The conclusion of treaties is both a very old and a very modern way of establishing peaceful relations between peoples and nations
In Canada, there are two types of treaties with Indigenous peoples: peace and friendship treaties, and land treaties, i.e., those specifically dealing with land and land titles.
The government’s objective with land treaties was to remove obstacles to colonization and to encourage First Nations members to abandon their lands and lifestyles and assimilate.
Montréal Celebrates the 300th Anniversary of the Great Peace of 1701
On August 4, 2001, Montréal was the scene of large-scale festivities to mark the 300th anniversary of the signing of a major treaty concluded in 1701 between Governor Callière, representing the French Crown, the representatives of the Five Iroquois Nations and the representatives of over 30 First Nations
Thus, a person might say that they’re from the Naskapi First Nation of Kawawachikamach, or the Atikamekw First Nation of Manawan, or the Mohawk First Nation of Akwesasne, etc., identifying both the nation to which they belong and their place of origin or residence.
Known by the name of the Great Peace of Montréal, this treaty was signed at a grandiose event attended by over 1,000 First Nations ambassadors held in a town of just 3,000 inhabitants. Among the principal makers of the Great Peace, the Huron-Wendat Chief Kondiaronk played a decisive role, and then passed away during the event. A state funeral was celebrated in his honour.
In a work on the Great Peace of Montreal, the historian Gilles Havard (2001) admirably describes a great moment in French-Aboriginal relations that deserves to be restored to our collective memory.
Photo credit: National Archives of Canada, C 137797
Photo credit: René Fortin, Corporation des fêtes de la Grande Paix de Montréal
“Treaty” means a formal agreement or accord between nations or states that are seeking to reconcile their interests and aspirations. Treaties have often taken the form of military alliances in which the parties undertake to support and assist each other. Several treaties were concluded to end hostilities and set out the method of establishing peace and amicable relations. Commerce was also a major concern, since war and commerce were closely linked in the battles waged by the large powers (the French, English and Dutch) to ensure their hegemony over the territory. As Chapter 5 will explain, treaties would cover Aboriginal lands and land titles at a much later date.
From the initial contacts, the practice of alliances and treaties was essential. To settle the lands and develop the fur trade, close and harmonious relations with the various Aboriginal peoples
There are 11 Aboriginal nations recognized in Québec: Abenaki (Waban-Aki), Algonquin (Anishinabeg), Atikamekw Nehirowisiwok, Cree (Eeyou), Huron-Wendat, Inuit, Maliseet (Wolastoqiyik), Mi’gmaq (Micmac), Mohawk (Kanien’kehá:ka), Innu (Montagnais) and Naskapi. Across Canada, there are nearly sixty Aboriginal nations.
The French expedition in Canada in the spring of 1603 gave rise to the very first intercultural alliance. (Girard and Gagné 1995). Champlain met the Montagnais (now known as the Innu) nation at Saint-Mathieu Point near Tadoussac. Whether it was an alliance, a pact or an actual treaty matters little, for there was certainly a mutual commitment between the parties. The French wanted to obtain the authorization to settle on Aboriginal lands and organize the fur trade, in which the First Nations would play a crucial part. It seems that this authorization was obtained. In exchange, the Innu chief Anadabijou obtained assurance of French military support in the campaigns led by his nation against its enemies, the Iroquois.
Such an alliance was not an isolated event. In the ensuing months, the King of France conferred the following powers on his lieutenant general, the Sieur des Monts, who had the charge of representing him:
To deal with and contract for the same purpose peace, alliance and confederation, good friendship, correspondence and commu nication with the said peoples and their princes or others having power and commandment over them, and to maintain, keep and carefully observe the treaties and alliances concluded with them, provided they observe such treaties and alliances on their part
Celebration of the Great Alliance of 1603
In May 2003, the village of Baie-Sainte-Catherine near Tadoussac celebrated the very first alliance made in 1603 between Samuel de Champlain and the Innu chief Anadabijou. In commemoration of the event, a huge caribou antler, the combined work of Innu sculptor Christophe Fontaine and Québécois sculptor sculptor Pierre Bourgault, now stands in the small village of Baie-Sainte-Catherine.
