about land treaties
Historic Treaties (Pre-1975)
Timeframe: 1701–1923
Purpose:
To facilitate European settlement and resource access while maintaining peace and alliances with Indigenous nations.
Examples:
Peace and Friendship Treaties (1700s):
- Signed in the Maritimes with Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, and Passamaquoddy nations.
Numbered Treaties (1871–1921):
- Eleven treaties covering vast areas from Ontario to the Northwest Territories.
Williams Treaties (1923):
- Final set of historic treaties in southern Ontario.
Key Features:
- Often involved land cessions in exchange for annuities, reserves, hunting and fishing rights, and education or farming tools.
- Negotiated under the Royal Proclamation of 1763, which required Indigenous consent for land transfers.
Modern Treaties (Post-1975)
Also known as Comprehensive Land Claim Agreements.
Address areas where no historic treaties were signed—especially in British Columbia, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.
Examples:
- James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (1975)
- Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (1993)
- Tlicho Agreement (2003)
Key Features:
- Include provisions for land ownership, self-government, resource revenue sharing, and cultural protections.
- Legally binding and constitutionally protected under Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.more.
Why They Matter Today
Legal Recognition: Treaties are recognized as “the supreme law of Canada” and affirmed by courts as living agreements.
- Reconciliation: Honouring treaties is central to Canada’s efforts toward reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
- Land Rights: Many Indigenous communities continue to assert treaty rights and challenge violations in court, as seen in recent rulings like the Agency One First Nations case.
ottawa
Adawe
The word Adawe comes from the Algonquin language and means “to trade” or “to exchange.” It reflects the central role of commerce and exchange in Algonquin culture, especially along river routes like the Ottawa River, which was a major trade artery for Indigenous peoples long before European contact.
In fact, the name Ottawa itself is derived from the same root—“adawe”—highlighting the region’s historical importance as a hub of trade and diplomacy.
Source:
Who are the Algonquin Anishinaabe?
The Algonquin Anishinaabe are an Indigenous people who have lived in the Ottawa River watershed for thousands of years.
Their territory spans parts of what is now eastern Ontario and western Quebec.
They have a deep spiritual and cultural connection to the land, water, and ecosystems of the region.
What does “unceded” mean?
“Unceded” refers to land that was never legally transferred to colonial governments.
Unlike many other parts of Canada, no treaty was signed to cede the Ottawa area to the Crown.
As a result, the Algonquin Nation continues to assert their inherent rights and title to the land.
Present-Day Significance
Today, ten Algonquin communities are recognized in Quebec and one in Ontario (Pikwàkanagàn First Nation).
The Algonquin Nation is actively involved in land claim negotiations with the federal and provincial governments.
Many public events and institutions in Ottawa now begin with land acknowledgments recognizing the Algonquin people as the traditional stewards of the land.
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muskoka
Mesqua Ukie
The name Mesqua Ukie (also spelled Mesqua Ukee) is believed to mean “not easily turned back in the day of battle.” It originates from the name of an Ojibwe chief who lived in what is now Muskoka, Ontario.
Chief Mesqua Ukie played a significant role in the region’s history, including signing treaties that transferred large tracts of land—about 250,000 acres—to the Province of Canada. His name was later used to inspire the name Muskoka, giving the area a lasting connection to its Indigenous roots.
Source:
Treaty 16
Treaty 16, also known as the Lake Simcoe–Lake Huron Purchase, was signed on November 18, 1815 between the British Crown and Chippewa (Ojibwa) Chiefs of the region.
Key Facts about Treaty 16
Purpose:
The treaty secured land for a military road—the Penetanguishene Road—connecting Lake Simcoe to Lake Huron. This was a strategic route developed after the War of 1812.
Land Ceded:
Approximately 250,000 acres of land were transferred to the Crown. This area now includes parts of Simcoe County, such as Oro, Vespra, Medonte, Flos, Tay, and Tiny townships.
Payment:
The Crown paid £4,000 sterling for the land.
Signatories:
On behalf of the Crown: Elisha Beman, Henry Proctor, Captain W. M. Cochrane, Lieutenant Alexander Ferguson, interpreter William Gruet, and James Givins.
On behalf of the Chippewa: Chiefs Kinaybicoinini, Aisance, and Misquuckkey (possibly the namesake of Muskoka).
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Simcoe%E2%80%93Lake_Huron_Purchase
Historical Significance:
Treaty 16 was part of a broader colonial strategy to expand settlement and secure transportation routes in Upper Canada. Like many treaties of the time, it was negotiated under pressure and with limited understanding of long-term implications for Indigenous communities.
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Ts, Hoodies, caps, hats, and toques.
kawartha lake
KA-WA-TAE-GUM-MAUG
The phrase Ka-wa-tae-gum-maug comes from the Anishinaabeg language and is an early form of the word Kawartha. It translates to “land of reflections”.
This poetic name originally described the shimmering lakes and waterways of what is now known as the Kawartha Lakes region in Ontario. Over time, the word was anglicized—first to Ka-wa-tha, and eventually to Kawartha—as part of a tourism campaign in the early 1900s to attract visitors by rail and boat.
Source:
https://lindsayadvocate.ca/whats-in-a-name-kawartha-lakes-vs-kawarthas/
Treaty number 20
Treaty 20, also known as the Rice Lake Purchase, was signed on November 5, 1818 between the Crown and several Anishinaabe (Michi Saagiig) leaders in what is now southern Ontario
Key Details of Treaty 20
Parties Involved:
The Michi Saagiig Anishinaabe, including leaders from the Eagle, Reindeer, Crane, Snake, Pike, and White Oak tribes.
The British Crown, represented by William Claus, Deputy Superintendent General of Indian Affairs.
Location of Signing:
A council was held at Smith’s Creek (present-day Port Hope, Ontario).
Land Surrendered:
Approximately 1,951,000 acres of land, covering areas that now include Peterborough, Lindsay, and parts of the Kawartha Lakes region.
Terms of the Treaty:
In exchange for the land, the Crown agreed to provide an annual payment of £740 in goods, later adjusted to £10 in goods per person (adult and child).
The treaty was rooted in protocols established by the 1763 Royal Proclamation and the 1764 Treaty of Niagara, which required land to be ceded through public council and mutual agreement
Historical Context:
The treaty was part of a broader effort by Upper Canada to secure land for British settlers after the War of 1812, during a time when the settler population was rapidly increasing.
Despite the treaty, Anishinaabe communities faced ongoing encroachment, loss of access to traditional hunting and fishing grounds, and the spread of disease and colonial policies.
Why It Matters:
Treaty 20 is one of many agreements that shaped the relationship between Indigenous nations and the Canadian state. It remains significant today in discussions about land rights, treaty obligations, and reconciliation.
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