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Treaty 4
For the first four and a half days of negotiations for Treaty Four, the Saulteaux leaders refused to enter into substantive negotiations because they were upset that land, which they considered as their territory, was ‘sold’ to the Dominion of Canada by the Hudson’s Bay Company without their consent. Once negotiations were underway, Treaty Four Elders state that their forefathers agreed to share the land ‘to the depth of a plow.’ In exchange, the Queen would see that their needs were met and would protect them from the encroachment of settlement. And thus, the Crown was provided the land to enable settlement in this part of the west. For Treaty Four, also called the Qu’Appelle Treaty, livelihood was an important theme - First Nations were interested in acquiring new tools that would provide a bridge to future prosperity. Provisions for assistance with education, protection for traditional economic activity, provisions for assistance with agriculture, and annuities were included in the Treaty agreement. The Crown also undertook to set aside lands for First Nations in addition to the provisions of flags, suits and medals. |
