Treaties Recognition Week

Treaties Recognition Week
Posted on 11/01/2020
Graphic for Treaties Recognition WeekGraphic for Treaties Recognition Week

November 1-7 is Treaties Recognition Week. This annual event honours the importance of treaties and helps students and residents of Ontario learn more about treaty rights and relationships.

We at Kenora Catholic reside on Treaty 3 territory, which spans 14,245,000 hectares. Negotiations for the treaty began in 1871. The treaty was signed on October 3, 1873. Not all bands were able to attend the signing, so between 1873 and 1875 several adhesions were made to collect all the signatures.

Treaty #3 is unique for its inclusion of the Métis. Treaty #3 is the only numbered treaty where the Métis collectively signed an adhesion. This adhesion acknowledged the Métis as a distinct indigenous group.

The terms and text of Treaty #3 set precedents for the 8 numbered treaties that followed and was the catalyst for amendments to Treaties #1 and #2. Although the indigenous signatories of Treaties #1 and #2 were verbally guaranteed provisions of agricultural implements, clothing, and animals, they did not find these promises in the written terms of their treaties. Once the federal government included these terms in the written version of Treaty #3, the signatories of Treaties #1 and #2 asked for the same. The government also raised the annual payments given to the people of Treaties #1 and #2 to better reflect those of Treaty #3. After its signing, Treaty #3 became the standard by which the rest of the numbered treaties were modeled.

Grand Council Treaty #3 is the political and administrative body that represents the 28 signatories to the treaty. Of the 28 signatories, 26 are in northwestern Ontario and 2 are in Manitoba.

In 1875 the Chiefs negotiated, among other things, that British “business” would be allowed within the entire territory, and that both the land and resources would be shared between Anishinaabe and the British as “brothers.”

The Métis Nation of Ontario operates as the government of rights-bearing Métis and communities throughout Ontario.

By learning more about our collective treaty rights and obligations, we can create greater understanding and nurture these relationships.

To learn more visit;

Grande Council Treaty #3

Métis Nation of Ontario

Ontario.ca/treaties

anishinabek.ca

Map of Treaty #3
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