The Impact of Time and Geography on Settler-Indigenous Treaties

This essay examines the historical relationship between European settlers and indigenous peoples in Canada, focusing on the evolution of their interactions from initial cooperation to conflict. It references Wab Kinew's depiction of shared cultural elements, such as the beaver hat, and the early economic cooperation exemplified by the fur trade. The essay highlights the signing of the Numbered Treaties, intended to establish rules of conduct and resource sharing, but ultimately leading to the exploitation of indigenous populations and the suppression of their culture. The treaties, involving various First Nations groups like the Metis and Dene across regions including Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, aimed to secure settlement and resources, but resulted in unequal outcomes and cultural destruction for the indigenous communities. Desklib offers a variety of resources, including essays and solved assignments, to aid students in their studies.

Running head: TIME AND GEOGRAPHY 1
Context: Time and Geography
Name
Institution
Date

TIME AND GEOGRAPHY 2
When the settlers first arrived from Europe, they were welcomed by the indigenous who
helped them to settle. Wab Kinew’s walk through history in two minutes suggests that the
relationship between the settlers and the indigenous people grew stronger and shared similar
fashion as their culture which is attested by the beaver hat ("8th Fire Wab Kinew 500 Years in 2
Minutes", 2019). Rats at the time were useful to both the settlers and the indigenous people
which later contributed in making fur for trade (Champagne, 2008). Further, the relationship
between the settlers and the indigenous was characterized by love and harmony which is
evidenced by the symbol of two canoes running parallel to each other without conflicts
(Williams Jr, 2013).
Consequently, the settlers signed various kinds of agreements with the Great Seals.
Among the issues that were contained in the treaties included rules against molestation and
towards bounty and benevolence. However, the indigenous thought that that they had equal
rights only to realize that the settlers took a bigger share and went against all the treaties by
designing systems that were designed to kill the indigenous culture (Wolfe, 2006).
The treaties that were signed in Canada were referred to as the Numbered treaties as a
result of being a series of several treaties that were signed by the First Nations and the
indigenous groups in Canada. These treaties were agreed upon in order to secure settlement and
resources in the regions that were involved. The treaties involved various locations such as
Alberta, British, Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Northwest territories. The first
nation tribe consisted of the Metis and Dene which constituted a third of the population that lived
in Mackenzie valley area (Kenneth, 2019). The specific location where the treaties were signed
included the Lower Fort Garry, Fort Alexander which affected the Chipewa tribe and swampy

TIME AND GEOGRAPHY 3
Cree tribe. Other locations included Northwest of Lake of the Woods, Fort Qu’Apelle, Fort
Elice, Swan Lake, Fort Pelly. Fort Walsh which involved the Saultex tribe.

TIME AND GEOGRAPHY 4
References
8th Fire Wab Kinew 500 Years in 2 Minutes. (2019). Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7LY-fXzhZI
Champagne, D. (2008). From first nations to self-government: a political legacy of indigenous
nations in the United States. American behavioral scientist, 51(12), 1672-1693.
Kenneth John Rea (2019). Northwest Territories. Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numbered_Treaties#List_of_Numbered_Treaties
Williams Jr, R. A. (2013). Linking arms together: American Indian treaty visions of law and
peace, 1600-1800. Routledge.
Wolfe, P. (2006). Settler Colonialism and the Elimination of the Native. Journal of genocide
research, 8(4), 387-409.