Treaty Benefits

Central to all these major treaties is the notorious cession clause, which states that the Aboriginal signatories “do hereby cede, release, surrender and yield up to the Government of the Dominion of Canada, for Her Majesty the Queen… all their rights, titles, and privileges whatsoever” to the lands described in the document.

In return, the Aboriginal signatories were offered parcels of land reserved exclusively for them – “Indian reserves” – but which did not belong to them. The federal government retained sole ownership of the land and managed it on behalf of the Aboriginal people. The terms of Treaty No. 8 provide a good illustration of the other treaty benefits: in the first year, “a present of $32 in cash to each chief, $22 to each headman [councillor] and $12 to every other Indian.” The next year and every year thereafter: $25 was to be paid to each chief, $15 to each headman (not to exceed four to a large band and two to a small band) and $5 “to every other Indian, of whatever age, … to be paid only to heads of families.” After signing the treaty, each chief received a silver medal and a suitable flag. Every third year thereafter, each chief and council member received “a suit of clothing.” Treaty No. 8 also provided for payment of the salaries of school teachers and, for each chief that selected a reserve, “ten axes, five handsaws, five augers, one grindstone, and the necessary files and whetstones.” In addition, each band that elected to take a reserve and cultivate the soil received “two hoes, one spade, one scythe and two hay forks for every family, in addition to one plough and one harrow for every three families.” Bands and families that elected to engage in agriculture and livestock raising received cows and bulls. For those who preferred to continue hunting and fishing, ammunition and twine for making nets were provided annually.