Keewatin v. Minister of Natural Resources

Part 7. The 1873 Negotiations 78names in writing handed over to us. I would not find it to my convenience to have a stranger here totransact our business between me and you. It is a white man who does not understand our language that istaking it down. I would like a man that understands our language and our ways. We would ask yourExcellency as a favor to appoint him for us.Governor – I have a very good feeling to Mr. C. Nolin, he has been a good man here; but theappointment of an Agent rest[s] with the authorities at Ottawa and I will bring your representation to them,and I am quite sure it will meet with the respect due to it.Chief – As regards the fire water, I do not like it and I do not wish any house to be built to have itsold. Perhaps at times if I should be unwell I might take drop just for medicine; and shall any one insist onbringing it where we are, I should break the treaty.Governor – I meant to have spoken of that myself, I meant to put it in the Treaty. He speaks goodabout it. The Queen and her Parliament in Ottawa here [have] passed a law prohibiting the use of it in her[this] territory, and if any shall be brought in for the use of you as medicine it can only come in by mypermission.Chief – Why we keep you so long is that it is our wish that everything should be properlyunderstood between us.Governor – That is why I am here. It is my pleasure, and I want when we once shake hands that itshould be forever.Chief – That is the principal article. If it was in my midst the fire water would have spoiled myhappiness, and I wish it to be left far away from where I am. All the promises that you have made me, thelittle promises and the money you have promised, when it comes to me year after year – should I see thatthere is anything wanting, th[r]ough the negligence of the people who [that] have to see after these things,I trust it will be in my power to put them in prison.Governor – The ear of the Queen's Government will always be open to hear the complaintsof her Indian people, and she will deal with her servants that do not do their duty in a propermanner. [Bolding added]Chief – Now, you have promised to give us all your names. I want a copy of the treaty that willnot be rubbed off, on parchment.Governor – In the meantime I will give you a copy on paper, and as soon as I get back I will getyou a copy on parchment.…Chief – You have come before us with a smiling face, you have shown us great charity – you havepromised the good things; you have given us your best compliments and wishes, not only for once but forever; let there now for ever be peace and friendship between us. It is the wish of all that where our reservesare peace should reign, that nothing shall be there that will disturb peace. Now, I will want nothing to bethere that will disturb peace, and will put every one that carries arms, - such as murderers and thieves –outside, so that nothing will be there to disturb our peace.Governor – The Queen will have policemen to preserve order, and murderers and men guilty ofcrime will be punished in this country just the same as she punishes them herself.…Chief – I will tell you one thing.-- You understand me now, that I have taken your hand firmly andin friendship. I repeat twice and [that] you have done so, that these promises that you have made, and thetreaty to be concluded, let it be as you promise, as long as the sun rises over our head and as long as thewater runs. One thing I find, that deranges a little my kettle. In this river, where food used to be plentifulfor our subsistence, I perceive it is getting scarce. We wish that the river should be left as it was formedfrom the beginning – that nothing be broken.Governor – This is a subject that I cannot go into [promise].Mr. Dawson – Anything that we are likely to do at present will not interfere with the fishing, butno one can tell what the future may require, and we cannot enter into any engagement.Chief – We wish the Government would assist us in getting a few boards for some of us who areintending to put up houses this fall, from the mill at Fort Frances [Francis].Governor – The mill is a private enterprise, and we have no power to give you boards from that.2011 ONSC 4801 (CanLII)