The gathering surrounding the signing of Treaty Six.

The Treaty to be signed at Fort Carlton in August 1876 was the sixth of seven western treaties that were signed between 1871 and 1877. The deliberations proved to be a long and drawn out process partly because the Indian negotiators insisted on better terms than those that were offered in the formal treaty. They also tried to build on those concessions that had been given in previous treaties. The treaty commissioners were under orders to give as little as possible to the Indians and not make any outside promises to the original terms of the treaty. The proposed treaty area covered some 120,000 square miles in present day central Saskatchewan and Alberta – an area that was crucial to Ottawa’s policy of western expansion. On July 27th, 1876, the Hon. Alexander Morris and his treaty party left Fort Garry (Winnipeg) and headed northwest along the Carlton Trail.

Tuesday, August 15th, 1876, Chief Mistawasis and Chief Ahtahkakoop, the two senior chiefs of the Carlton Indians officially welcomed Morris and his party to their country.

On August 16th, 1876 the Indians notified Morris that they wish to confer among themselves. Although the majority of the assembled chiefs favoured signing a treaty, they were reluctant to proceed when several other leaders such as Beardy, Little Pine and Lucky Man were not present. When no other chiefs had appeared by August 17th, Morris insisted on getting started the next morning.

The negotiations commenced on Friday, August 18th at a traditional camping area known to the Cree as “Pehonanik” or the waiting place. At exactly 10:30 AM, Morris left the fort in a carriage for the Indian camp accompanied by about 100 Mounted Policemen in their scarlet tunics and a band. Once Morris arrived, the 2000 Indians came together, beating drums, singing, dancing and discharging their guns. Within 50 yards of Morris, all fell silent as the sacred pipe-stem bundle was unwrapped. This ceremony was an invitation to the Creator to witness the proceedings and provide guidance. It also signified that the chiefs approached these negotiations with much thought and commitment.

It is important to be aware that throughout all of the negotiations the responsibility was on the Indian leadership to come to terms with the government. Many times Morris emphasized the generosity of the Queen and her government in offering to the Indians a new way of life, a life made necessary because of the increasing white settlement on the traditional Indian lands and also due to the decreasing buffalo herds. Morris had directly and indirectly reminded the Indian leaders of the insecurity of their current position. He had stressed that if they did not come to terms with what he was offering – or if they presented unreasonable demands their actions would be interpreted as being in their own worst interest and in bad faith. He told the Indian leaders “I cannot grant everything you ask, but as far as I can go, I will, and when done I can only say you will be acting in your own interests if you take my hand”.

In summing up, he expressed his opinion that he had replied fully to all of the requests that the chiefs had made. He promised that what was said would be written down and the chiefs would receive copies. “It now rests with you, my friends, and I ask you without hesitation to take what I have offered you”.

On Wednesday, August 23rd, 1876, Morris called the Indian leaders and their councillors to place their mark on the document to be followed by the presentation of medals and flags. Before signing, most of the Indian leaders expressed their thankfulness for the treaty and hoped that the Creator would look favourably on them. Later in the day, Mr. Christie and Mr. McKay began making the treaty payments. That evening, the rest of the chiefs and councillors received their treaty gifts. The payments continued the next day and presents of shirts, pipes, tobacco and other items were given to the people, each person also received $12 cash. In all treaty payments were made to 13 chiefs, 44 councillors, 262 men, 473 women, 273 boys and 481 girls – it was noted that a large number of the men were absent at the hunt and those would be paid the following year.

Visiting on Treaty Day. Standing left to right are;
Chief Andrew King, MP Len Taylor, Councillor Pat Okemow