User:ClaireFra/Treaty

Canada
Colonization in Canada saw a number of treaties signed between European settlers and local First Nations. Historic Canadian treaties tend to fall into three broad categories: commercial, alliance, and territorial. Commercial treaties first emerged in the 17th century and were agreements made between the European fur trading companies and the local First Nations. The Hudson’s Bay Company, a British trading company located in what is now Northern Ontario, signed numerous commercial treaties during this period. Alliance treaties, commonly referred to as “treaties of peace, friendship and alliance” emerged in the late 17th to early 18th century. Finally, territorial treaties dictating land rights were signed between 1760 and 1923. The Royal Proclamation of 1763 accelerated the treaty-making process and provided the Crown with access to large amounts of land occupied by the First Nations. The Crown and 364 First Nations signed 70 treaties that are recognized by the Government of Canada and represent over 600,000 First Nation individuals. The treaties are as follows:


 * Treaties of Peace and Neutrality (1701-1760)
 * Peace and Friendship Treaties (1725-1779)
 * Upper Canada Land Surrenders and the Williams Treaties (1764-1862/1923)
 * Robinson Treaties and Douglas Treaties (1850-1854)
 * The Numbered Treaties (1871-1921)

Treaty Perceptions
There is evidence that “although both Indigenous and European Nations engaged in treaty-making before contact with each other, the traditions, beliefs, and worldviews that defined concepts such as “treaties” were extremely different”. The Indigenous understanding of treaties is based on traditional culture and values. Maintaining healthy and equitable relationships with other nations, as well as the environment, is paramount. Gdoo-naaganinaa, a historic treaty between the Nishnaabeg nation and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy is an example of how First Nations approach treaties. Under Gdoo-naaganinaa, also referred-to in English as Our Dish, the neighbouring nations acknowledged that while they were separate nations they shared the same ecosystem or Dish. It was agreed that the nations would respectably share the land, not interfering with the other nation’s sovereignty while also not monopolizing environmental resources. First Nations agreements, such as the Gdoo-naaganigaa, are considered “living treaties”’ that must be upheld continually and renewed over time. European settlers in Canada had a different perception of treaties. Treaties were not a living, equitable agreement but rather a legal contract over which the future creation of Canadian law would later rely on. As time passed, the settlers did not think it necessary to abide by all treaty agreements. A review of historic treaties reveals that the European settler understanding is the dominant view portrayed in Canadian treaties.

Treaties Today
Canada today, recognizes 25 additional treaties called Modern Treaties. These treaties represent the relationships between 97 Indigenous groups which includes over 89,000 people. The treaties have been instrumental in strengthening Indigenous stronghold in Canada by providing the following (as organized by the Government of Canada) :


 * Indigenous ownership over 600,000 km² of land (almost the size of Manitoba)
 * capital transfers of over $3.2 billion
 * protection of traditional ways of life
 * access to resource development opportunities
 * participation in land and resources management decisions
 * certainty with respect to land rights in round 40% of Canada's land mass
 * associated self-government rights and political recognition