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The government wanted to use the Treaties to open land for settlement.
They wanted the First Nations to give up their rights to their Traditional Territories. But that is not how the First Nations saw the Treaties.
First Nations never agreed to the sale of their lands and resources. Instead, they agreed to share their Indigenous lands, to the depth of a plough, as stated in the following quote: At the time, the government said that we would live together, that I am not here to take away what you have now…I am here to borrow the land…to the depth of a plough…that is how much I want.
There are different theories about how the Treaties could mean such different things to the government and the First Nation signatories. Some argue that there was a cultural misunderstanding. Others argue that First Nations were misled by government negotiators who did not discuss land surrender and instead focused on the benefits the First Nation would receive.
The stark difference between the written text of the Treaties and the understanding of the First Nations from the oral negotiations can be seen in these quotes about Treaty 4.
The Creator gave us this country. Then the Treaties were taking place, that's what they gave up, a tip of the plough, so the people that came from elsewhere, different countries; they can farm, ranch, all that. We never gave up anything more than that.
— Elder Oakes, Treaty Elders of Saskatchewan
The Cree and Saulteaux Tribes of Indians, and all other the Indians inhabiting the district hereinafter described and defined, do hereby cede, release, surrender and yield up to the Government of the Dominion of Canada, for Her Majesty the Queen, and Her successors forever, all their rights, titles and privileges whatsoever, to the lands included within the following limits...
Reserves
Reserves were part of the government's overall plan to end the traditional ways of living of the First Nations. Moving First Nations onto reserves gave settlers access to the best land in the territory of the First Nation as they were often located on less productive land.
The government agreed in the Treaties to set aside land for the exclusive use of the First Nations. This is not incompatible with the idea that First Nations did not surrender their Traditional Territories. As the First Nations understood it, the rest of their Traditional Territories would be shared and reserves gave them some land exclusively for their own use. This land is called a reserve. The size of reserves was based on a set amount per family.
Although the reserves were set aside for use of the First Nation and its members, the government holds the title to the reserve land. Through the Indian Act and other laws the government exercises control over reserve land. This goes against the understanding of the First Nations that they would have control of their reserve land.
At the time the Treaties were being negotiated on the prairies Chiefs were disturbed by the idea that the peoples who had always occupied the territory, recognized by the government as theirs, were to be 'given' land as reserves.
