TREATY No. 10 AND REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS
LAYOUT IS NOT EXACTLY
LIKE ORIGINAL
TRANSCRIBED FROM:
Reprinted from the
edition of 1907 by
©
Roger duhamel, f.r.s.c.
queen's printer and controller of stationery
ottawa, 1966
cat. No.: ci 72-1066
iand publication no. Qs-2048-000-ee-a-11
ORDER IN COUNCIL SETTING
UP COMMISSION
FOR TREATY No. 10
P.C. No. 1459
On a Report dated
12th July 1906, from the Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, stating
that the aboriginal title has not been extinguished in the greater portion
of that part of the Province of Saskatchewan which lies north of the
54th parallel of latitude and in a small adjoining area in Alberta;
that the Indians and Half-breeds of that territory are similarly situated
to those whose country lies immediately to the south and west, whose
claims have already been extinguished by, in the case of those who are
Indians, a payment of a gratuity and annuity and the setting aside of
lands as reserves, and in the case of those who are Half-breeds, by
the issue of scrip; and they have from time to time pressed their claims
for settlement on similar lines; that it is in the public interest that
the whole of the territory included within the boundaries of the Provinces
of Saskatchewan and Alberta should be relieved of the claims of the
aborigines; and that $12,000.00 has been included in the estimates for
expenses in the making of a treaty with Indians and in settling the
claims of the Half-breeds and for paying the usual gratuities to the
Indians.
The Minister recommends
as follows:
- That a Treaty
be made with the Indians of the aforesaid territory, which is situated
partly in the Province of Saskatchewan and partly in the Province
of Alberta, and lying to the east of Treaty 8, and to the north of
Treaties 5 and 6, and the addition to Treaty 6, which territory contains,
approximately, an area of 85,000 square miles; and that the Treaty
provide:
- for the setting
aside of reserves of an area not to exceed one square mile for
each family of five for such number of families as may elect to
reside on reserves, or in that proportion for larger or smaller
families, and for such Indian families or individual Indians as
prefer to live apart from band reserves, the setting aside of
lands in severalty to the extent of 160 acres for each Indian
with a proviso as to non-alienation without the consent of the
Governor in Council;
- for the payment
at the time of the making of the Treaty of $32.00 in cash to each
Chief, and $22.00 to each headman, and $12.00 to every other Indian
of whatever age, and the payment every year thereafter of $25.00
to each Chief, $15.00 to each headman and $5.00 to every other
Indian of whatever age;
- for the making
of such provision as may from time to time be deemed advisable
for the education of the Indian children; and
- for the affording
of such assistance as may be found necessary or desirable to advance
the Indians in farming or stock-raising or other work.
- That the Half-breeds
of the territory aforesaid be granted scrip redeemable to the amount
of $240.00 in payment for Dominion Land or locatable for 240 acres
of Dominion Land in the form and according to the rules followed in
the issue of scrip to the Half-breeds in the territory covered by
Treaty 8, which are as follows:
- Every Half-breed
resident in the territory to be covered by the proposed Treaty
at the time of the making thereof whose claim has not been extinguished
either by the issue of scrip to himself or his parents or otherwise
to be granted scrip as aforesaid for land or money as he, or his
parent or guardian, if he be under eighteen years of age, may
elect;
- The extinguishment
of the claim of one parent shall not be held to debar from scrip
any Half-breed who is a resident of the said territory at the
time of the making of the Treaty;
- In case of
Half-breeds whose claims were previously extinguished and who
may be residents of the said territory those of their children
born in the territory or in any ceded portion of the North West
outside the old boundaries of Manitoba between the 15th of July,
1870, and the end of the year 1885 are, if they have not previously
received scrip, to be recognized as entitled to scrip, as they
would have been recognized had their claims been presented to
the Commission appointed to dispose of such claims;
- The certificates
for scrip issued in favour of Half-breeds under eighteen years
of age shall be delivered to the father, if he be alive, and if
not to the mother or guardian.
The Minister further
recommends that James Andrew Joseph McKenna, of the City of Winnipeg,
in the Province of Manitoba, be appointed Commissioner, to make the
proposed Treaty with the Indians of the territory described herein,
and to hear and determine the claims of the Half-breeds therein and
issue scrip as aforesaid to those of them whom he may find to be entitled;
Mr. McKenna to be allowed in addition to his regular salary extra remuneration
at the rate of $5.00 per diem.
The
Committee submit the same for approval.
WILFRID
LAURIER
RATIFICATION OF TREATY
No. 10
P.C. No. 2490
On a Memorandum
dated 7th November, 1907, the Superintendent General of Indian Affairs,
submitting herewith for Your Excellency's consideration Treaty No. 10
made in 1906 by the Commissioner, James Andrew Joseph McKenna, Esquire,
who was appointed to negotiate the same with the Chipewyan, Cree and
other Indian inhabitants of the territory situated partly in the Province
of Saskatchewan and partly in the Province of Alberta and lying to the
east of Treaty No. 8 and to the north of Treaties Nos. 5 and 6 and the
addition to Treaty No. 6 described in the said Treaty.
The Minister also
submits adhesions to the said Treaty, taken by Thomas Alexander Borthwick,
Esquire, who was appointed a Commissioner to take the same during the
summer of 1907 from such of the Indians of the Tribes above referred
to as were not met with by Commissioner McKenna.
The Minister recommends
that the said Treaty, and the adhesions thereto, be approved by Your
Excellency in Council; the original Treaty and adhesions to be returned
to the Department of Indian Affairs and the copy thereof to be Kept
of record in the Privy Council Office.
The Committee submit
the same for approval accordingly.
WILFRID
LAURIER
REPORT OF FIRST COMMISSIONER
FOR TREATY No. 10.
OTTAWA,
January 18, 1907.
The Hon. Frank
Oliver,
Superintendent
General of Indian Affairs,
Ottawa.
SIR, --- I have
the honour to transmit herewith the treaty which, under the commission
issued to me July 20, 1906, I made with the Chipewyan Indians of English
River and Clear Lake and the Crees of Canoe Lake, in the northern part
of Saskatchewan.
The arrangements
which I made for meeting the Indians, of which they were advised, provided
that the first meeting was to be at Portage la Loche on September 3,
but unfavourable weather and the action of the Indians themselves made
it impossible to carry out my programme.
On reaching Isle
à la Crosse on August 26, en route to Portage la Loche, I found that
all the Chipewyans from English River and some ten families from Clear
Lake were gathered there, waiting for the commission, which was announced
to be at that point on September 13. These Indians urged strongly that
they be treated with at once, on the ground that they had been gathered
there for several days, that their supplies were getting low, that it
was necessary that they should return to their hunting grounds without
further delay, that they had come long distances, and that they would
have to travel far before reaching their winter quarters.
I decided to accede
to their request, and met them on August 28, 1906.
It appeared for
a time as if there would be some considerable difficulty in effecting
a settlement on the lines of the treaty, for it was evident from the
trend of the talk of the leaders among the Indians that there had been
at work an influence which tended to make them regard the treaty as
a means of enslaving them. I was able to disabuse their minds of this
absurd notion and to make it clear that the government's object was
simply to do for them what had been done for neighbouring Indians when
the progress of trade or settlement began to interfere with the untrammelled
exercise of their aboriginal privileges as hunters.
By the end of the
day, the treaty was signed and the annuity and gratuity moneys paid.
The number of Indians
paid at this point was:
The chief of the
Clear Lake band, who was empowered to speak for his people, requested
that the remainder of the band be paid at Buffalo Narrows, where they
would gather to meet me on the return journey from Portage la Loche.
After treating
with these Indians, I left Isle à la Crosse on August 30 for Portage
la Loche, at which point I was due on September 3; but for the reasons
given above, I did not reach there until the 5th.
The people at this
point were all half-breeds and were dealt with as such.
On the 8th of the
same month, I left for la Loche mission, across la Loche lake, a distance
of nine miles, where more half-breeds had to be met and dealt with.
There were at this point three aged Chipewyan women who desired to be
attached to the Clear Lake band, and I entered them as members and paid
them treaty.
Having completed
my work at la Loche mission on the 11th, I started on my return journey
to Isle à la Crosse, reaching Buffalo Narrows on the evening of the
16th. The chief of the Clear Lake band and those of his people who had
not yet been paid treaty were gathered here. I met them the following
day; found them satisfied with the action of their chief in becoming
a party to the treaty, and paid the gratuity and annuity.
The number of Indians
paid at this point, including three members of the band at Bull's House,
was: --- 110 Indians at $12, $1,320.
At the request
of the chief, the appointment of headmen was deferred until next treaty
payments, as the Indians were not then prepared to make their selections.
After completing
the work at Buffalo Narrows, I pushed on to Isle à la Crosse, a distance
of fifty-five miles, arriving there the same night. I met the Cree Indians
of Canoe Lake the next day and explained to them all the stipulations
contained in the treaty. I secured their adhesion on September l9.
The number of this
band is eighty-two, consisting of one chief, two headmen and seventy-nine
other Indians; the amount paid was $1,024.
The next point
of destination was Stanley, where I was scheduled to meet the Indians
on October 8; but between my leaving and returning to Isle à la Crosse
a report came to the Hudson's Bay Company to the effect that the streams
were very shallow and that travel would, therefore, be so very difficult
and slow that in all probability our party would be frozen in and would
have to remain at Stanley until dog trains could be procured. This report
was quite confirmed by the information which Messrs. Revillon Freres
had from that part of the country, and of which their manager, Monsieur
Benard, very kindly apprised me. From the report it also appeared that,
even if we made the trip, it would be impossible for the Indians from
the northeastern portion of the country to be gathered there, and that
there were at Stanley and in its immediate vicinity only a few half-breed
families who had had their claims settled before they migrated to that
region. I therefore decided to cancel the appointment, and sent notice
to that effect to the people, assuring them at the same time that they
would be visited at a future date, of which they would be duly notified.
As the discussions
which took place with the bands treated with were much on the same lines,
I shall confine myself to a general statement of their import.
There was a marked absence of the old Indian style of oratory, the Indians confining themselves
to asking questions and making brief arguments. They all demanded even
more liberal terms than were granted to Indians treated with in past
years, the chief of the English River band going so far as to claim
payment of 'arrears' from the year when the first treaty was made; some
expected to be entirely fed by the government, after the making of the
treaty; all asked for assistance in seasons of distress; and it was
strongly urged that the old and indigent who were no longer able to
hunt and trap and were consequently often in destitute circumstances,
should be cared for by the government.
There was a general
expression of fear that the making of the treaty would be followed by
the curtailment of their hunting and fishing privileges, and the necessity
of not allowing the lakes and the rivers to be monopolized or depleted
by commercial fishing was emphasized.
There was evidenced
a marked desire to secure educational privileges for their children.
In this connection and speaking for the Indians generally, the chief
of the English River band insisted that in the carrying out of the government's
Indian educational policy among them there should be no interference
with the system of religious schools now conducted by the mission, but
that public aid should be given for improvement and extension along
the lines already followed.
The chief of the
Canoe Lake band stated that there were about twenty-five children of
school age in his band, and asked that a day school be established at
Canoe Lake for their benefit and that it be put under the management
of a woman teacher.
There was also
a demand made for a few head of cattle to be given to those of the Indians
who wished to go into the industry of stock-raising.
The Indians all
agreed to have one place of payment in the future; but made it a condition
that the payments should be held about the middle of June of each year,
as that is the only time at which the gathering for annuity payments
would not interfere with their avocations to an extent that the payment
would be no adequate compensation for. They selected Isle à la Crosse
as the place of payment.
They further requested
that medicines be furnished, and made an earnest appeal for the appointment
of a resident medical man.
In my reply I convinced
them that such a claim as they put forward for what they called 'arrears'
had never before been heard of, and that I could not for a moment recognize
any obligation on the government's part except such as would be put
upon it in virtue of the execution of the treaty. I pointed out to them
that the government could not undertake to maintain Indians in idleness;
that the same means of earning a livelihood would continue after the
treaty was made as existed before it; and that Indians would be expected
to make as good use of them in the future as in the past. I stated that
the government was always ready to assist Indians in actual destitution;
that in times of distress they would, without any special stipulation
in the treaty, receive such assistance as it was usual to give in order
to prevent starvation among them, and that the attention of the government
would be called to the necessity of some special provision being made
for assisting the old and indigent who were unable to work and dependent
on charity for subsistence.
I guaranteed that
the treaty would not lead to any forced interference with their mode
of life. I explained to them that, whether treaty was made or not, they
were subject to the law, bound to obey it and liable to punishment for
any infringement thereof; that it was designed for the protection of
all and must be respected by all the inhabitants of the country, irrespective
of colour or origin; and that, in requiring them to abide by it, they
were only being required to do the duty imposed upon all the people
throughout the Dominion of Canada. I dwelt upon the importance, in their
own interest, of the observance of the laws respecting the protection
of fish and game.
As to education,
the Indians were assured that there was no need for special stipulation
over and above the general provision in the treaty, as it was the policy
of the government to provide in every part of the country as far as
circumstances would permit, for the education of the Indian children,
and that the law provided for schools for Indians maintained and assisted
by the government being conducted as to religious auspices in accordance
with the wishes of the Indians.
It was explained
that the assistance in farming and ranching mentioned in the treaty,
is only to be given when the Indians are actually prepared to go into
those industries. It is not likely that for many years to come, there
will be a call for any but a small expenditure under these heads. It
is not probable that the Indians will, while present conditions continue,
engage in farming further than the raising of roots in a small way.
As to cattle, I stated that the agent who will be sent to make the next
treaty payments, would be asked to discuss the matter with them, but
that those only who are considered able and willing to take good care
of cattle would receive assistance in that form.
I promised that
medicines would be placed at different points in the charge of persons
to be selected by the government, and would be distributed to those
of the Indians who might require them. I showed them that it would be
practically impossible for the government to arrange for a resident
doctor owing to the Indians being so widely scattered over such an extensive
territory; but I assured them that the government would always be ready
to avail itself of any opportunity of affording medical service just
as it provided that the physician attached to the commission should
give free attendance to all Indians whom he might find in need of treatment.
In the main, the
demand will be for ammunition and twine, as the great majority of the
Indians will continue to hunt and fish for a livelihood. It does not
appear likely that the conditions of that part of Saskatchewan covered
by the treaty will be for many years so changed as to affect hunting
and trapping, and it is expected, therefore, that the great majority
of the Indians will continue in these pursuits as a means of subsistence.
The Indians were
given the option of taking reserves or land in severalty, when they
felt the need of having land set apart for them. I made it clear that
the government had no desire to interfere with their mode of life or
to restrict them to reserves and that it undertook to have land in the
proportions stated in the treaty set apart for them, when conditions
interfered with their mode of living and it became necessary to secure
them possession of land.
The Indians dealt
with are in character, habit, manner of dress and mode of living similar
to the Chipewyans and Crees of the Athabaska country. It is difficult
to draw a line of demarcation between those who classed themselves as
Indians and those who elected to be treated with as half-breeds. Both
dress alike and follow the same mode of life. It struck me that the
one group was, on the whole, as well able to provide for self-support
as the other.
After leaving Green
Lake, our route was by rivers and lakes and afforded not much opportunity
for forming an opinion of the country ceded and of its resources. From
our point of view, the country appeared flat. There were extensive stretches
of hay-lands along the rivers and wooded heights about the lakes. The
waters abound in fish, which form the chief article of food.
The Isle à la Crosse
mission was founded about sixty-two years ago by Father Lafleche, who
afterwards was a prominent figure in the Quebec hierarchy, and Brother
Taché, who afterwards filled the See of St. Boniface. The church built
by them was destroyed by fire and has been replaced by another. The
building next in importance is the school conducted by the sisters.
It shows marked evidence of age externally, but is cosy within, and
the children whom I had the pleasure of meeting there, evidenced the
kindly care and careful training of the devoted women who have gone
out from the comforts of civilization to work for the betterment of
the natives of the north. The priest's house is a small one. Its only
door opens into a large room which occupies the greater part of the
building and which is the common gathering place of the Indians and
half-breeds, who sit and smoke with an ease that seemed born of long
habit of free intercourse with those who have undertaken the cure of
their souls.
The mission is
about opposite the company's post. It is close to the shore. The site
is rather flat and for miles on three sides stretches a bald prairie,
though we were told that the mission when founded was on the fringe
of the forest. Whatever it may have been, it is no longer a desirable
situation for a boarding school, and a new one has been erected at Rivière
la Plonge, some thirty miles south of the mission. The building is one
hundred feet by sixty-two feet, and is two and a half storeys high.
It was finished when I visited it. The site is a delightful one on a
rising ground from the river, which here breaks into a cataract that
the Oblate brothers have harnessed for power purposes. They cut the
logs, and, with the harnessed river, sawed them into lumber, with which
they built the school, a splendid monument to their mechanical skill,
industry and devotion. When I was leaving Isle à la Crosse, the moving
of the children from the old to the new institution had begun.
Our trip was rather
a difficult one. Our transport had to be organized on short notice.
The water in the rivers was pretty low, and we encountered storms on
the lakes; but there was no ground for the report of shipwreck and loss
which unfortunately obtained currency.
I had the pleasure
of the company, on most of the inward trip, of His Lordship Bishop Pascal;
and I desire to repeat here the acknowledgment I made and the gratitude
I expressed to his lordship personally for the assistance of his influence
on my first meeting the natives of the country, which is filled with
reverence for his name because of his devoted labours.
I desire to express,
also, my appreciation of the help ever readily rendered by Major Begin,
of the Royal Northwest Mounted Police, who was in command of the escort;
by Dr. J. J. A. Lebrecque, the medical officer; by Mr. Charles Fisher,
of Duck Lake, and Mr. Charles Mair, of Ottawa, secretaries to the commission,
by the Hudson's Bay Company's chief factor, and by Mr. Angus McKay,
the officer of the company who was especially charged with the carrying
out of the transportation contract. To the men of the country on whose
labour we had so much to depend I acknowledge my obligation. They worked
long hours at paddling and rowing and poling, and endured great hardships
in tracking and walking our canoes and flat boats over the rapids and
shoals, so that I might keep my appointments. Camp was made late and
broken early. Yet there was never a complaint, but always a zestful
interest and cheerfulness as pleasant as the campfires that brightened
the night.
A detailed statement
of the Indians treated with and of the money paid is appended.
I
have the honour to be, sir
Your obedient servant,
J.A.J. McKenna,
Commissioner.
Certified
correct,
J.A.J. MCKENNA,
Commissioner, Treaty No. 10
TREATY No. 10
Articles of a treaty
made and concluded at the several dates mentioned therein, in the year
of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and six between His Most Gracious
Majesty the King of Great Britain and Ireland by His commissioner, James
Andrew Joseph McKenna, of the city of Winnipeg, in the province of Manitoba,
Esquire, of the one part, and the Chipewyan, Cree and Other Indian inhabitants
of the territory within the limits hereinafter defined and described
by their chiefs and headmen hereunto subscribed of the other part.
Whereas the Indians
inhabiting the territory hereinafter defined have, pursuant to notice
given by His Majesty's said commissioner in the year 1906, been convened
to meet His Majesty's said commissioner representing His Majesty's government
of the Dominion of Canada at certain places in the said territory in
this present year 1906 to deliberate upon certain matters of interest
to His Most Gracious Majesty on the one part and the said Indians of
the other.
And whereas the
said Indians have been notified and informed by His Majesty's said commissioner
that it is His Majesty's desire to open for settlement, immigration,
trade, travel, mining, lumbering and such other purposes as to His Majesty
may seem meet, a tract of country bounded and described as hereinafter
mentioned and to obtain the consent thereto of his Indian subjects inhabiting
the said tract and to make a treaty and arrange with them sot that there
may be peace and good will between them and His Majesty's other subjects,
and that His Indian people may know and be assured of what allowances
they are to count upon and receive from His Majesty's bounty and benevolence.
And whereas the
Indians of the said tract, duly convened in council at the respective
points named hereunder and being requested by His Majesty's said commissioner
to name certain chiefs and headmen who should be authorized on their
behalf to conduct such negotiations and sign any treaty to be founded
thereon and to become responsible to His Majesty for the faithful performance
by their respective bands of such obligations as shall be assumed by
them, the said Indians have therefore acknowledged for that purpose
the several chiefs and headmen who have subscribed hereto.
And whereas the
said commissioner has proceeded to negotiate a treaty with the Chipewyan,
Cree and other Indians inhabiting the said territory hereinafter defined
and described and the same has been agreed upon and concluded by the
respective bands at the dates mentioned hereunder;
Now therefore the
said Indians do hereby cede, release, surrender and yield up to the
government of the Dominion of Canada for His Majesty the King and His
successors for ever all their rights, titles and privileges whatsoever
to the lands included within the following limits, that is to say:
All that territory
situated partly in the province of Saskatchewan and partly in the province
of Alberta, and lying to the east of Treaty Eight and to the north of
Treaties Five, Six and the addition to Treaty Six, containing approximately
an area of eighty-five thousand eight hundred (85,800) square miles
and which may be described as follows:
Commencing at the
point where the northern boundary of Treaty Five intersects the eastern
boundary of the province of Saskatchewan; thence northerly along the
said eastern boundary four hundred and ten miles, more or less, to the
sixtieth parallel of latitude and northern boundary of the said province
of Saskatchewan; thence west along the said parallel one hundred and
thirty miles, more or less, to the eastern boundary of Treaty Eight;
thence southerly and westerly following the said eastern boundary of
Treaty Eight to its intersection with the northern boundary of Treaty
Six; thence easterly along the said northern boundary of Treaty Six
to its intersection with the western boundary of the addition to Treaty
Six; thence northerly along the said western boundary to the northern
boundary of the said addition; thence easterly along the said northern
boundary to the eastern boundary of the said addition; thence southerly
along the said eastern boundary to its intersection with the northern
boundary of Treaty Six; thence easterly along the said northern boundary
and the northern boundary of Treaty Five to the point of commencement.
And also all their
rights, titles and privileges whatsoever as Indians to all and any other
lands wherever situated in the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta
and the Northwest Territories or any other portion of the Dominion of
Canada.
To have and to
hold the same to His Majesty the King and His successors for ever.
And His Majesty
the King hereby agrees with the said Indians that they shall have the
right to pursue their usual vocations of hunting, trapping and fishing
throughout the territory surrendered as heretofore described, subject
to such regulations as may from time to time be made by the government
of the country acting under the authority of His Majesty and saving
and excepting such tracts as may be required or as may be taken up from
time to time for settlement, mining, lumbering, trading or other purposes.
And His Majesty
the King hereby agrees and undertakes to set aside reserves of land
for such bands as desire the same, such reserves not to exceed in all
one square mile for each family of five for such number of families
as may elect to reside upon reserves or in that proportion for larger
or smaller families; and for such Indian families or individual Indians
as prefer to live apart from band reserves His Majesty undertakes to
provide land in severalty to the extent of one hundred and sixty (160)
acres for each Indian, the land not to be alienable by the Indian for
whom it is set aside in severalty without the consent of the Governor
General in Council of Canada, the selection of such reserves and land
in severalty to be made in the manner following, namely, the Superintendent
General of Indian Affairs shall depute and send a suitable person to
determine and set apart such reserves and lands, after consulting with
the Indians concerned as to the locality which may be found suitable
and open for selection.
Provided, however,
that His Majesty reserves the right to deal with any settlers within
the bounds of any lands reserved for any band or bands as He may see
fit; and also that the aforesaid reserves of land, or any interest therein,
may be sold or otherwise disposed of by His Majesty's government of
Canada for the use and benefit of the Indians entitled thereto, with
their consent first had and obtained.
It is further agreed
between His Majesty and His said Indian subjects that such portions
of the reserves and lands above mentioned as may at any time be required
for public works, buildings, railways or roads of whatsoever nature
may be appropriated for such purposes by His Majesty's government of
Canada due compensation being made to the Indians for the value of any
improvements thereon, and an equivalent in land, money or other consideration
for the area so appropriated.
And with a view
to showing the satisfaction of His Majesty with the behaviour and good
conduct of His Indians and in extinguishment of all their past claims,
He hereby through His commissioner agrees to make each chief a present
of thirty-two (32) dollars in cash, to each headman twenty-two (22)
dollars and to every other Indian of whatever age of the families represented
at the time and place of payment twelve (12) dollars.
His Majesty also
agrees that next year and annually thereafter for ever He will cause
to be paid to the Indians in cash, at suitable places and dates of which
the said Indians shall be duly notified, to each chief twenty-five (25)
dollars, each headman fifteen (15) dollars and to every other Indian
of whatever age five (5) dollars.
Further His Majesty
agrees that each chief, after signing the treaty, shall receive a silver
medal and a suitable flag, and next year and every third year thereafter
each chief shall receive a suitable suit of clothing, and that after
signing the treaty each headman shall receive a bronze medal and next
year and every third year thereafter a suitable suit of clothing.
Further His Majesty
agrees to make such provision as may from time to time be deemed advisable
for the education of the Indian children.
Further His Majesty
agrees to furnish such assistance as may be found necessary or advisable
to aid and assist the Indians in agriculture or stock-raising or other
work and to make such a distribution of twine and ammunition to them
annually as is usually made to Indians similarly situated.
And the undersigned
Chipewyan, Cree and other Indian chiefs and headmen on their own behalf
and on behalf of all the Indians whom they represent do hereby solemnly
promise and engage to strictly observe this treaty in all and every
respect and to behave and conduct themselves as good and loyal subjects
of His Majesty the King.
They promise and
engage that they will in all respects obey and abide by the law; that
they will maintain peace between each other and between their tribes
and other tribes of Indians and between themselves and other of His
Majesty's subjects whether whites, Indians, half-breeds or others now
inhabiting or who may hereafter inhabit any part of the territory hereby
ceded and herein described, and that they will not molest the person
or trespass upon the property or interfere with the rights of any inhabitant
of such ceded tract or of any other district or country or interfere
with or trouble any person passing or travelling through the said tract
or any part thereof and that they will assist the officers of His Majesty
in bringing to justice and punishment any Indian offending against the
stipulations of this treaty or infringing the law in force in the country
so ceded.
In witness whereof
His Majesty's said commissioner and the chiefs and headmen have hereunto
set their hands at Isle à la Crosse this twenty-eighth day of August
in the year herein first above written.
Articles of a treaty
made and concluded at the several dates mentioned therein, in the year
of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and seven, between His Most Gracious
Majesty the King of Great Britain and Ireland by His Commissioner Thomas
Alexander Borthwick, of Mistawasis, in the province of Saskatchewan,
Esquire, of the one part, and the Chipewyan, Cree and other Indian inhabitants
of the territory within the limits hereinafter defined and described
by their chiefs and headmen hereunto subscribed of the other part.
In witness whereof
His Majesty's said commissioner and the chiefs and headmen have hereunto
set their hands at Lac du Brochet this 19th day of August, in the year
first above written.
In witness whereof
His Majesty's said commissioner and the chiefs and headmen have hereunto
set their hands at Lac du Brochet this 22nd day of August in the year
first above written.
REPORT OF SECOND COMMISSION
FOR TREATY NO. 10
Mistawasis,
Carlton Agency, October 14, 1907.
Frank Pedley, Esq.
Deputy Supt.
General of Indian Affairs,
Ottawa.
SIR, --- I have
the honour to submit my report upon the payments of their annuities
to those of the Indians of Treaty No. 10 who were treated with last
year, and also transmit herewith the treaty, which, under the authority
that devolved upon me by the commission issued to me on the 6th day
of April, 1907, I concluded with the Chipewyan Indians living in the
region of Lac du Brochet and Lac la Hache, and in the part of the district
of Keewatin adjoining the northeast corner of the province of Saskatchewan.
With the view of
keeping appointments for the payments of their annuities to the Indians
who were treated with last year at Isle à la Crosse, I proceeded from
here on June 11, and after travelling over some very bad road, I arrived
at Green Lake on the afternoon of the 15th, and got to Isle à la Crosse
at noon of Saturday, June 22, one day behind the date that was fixed
for my arrival there. Very unfavourable weather was the cause of delay.
Only the Canoe Lake band of Indians had so far assembled there to meet
me; and I at once had an interview with the chief and headmen of that
band, and it being Saturday, they asked that the paying of their annuities
be postponed until Monday, the 24th. To that request I conceded, and
accordingly they were paid on that and the following day. The Indians
of English River and Clear Lake bands not having then arrived, I began
taking evidence in connection with claims for scrip preferred by a number
of half-breeds from Souris River who did not have a chance of meeting
the commissioner of last year at Isle à la Crosse. The evidence adduced
by these applicants for scrip was continued up to the 29th, when the
English River and Clear Lake bands having fully arrived, were paid their
annuities. The 1st of July, being Dominion Day, was, at the request
of the half-breeds and Indians, observed as a holiday, and they celebrated
it with great enthusiasm; the members of the commission and other gentlemen
present heartily joining them and making their sports pecuniarily interesting
for them.
Further dealings
with the Indians and half-breeds occupied the time of the commission
up to July 3, when, upon being informed that a considerable number of
half-breeds and Indians were assembled at the Roman Catholic mission
near Portage la Loche and expecting me there, I proceeded to that place,
and after a very trying trip with rains and stormy weather, I reached
there late on the evening of July 9, and owing to the number of half-breeds
who had to be dealt with here, and the very inclement weather prevailing,
it took up to the 14th to get through with the work. In addition to
the half-breeds assembled here, I found a number of families of Indians
from Whitefish Lake, who asked very earnestly that I should pay them
their annuities. I explained to them that I could not do that, as it
was inconsistent with the rules of the department to pay Indians of
a certain treaty by the agent of another treaty. They pointed out that
it was a great hardship for them to be compelled to travel over a hundred
miles through a difficult section of the country going to Fort McMurray,
which took them five or six days to get there and the same number of
days returning to their homes. Before leaving the mission, they handed
me a petition praying that they be paid next year at Buffalo River on
Buffalo Lake, to which point they can come in less than two days from
Whitefish Lake.
On Monday morning,
July 15, I left the mission on the return trip to Isle à la Crosse,
and after an unusually favourable trip I arrived there on the 17th.
Here I was detained for five days to procure tripmen to go on to Stanley,
for which place I started on the morning of July 23 and arrived there
on the evening of August 1. Here I met some fifty heads of families
of the Lac la Ronge Indians, headed by their chief, Amos Charles, and
two of their headmen, who asked that they be paid their annuities there,
as many of them spent the summer and autumn on the Churchill river,
and in compliance with their request they were paid on the 2nd and 3rd;
the 5th and 6th were occupied taking evidence of applicants for scrip
and procuring tripmen for the Lac du Brochet trip. On the morning of
August 7 I left Stanley for the Hudson's Bay Company's post on the north
end of Lac du Brochet, and after a successful trip reached that place
on the 17th idem.
Owing to the amount
of work which devolved upon the commission that was not anticipated,
it was made impossible for me to reach this place, which was the stated
point of rendezvous with the Indians, on the date that they were notified
I was to be there to meet them; and consequently they were detained
for ten days awaiting my arrival, and which led to their running out
of provisions, they being all assembled with their families, and finding
that they were reduced to such a state, I felt that it was proper for
me to relieve their immediate necessities, and accordingly I supplied
them with a limited quantity of provisions, for which they appeared
to feel very thankful. I consider it proper that I should mention here
that considerable help was afforded these Indians whilst waiting my
arrival by Mr. A. McDermot, the Hudson's Bay Company's agent at this
place, by giving them some light work to do and paying them for it in
provisions, and likewise by the agent of the Revillon Bros.
On the morning
of August 19 I held council with the combined Indians of the Barren
Land and the Indians of Lac la Hache, the Rev. Father Turquetil acting
as interpreter, which he did on all subsequent occasions during my transactions
with the Indians here, the Chipewyan language being spoken. I explained
to them why I was sent to meet them, and after various thoughtful questions
put by the Indians bearing upon the treaty and answered by me to their
satisfaction, they asked for a short recess to discuss the terms of
the treaty more fully among themselves; which was granted them. At 2
p.m. they reassembled and the Barren Land band announced that they had
elected their chief and two headmen, and were prepared to accept the
terms of the treaty. The Lac la Hache band intimated that some of their
people were away, but would be back in a day or so, and that they would
like to have their concurrence in the matter of selecting their chief
and councillors; I consented to their waiting a day or so, if necessary,
in order to obtain the full consent of their band to their transactions.
The chief and headmen of the Barren Land band then formally signed the
treaty, and without further undue delay the payments of their gratuities
and annuities were begun to them, and were got through with at noon
on the 21st. The number of Indians treated with in this band was 232,
including:
The Lac la Hache
band assembled on the 22nd, and after the terms of the treaty were read
over to them for the second time and thoroughly explained in their own
language, they presented their elected chief and two headmen, who then
in due form signed the treaty, and the members of the band were paid
in accordance with the terms of the treaty. The number of Indians paid
in this band was 97, including:
This practically
finished the Indian work at this point, and after a number of half-breed
s'applications for scrip were received, I left this place on August
24 for Lac la Ronge, via Stanley, and on September 3, after a very unusually
expeditious trip, I arrived at the paying ground at Lac la Ronge; and
on the 4th and 5th paid the rest of the James Roberts band some 60 odd
heads of families who were not paid at Stanley.
After taking the
evidence of a number of half-breed applicants for scrip at this place,
and holding council meetings with the Indians in connection with the
surrender of their reserve, No. 106A, &c.;, I left on the 11th for Montreal
Lake, and arrived there on the 16th, and the following day paid their
annuities to the Indians of this place, the William Charles' band.
On the 18th I held
meetings with the chief and headmen of the James Roberts' band, who
accompanied me to this place, and with that of the Wm. Charles' band
combined, bearing upon the surrender of their reserve, No. 106A, when
after due deliberation, they unanimously agreed to relinquish the reserve
to the government upon the terms set forth in an agreement signed by
them on the 18th day of September, 1907; which agreement was transmitted
to the Deputy Minister of Indian Affairs on the 8th instant.
On the afternoon
of the 18th of September, the commission party left Montreal lake with
canoes for the landing on Red Deer lake, where they arrived on the 21st,
after being detained one day en route with stress of weather. At the
landing teams were taken to this place (Mistawasis) where we arrived
on the evening of September 24, ultimo; this completing an arduous trip
of over 2,000 miles by water, in canoes, and 300 miles by land, which
I have pleasure to say was performed successfully and without accident.
Concerning my staff,
I am pleased to state that I was excellently equipped, and that, in
general, a fine spirit existed amongst its members; of some of them
I cannot speak too highly. Dr. H. A. Stewart proved himself ideally
fitted for his post. Full of the kindest sympathy for the sick, he was
untiring in his labours on their behalf; a skilful physician, he was
most successful in his efforts to relieve their suffering, and won golden
opinions from all who required his services. W. J. McLean, the senior
secretary, displayed special ability in the performance of the onerous
duties of his position, his previous experience in treaty payments standing
him in good stead; while his knowledge of the French language, his long
residence as a chief factor of the Hudson's Bay Company, in the part
of the country traversed, and his personal acquaintance with many of
the applicants, materially contributed to the success of my commission.
Of the rest it
would be invidious to make personal mention, suffice to say that each
performed his duties with energy and intelligence, sacrificing rest
and comfort, and facing danger in the effort to cover distances with
the least possible loss of time.
I
have the honour to be, sir
Your obedient servant,
THOS. A. BORTHWICK,
Commissioner,
Treaty No. 10.
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