TREATY No 3
The Signing of Treaty 3
Treaty 3, also known as the North West Angle Treaty was signed between the Anishinaabek (also called Saulteaux, Ojibwe, Chippewa) and Canada on October 3, 1873 at the North West Angle of the Lake of the Woods in Manitoba. A number of other signatories also joined the Treaty in 1874 and 1875. Treaty 3 is notable because it set precedents for the following numbered treaties.
Motivations & Negotiations for Treaty 3
After Treaties 1 and 2 were signed there was a great need to negotiate a treaty in the area of Treaty 3 in North Western Ontario and into Manitoba, specifically because Canada wanted to secure its communication routes with its new territories. The government planned to do this by building a road from Lower Fort Garry 90 miles from east to Lake of the Woods, and from Thunder Bay 90 miles to Shebandowan Lake. They also needed to secure land for the railway to pass through.
Although the Anishinaabe were willing to enter the Treaty, they were not able to come to an agreement with Canada. This was in due part because the First Nations wanted to be paid for the “right of way” through their lands. Another main reason why is because generally, they wanted more than Canada was willing to give. Their persistent high demands were fueled in part from knowing that gold and silver had been found on their land and comparing Treaty presents and annuities with American counterparts. Finally, in 1873, Alexander Morris, the new Lieutenant Governor of the North West Territories and Manitoba succeeded in securing the Treaty.
Treaty 3 Terms
The Treaty states that the First Nations agreed to “cede, release, surrender and yield up to the Government of the Dominion of Canada for Her Majesty the Queen and Her successors forever, all their rights, titles and privileges whatsoever, to the lands included [in the Treaty].” They also promised: “to conduct and behave themselves as good and loyal subjects of Her Majesty the Queen.” This entailed obeying the law, maintaining peace among themselves and with others, not disturbing inhabitants or property within the ceded land, assisting in enforcing laws, and promises to “aid and assist the officers of Her Majesty in bringing to justice and punishment any Indian offending against the stipulations of this treaty, or infringing the laws in force in the country so ceded.”
The Crown pledged the following:
To allocate reserve land for each band based on a calculation that would not exceed one square mile per family of five and allowing sale or lease of this land by the government with Indigenous consent.
Respect existing farmland.
An initial present of $12 to each man woman and child.
Schools which would be maintained by the government on reserves whenever the “Indians of the reserve shall desire it.”
Ban alcohol sales on reserves unless otherwise decided.
Preserve hunting and fishing rights, excluding certain areas for settlement, mining, lumbering, or “other purposes.”
Offer compensation for “public works or buildings” made on reserve lands.
Provide an annual $5 annuity per Indigenous person in ceded territory.
Allocate $1,500 yearly to be spent by the government for ammunition and twine for fishing nets.
Supply farming tools and animals for each farming family or band.
Grant chiefs a flag, medal, $25/year, and a new suit of clothing every 3 years.
Each headmen (up to 3 per band) would get $15/year and a new suit of clothing every 3 years.
Further Reading
NOTE: This article was informed by the further reading resources above as well as The Treaties of Canada with The Indians of Manitoba and the North-West Territories, by Alexander Morris, Treaty Texts - Treaty No 3, “Report on the Negotiations for Treaty 3 by Lieutenant Governor Alexander Morris,” “Treaty 3 - Chief Perrot Sahkahcheway and Others Complaining that Treaty Provisions Were Not Being Fulfilled,” “Red River Resistance,” and List of First Nations entitled to treaty annuities.
Image details: George McPherson and his family, Northwest Angle, Lake of the Woods (present-day Ontario). George McPherson (seated) worked for the Hudson's Bay Company in the Temiscamingue district in the 1830s and later served as an interpreter during the 1873 Treaty 3 negotiations.(courtesy Library and Archives Canada, e011156525/Flickr CC)