Treaty Relationships

The treaty relationship was “entered” into upon a hidden way by the Canadian government through pressure and time restraints. During the process of communicating about treaties, there were many promises made which were never successfully “promised” as they had stated. The agreement of treaties and creating a treaty was a very rushed process, which was definitely done on purpose in lieu of Indigenous people who are living in Canada. While treaty discussions were undergoing, there was no recognition of the Indigenous people living in Canada complaints for its creation to be sacred to Indigenous people residing in Canada. This was weighed down more on one end, the Government of Canada, than the other as Indigenous people really did not get a say as it was rushed very quickly, so those could benefit off of the lands and trading before others could join in resistance with the Indigenous people who were already residing in Canada. Indigenous people are continuously disrespected, even in today’s time, as Indigenous people consider lands as a sacred place in which was a place for peace that the government did not accept, let alone care. As stated by John Taylor, Alexander Morris was often very “anxious to get on with an explanation of the benefits” (Taylor, 1985, p. 22) and was known to eagerly rush the treaty process to ensure Indigenous people could not gain resistance back against them. In today’s time, treaties are still very disrespected and are not being completely recognized, specifically from non-Indigenous people. Sadly, the lives of Indigenous people residing in Canada have been and still are being affected by the actions of authorities and non-Indigenous people. An example being residential schools being put into place, and the lands being taken from those who were positively taking care of it long before. It is truly devastating how the lives of Indigenous people have been drastically changing, and still are changing due to others’ harmful actions.

References:

Taylor, John L. (1985) Treaty Research Report Treaty Four (1874). Treaties and Historical Research Centre & Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.