Keewatin v. Minister of Natural Resources

Part 7. The 1873 Negotiations 81Mr. Provencher The commissioner will come to a settlement with each one. The Govt wouldsend surveyor to measure the land and the selection would be made between the Commissioner andthemselves."Manitobiness" We have small gardens here and there and hopes they will not be taken away.-- No -- These are the winding up matters. I would like to have the names in writing of those presentat this Treaty. I have one point to lay before you. I would like to have a stranger here to look after thematters between you and us. Mr. Nolin.--Gov. Morris I have a good opinion of Mr. Nolin, here present, and will recommend hisappointment to the Government."Manitobiness" I don't like fire water myself and don't want it where I live. Perhaps at times Imight take some for medicine but should any one insist that we should have it I will break the kegs &destroy the houses where it is sold.Gov. Morris Was glad to hear him speak so. There was a Law against bringing it into theCountry."Manitobiness" We have now spoken on principal past. We want to see the promises fulfilled.If they are not I will hunt up the person neglecting his duty.Gov. Morris The Queen's ear would always be open to hear her Indian subjects."Manitobiness" You have promised to give all your names, and now I want a copy of theTreaty. –Yes-- I do not wish to be treated as those in Red River. I would like that provisions be givenus when we meet.Gov. Morris Provisions are always given at a meeting."Manitobiness" You have come before us with a smiling face, you have promised us goodthings - you have given us your best wishes and we have done the same in return, let it be nowforever peace & friendship. It is the wish of all wherever our Reserves be that peace should reign.Any one carrying arms, murderers &c will be put out of the reserves.Gov. Morris Murderers would be punished according to Law."Manitobiness" If I see any of the Hudson Bay Co. men surveying my reserve I will put themoff.Gov. Morris The Hudson Bay Co. have their rights, you have yours. The Queen will do justicebetween you."Manitobiness" I am going to tell you one thing. I take your hand in a friendly way. Let thepromises you have made and the business concluded last as long as the sun is over our heads. I shewthis medal given at the Treaty in Red River – they called it silver – I do not. I would be ashamed towear it on my breast. I would not disgrace the QueenGov. Morris I will tell the Government what you say and how you said it."Manitobiness" Here I stand before the face of the nation and of the Commissioners. I trustthere will be no grumbling. The words I have said are the words of the nation and have not been saidin secret but openly so that all could hear and I trust that those who are not present will not find faultwith what we are about to do to-day. And, I trust, what we are about to do to-day is for the benefit ofour nation as well as for our white brothers - that nothing but friendship may reign between the nationand our white brothers. And now I take off my glove to give you my hand and sign the Treaty andnow before you all, Indians and whites, let it never be said that this has been done in secret. It is doneopenly and in the light of day.-This, and the signing of the Treaty brought it to a close.—[Underlining added. Bolding added where indicated; most bolding & all italics in original][368] Morris' Official Report dated October 14, 1873 contains the following:…The Chiefs were summoned to the conference by the sound of [a] bugle[s], and again met uswhen they told me that the determination to adhere to their demands had been so strong a bond that theydid not think it could be broken, but that they had now determined to see if I [could] [would] give themanything more.The Commissioners had had a conference [bolding added], and agreed previously to offer asmall sum for ammunition and twine for nets, yearly, a few agricultural implements and seeds, for any2011 ONSC 4801 (CanLII)