TreatiesTreaties

Pre-European Pre-European ContactContact

FactsFacts

Scientists believe these people first Scientists believe these people first migrated to the Americas more than migrated to the Americas more than 10,000 years ago, before the end of the 10,000 years ago, before the end of the last ice age. last ice age.

However, some Native Americans believe However, some Native Americans believe their ancestors originated in the Americas, their ancestors originated in the Americas, citing gaps in the archaeological record citing gaps in the archaeological record and oral accounts of their origins that and oral accounts of their origins that have been passed down through have been passed down through generations. generations.

The population estimation for the The population estimation for the Western Hemisphere prior to 1492 Western Hemisphere prior to 1492 was between 75 and 100 million.was between 75 and 100 million.

At the same time period the At the same time period the population estimation for Europe is 70 population estimation for Europe is 70 million.million.

Prior to 1492 there were over 400 Prior to 1492 there were over 400 independent nations in North America independent nations in North America alone.alone.

Map of Pre-Contact Map of Pre-Contact North AmericaNorth America

Post European Post European ContactContact

TermsTerms

Treaty: A solemn agreement negotiated Treaty: A solemn agreement negotiated between sovereign nations.between sovereign nations.

Nation: A group of people with a Nation: A group of people with a common history, language, and culture, common history, language, and culture, that occupy a particular territory. To that occupy a particular territory. To belong to a nation means sharing a belong to a nation means sharing a common heritage, beliefs and common heritage, beliefs and worldview. worldview.

Sovereignty: Possessing supreme Sovereignty: Possessing supreme authority. A nation that is sovereign is authority. A nation that is sovereign is independent and free, with the right to independent and free, with the right to a territory of its own.a territory of its own.

Non-Status Indian: Refers to people who Refers to people who identify themselves as Indians but who are identify themselves as Indians but who are not entitled to registration on the Indian not entitled to registration on the Indian Register pursuant to the Register pursuant to the Indian ActIndian Act. Some . Some of them may be members of a First Nation.of them may be members of a First Nation.

Status Indian: A member of an indigenous Status Indian: A member of an indigenous people whom the federal government people whom the federal government recognizes as having special rights and recognizes as having special rights and privileges, especially residence on a privileges, especially residence on a reservation.reservation.

Treaty Indian: A status Indian Treaty Indian: A status Indian belonging to a band that has belonging to a band that has signed a treaty with the federal signed a treaty with the federal government.government.

Treaty FactsTreaty Facts

Indian treaties in Canada are Indian treaties in Canada are constitutionally recognized agreements constitutionally recognized agreements between the Crown and aboriginal between the Crown and aboriginal peoples.peoples.

In 1990 the Supreme Court of Canada In 1990 the Supreme Court of Canada determined that "treaties must be determined that "treaties must be construed, not according to the construed, not according to the technical meaning of its words to technical meaning of its words to learned lawyers, but in the sense in learned lawyers, but in the sense in which they would naturally be which they would naturally be understood by the Indians."understood by the Indians."

Treaty MapTreaty Map

FAQFAQ

MUST REGISTERED INDIANS MUST REGISTERED INDIANS PAY TAXES?PAY TAXES?

It depends. Registered Indians do It depends. Registered Indians do not pay federal or provincial taxes not pay federal or provincial taxes on their personal and real on their personal and real property that is on a reserve.property that is on a reserve.

IssuesIssues

1.1. What was the purpose of the What was the purpose of the treaties?treaties?

2.2. Were the negotiations for the Were the negotiations for the treaties fair?treaties fair?

3.3. Why do treaties still exist?Why do treaties still exist?