4.1.3 The Numbered Treaties: 1871‑1921

The Numbered Treaties (1-11): 1871-1921

Women and children [of Brunswick House First Nation] at the feast during Treaty 9 payment ceremony at [the Hudson’s Bay Company Post called] New Brunswick House, Ontario.

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As required by the Royal Proclamation of 1763, the British Crown, through their representatives of the Dominion of Canada, were obliged to enter into formal treaty processes before they could expand westward. The British Crown and First Nations interpreted the meaning and intention of treaties in drastically different ways.

The British Crown considered the Numbered Treaties to be an exchange for the surrender of Indigenous Rights and Title to land, so settlers from foreign lands could occupy lands within the colonial territories that the British laid claim to. In return, the British Crown guaranteed First Nations certain Treaty and Inherent Rights in perpetuity.

Map showing Indian treaties in Ontario, Dominion of Canada.

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First Nations that signed these Numbered Treaties believed they were entering a trust relationship with the British Crown; First Nations were to share and co-exist with settlers from foreign lands. Therefore, First Nations never agreed to the sale of their lands and resources. Instead, they agreed to share their Indigenous lands, to the depth of a plough, as stated in the following quote:

“At the time, the government said that we would live together, that I am not here to take away what you have now…I am here to borrow the land…to the depth of a plough…that is how much I want.”

“At the time, the government said that we would live together, that I am not here to take away what you have now…I am here to borrow the land…to the depth of a plough…that is how much I want.”

—Senator Allan Bird, Montreal Lake Cree Nation, Treaty 6

Based upon First Nations oral histories and written documentation, including that of the actual written text of the Numbered Treaties, First Nations assert that the British Crown made the following promises when the Numbered Treaties were negotiated and signed, which have come to be known as First Nations Treaty and Inherent Rights.

• The Treaty & Inherent Right of First Nations to maintain their own systems of governance, including selection of leadership and control over own citizenship, trade and spiritual beliefs.
• The Treaty & Inherent Right to Shelter.
• Treaty annuity or annual payments under the terms of certain treaties.
• The Treaty & Inherent Right to Child Welfare.
• The Treaty & Inherent Right to Land and Resources.
• The Treaty & Inherent Right to Health.
• The Treaty & Inherent Right to Education.
• The Treaty & Inherent Right to Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping.
• The Treaty & Inherent Right to Justice.

Treaties 1-11 ​(Traditional Territory/Current Context)

Treaty 1: Southern Manitoba

Treaty 2: Southern Manitoba

Treaty 3: Southern Manitoba, Central Ontario

Treaty 4: Southern Manitoba, Southern Saskatchewan, Central Manitoba

Treaty 5: Central and Northern Manitoba

Treaty 6: Central Alberta, Central Saskatchewan

Treaty 7: Southern Alberta

Treaty 8: Northern British Columbia, Northern Alberta, Northern Saskatchewan

Treaty 9: Northern Ontario, Northern Manitoba

Treaty 10:

Treaty 11:

• Treaty 1: Southern Manitoba
• Treaty 2: Southern Manitoba
• Treaty 3: Southern Manitoba, Central Ontario
• Treaty 4: Southern Manitoba, Southern Saskatchewan, Central Manitoba
• Treaty 5: Central and Northern Manitoba
• Treaty 6: Central Alberta, Central Saskatchewan
• Treaty 7: Southern Alberta
• Treaty 8: Northern British Columbia, Northern Alberta, Northern Saskatchewan
• Treaty 8: Northern Ontario, Northern Manitoba