot Crossing (September 1877); Carlton and Battleford (AugustSeptember 1878); Fort Walsh (July 1879 and December 1882) and Montreal Lake (1889). I want all my brother Sweetgrass asks. The significance of the ceremony was an invitation to the Creator to witness the proceedings and provide guidance; it also signified that it committed the participants into telling the truth. On August 22, 1921, Chief Monfwi, representing all Tlicho, signed Treaty 11 with Canada. Morris reassured the First Nations that their way of life and survival would not be disturbed and guaranteed well into the future. Big Bear and Little Pine also believed in the sovereignty of their own Nations and were opposed to the idea of another Nation governing and applying their laws to them. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". They were mostly Woods Cree and Dene and had not been influenced by Christianity and farming as the others who signed Treaty at Fort Carlton (, Chief James Seenum, a Woods Cree leader from Whitefish Lake requested a larger territory for his reserve, but he was denied (. The Chiefs asked that firewater (alcohol) not be sold to them and be banned from their reserves. 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. The Cree made it clear that they would not tolerate any trespassers on their lands. Sweet Grass understood the sacrifices that needed to be made for the bettering of the band. As stated previously, part of what the Cree wanted to be reflected by the terms of Treaty 6 was an end to the factionalism that had pitted the younger members of the Cree community against the older Indigenous Leadership.

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