Numbered Treaties

Numbered Treaties Selected Groups of the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada

Numbered Treaties between the Government and the Aboriginal Peoples across Canada were important during the time of the cross Canada railroad. These numbered treaties were signed over 1871 to 1921. First Nations peoples who signed were resettled on reserves, and had agreements for schooling, agricultural equipment, gifts, and yearly payments. The government got access to the resources of the land, and was able to build a railway.

Before the numbered treaties, agreements called Peace and Friendship treaties had been a way of keeping peaceful relationships between the First Nations and the settlers coming to Canada.

Not all First Nations were involved in signing treaties at the time. The Inuit were not involved until much later. First Nations groups in British Columbia and around James Bay were not asked. The Métis people land claims were also ignored until much later even though the Northwest Rebellion had been about their land and settlement rights.