The Royal Proclamation & The Treaty of Niagara

INVESTIGATING A NATION TO NATION

RELATIONSHIP

A significant document in Canadian History

An Early Recognition of Aboriginal Rights

Supported by the Treaty of Niagara

THE ROYAL PROCLAMATION OF 1763

Aboriginal title: right to the possession of land, based on continuous use and occupation

Ceded: to surrender possession of

SOME NEW WORDS

organize Great Britain's new North American empire

recognize a change in relationships… most First Nations had been allied with New France

THE ROYAL PROCLAMATION’S PURPOSE

“Englishman, although you have conquered the French you have not yet conquered us! We are not your slaves. These lakes, these woods and mountains, were left to us by our ancestors. They are our inheritance; and we will part with them to none… You have ventured your life among us, in the expectation that we should not molest you. You do not come armed, with an intention to make war, you come in peace, to trade with us…

We shall regard you therefore as a brother; and you may sleep tranquilly, without fear of the Chipeways. As a token of our friendship we present you with this pipe to smoke.”

Ojibwa chief Minivavana speaking after the defeat of the French

Find the ideas of peace, co-existence, aboriginal title, and independence.

ON THIS CHANGING RELATIONSHIP

Aboriginal & Colonial alliances had a long history in North America.

Treaties between the French, English and Dutch traders and explorers had been in place for hundreds of years.

Aboriginal people were active participants in negotiating terms…. Why does that matter?

THE PROCLAMATION:A CONTINUING RELATIONSHIP

In the Royal Proclamation

“And whereas it is just and reasonable, and essential to our Interest, and the security of our Colonies, the several Nations or tribes of Indians with whom we are connected, and who live under our Protection, should not be molested or disturbed in the possession of such parts of our Dominions and Territories as, not having been ceded to or purchased by Us, are reserved to them, or any of them, as their Hunting Grounds.”

Aboriginal title existed before the Proclamation, and continues after.

All land would be considered Aboriginal land until ceded by treaty.

Settlers are forbidden from purchasing land from Aboriginals.

Westward expansion is limited. TREATIES MUST BE SIGNED

WHAT IT SAYS

The Proclamation echoes the ideas of non-interference that Minivavana speaks of.

aboriginal perspectives exist in the Proclamation, which makes it more of a treaty.

SO WHAT?

Two Row Wampum

http://www.cbc.ca/player/Shows/Shows/Doc+Zone/8th+Fire/ID/2185362433/?page=3

Peace

Respect

Non-Interference

Binding Agreement

ABORIGINAL UNDERSTANDINGS OF TREATY

The Proclamation and Treaty at Niagara were a renewal and extension of a nation to nation relationship.

What is the teaching of the Two-Row Wampum?

TREATY OF NIAGARA, 1764

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neAXg-KxjjQ

The Proclamation supports Aboriginal self-government.

It gives instructions on how to make treaties… that were NOT followed in most of British Columbia

THE IMPACT

BECAUSE WE ARE ALL TREATY PEOPLE“Who are the treaty people? We are. We are all treaty people because treaties are assented to by two sides. They were assented to by the Aboriginals and they were assented to by the other side. The other side? French representatives, British representatives, Canadian representatives. In the early days the assent took the form of an oral commitment. Later on, it took the form of a classic European-style legal document.” - John Ralston Saul

SO WHY DOES THIS MATTER TO US?

The Royal Proclamation and the Treaty at Niagara offer a framework on which we can build new relationships moving forward.

FINALLY…