Keewatin v. Minister of Natural Resources

Part 7. The 1873 Negotiations 61Commencement of Proceedings on September 30, 1873[331] From the records alone, the dates of the negotiations are unclear. However, as Morrisappears to have been in error in his October 14 report about the dates of the negotiations, basedon the weekdays specified, it appears that they started in a formal sense on September 30, 1873,when the Ojibway Chiefs and the Treaty Commissioners met. Morris introduced himself. TheChiefs indicated they needed more time to prepare. The meeting broke up.[332] The Manitoba Free Press (Ex. 67/67A) contains the following:The Lieutenant Governor informed the Indians of his object in calling them together and explainedthat he and Mr. Provencher had been instructed to speak to them on behalf of the Queen, andreferred in an easy manner, but with evident sincerity to the regard which he had always felt towardsthe native tribes of the Northwest. … He invited the chiefs to come forward to shake hands with himand then to speak what was it in their minds. There was not anything in their minds except thedetermination to dodge the interview for another day; for no sooner had the Governor ceasedspeaking, when the spokesman of the party came forward and on behalf of all the Indians presentdeclared that they had nothing to say today but would deliberate on what the Governor had said untiltomorrow. The Governor then told them that his time was much occupied, but that in the belief thatthey would come to some determination tomorrow they would wait over ....[333] Dawson's notes record Morris' introductory comments as follows:Gov. Morris said, "I am very glad to be here today amongst the Queen's subjects I see before me. Ihave been sent here with Mr. Provencher to see you all - to shake hands with you and to wish youwell. I can tell you that the Queen has always loved her Indian subjects -- she is always kind tothem and they have been kind to her in return. She has sent me to see you. I am one of herservants. I am her Governor in this great country and she has sent me here to see and talk withyou. I am glad of the honor of meeting you here to-day.2011 ONSC 4801 (CanLII)The reason I am here today is that the Queen's Government wish to have the treaty with you totake you by the hand and never let your hand go. If you wish to make a treaty with me and my friendsI wish you would present your chiefs and headmen."Powassan" said "what we have heard today we cannot answer until further consideration."Gov. Morris said, "I cannot remain here long but will stay until 11 o'clock on Wednesday morning."[Underlining emphasis added.][334] I note that in his opening statement, it appears that Morris did not mention that Dawsonwas also there to speak to them. He only mentioned Provencher.October 1, 1873[335] The Manitoba Free Press describes the proceedings on October 1, 1873 as follows:The real opening of negotiations commenced today. Indians came up in grand procession, and thebusiness commenced by an intimation from the Governor that he was ready to receive and shakehands with the chiefs. Instead, however, of proceeding in the manner expected of them, the Indians,…. preferred an indictment against Mr. Dawson. When the question was examined however, theindictment …fell to the ground and the accusers made a change of ground. They wanted certainpayments and gifts for the Dawson Road before they would consider the question of the treaty at all.This is exactly the ground they took last year at Fort Frances. Altogether ignoring the fact that in