TREATY No 5
The Signing of Treaty 5
Treaty 5, also known as the Winnipeg Treaty is the fifth of the Numbered Treaties in Canada which was negotiated and signed between the Canadian Crown and the Anishinaabek (Saulteaux or Ojibwe) and the Muskego/Néhinaw (Swampy Cree). It was signed in 1875 with many addditions in 1876 and well into the 1900s. It covers most of Central and Northern Manitoba and extends slightly into Saskatchewan and Ontario.
Motivations & Negotiations for Treaty 5
The Anishinabe and the Muskego of Lake Winnipeg wanted Treaties as they were learning about the signing of Treaties 1-4 and the benefits that the other First Nations who signed Treaties were getting. They had an interest in securing the same benefits as their neighbours including protections from squatters, annuities, and tools. Starvation was also threatening some First Nations at Norway House on the northern end of the lake and they wanted to relocate to better farming grounds further south.
Despite this, the government did not share the same enthusiasm as the First Nations to sign a new Treaty. This was because Treaties 1-4 had already secured them the land they wanted for expansion and agriculture. However, they were still interested in establishing missions and securing land for settlement, resource extractions, routes for travel to the West, and steam navigation on Lake Winnipeg.
As a result, the Crown agreed to enter into negotiations, but initially only with the bands around Lake Winnipeg. The Treaty was not finalized in the north until 1908. They did however include the Norway House First Nations in the first signing of the Treaty given their plight and specific request. The government was also originally going to have some of the First Nations in the area (Nelson House and Split Lake) become signatories to Treaty 10. However, they realized Treaty 10 had higher payments and reserve allotments which made it a less economically favorable option for the Crown. Thus, these First Nations were added to Treaty 5.
Treaty 5 Terms
The terms of Treaty 5 were identical to Treaties 1-4 but differed in the reduction of reserve land to 160 acres per family of five instead of the 640 acres of land in previous Treaties. Morris justified this by explaining that traditional territories in the area would be free from European settlement for some time and Indigenous people could still hunt freely. This was part in response to the instruction from Indian Affairs to commissioners to reduce terms for all future Treaties to save on costs.
Treaty 5 terms included: the Indigenous peoples supposedly “surrendered title” to their land in exchange for reserve lands, on which they could hunt, trap and fish. The government retained the right to use these lands for development and/or public works, providing they compensate the Indigenous signatories. The government also promised to maintain schools on reserves, control liquor traffic on reserves and distribute the following annual payments: $5 per person, $15 per Headman and $25 per chief. Additional gifts, including flags, tools, clothing and medals, as well as monies for ammunition and twine were also provided.
Many First Nations complained about the government not fulfilling their agricultural promises including: seed, cattle, and farming tools. There were also issues with membership lists and with the schools provided on reserve.
Further Reading
NOTE: This article was informed by the further reading resources above as well as videos with First Nations people from Treaty 5 speaking on Treaty, and various Treaty 5 archival documents from 1870-1879 from Library and Archives Canada.
Image details: Treaty 5, Saskatchewan, North-West Territory. Plan showing additions to the Grand Rapids reserve.(courtesy Library and Archives Canada / MIKAN 4139475). Retrieved from the Canadian Encyclopedia.