Contemporary Life - Implications and Contentions
Although Treaty 7 was signed in 1877, the Siksika (Blackfoot), Kainai (Blood), Tsuu T’ina (Sarcee), Nakoda (Stoney), and Piikani (Peigan) peoples continue to be affected by the ramifications set out by this historic agreement. At the 125th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 7, Matthew Coon Come, Grand Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, stated that “the Canadian government has failed to honor the treaties.” Click here to see CBC Archives website article Chief asks government to honour 125-year-old treaty.
Indeed, the Chief’s remarks are poignant as there continue to be Treaty 7 Peoples who remain without land or other rights associated with the treaty and who are fighting to secure such rights through such legal avenues as land claims litigation. This section is a brief overview of the implications and contentions that face the Nations of Treaty 7 including issues related to land claims, residential schools, and reserves.
A question that underlies all treaties in Canada regards the relationship between First Nations people and non-Aboriginal Canada. How this relationship will be addressed in the future depends on what lessons have been learnt from the relationship in the past.