Keewatin v. Minister of Natural Resources

Part 7. The 1873 Negotiations 64prevented from delivering it. He had authority to tell them what sum of money he could give them inhand now, and what he could give them every year: but it was for them to open his mouth. Heconcluded his remarks, which were forcibly delivered, with an emphatic "I have said."The Chief reiterated that he and his young men were determined not to go on with the treaty until thefirst question was disposed of. What was said about the trees and rivers was quite true, but it was theIndian's country, not the white man's. Following this the Governor told the Council that unless theywould settle all the matters, the big and little, at once, he would not talk. He was bound by hisGovernment, and was of the same mind to treat with them on all questions, and not on any oneseparately.On seeing His Excellency so firm, and feeling that it would not do to allow any more time to passwithout coming to business the Chief asked the Governor to open his mouth and tell whatpropositions he was prepared to make.His Excellency then said – "I told you I was to make the treaty on the part of our Great Mother theQueen, and I feel it will be for your good and your children's. I should have been very sorry if youhad shut my mouth, if I had had to go home without opening my mouth. I should not have been a truefriend of yours if I had not asked you to open my mouth. We are all children of the same Great Spirit,and are subject to the same Queen. I want to settle all matters both of the past and the present, so thatthe white and red man will always be friends. I will give you lands for farms, and also reserves foryour own use. I have authority to make reserves such as I have described, not exceeding in all asquare mile for every family of five or thereabouts. It may be a long time before the other lands arewanted, and in the meantime you will be permitted to fish and hunt over them. I will also establishschools whenever any band asks for them, so that your children may have the learning of the whiteman. I will also give you a sum of money for yourselves and every one [of your wives and children]for this year . I will give you $10 [ten dollars] per head of the population, and for every other year $5[five dollars] a-head. But to the chief men, not exceeding two to each band, we will give $20 [twentydollars] a-year for ever. I will give to each of you this year a present of goods and provisions to takeyou home, and I am sure you will be satisfied.2011 ONSC 4801 (CanLII)After consultation amongst themselves, the Councillors went to have a talk about the matter …[Underlining emphasis added.][341] Dawson's Notes re October 1, 1873 contain the following:1 st Oct."Pow-as-san" addressing Mr. Dawson said,The promises you have made we want to see fulfilled. Look to where the waters separate. The treesyou have taken &c, are the property of those you see before you -Gov. Morris – will ask Mr. Dawson to reply to the question they have put. I am here for the purposeof arranging all matters with their nation.Mr. Dawson said,He was extremely happy to meet the chiefs on the present occasion. I have been trying for a longtime to bring about this meeting as that the Indians could assemble before His Excellency theGovernor and arrange matters for the future. Now that we have met here I will take occasion to relatethe connections between us and the Indians. It is now some years since the first white man camethrough their territory - they came with a military expedition. When that expedition was passingthrough the country the Indians shewed themselves loyal subjects of Her Majesty. They extendedthe right hand of fellowship and gave every assistance in their power to the soldiers and their whitefriends. When we began to open the road, we entered into closer relations with the Indians and fromthe commencement of this works up to this time no serious breach was occurred with the Indians.