Understanding Treaty Relationships

Introduction

Treaties are special agreements made between Indigenous Nations and settlers in Canada. These agreements are not just about land; they are also about sharing resources, respecting each other, and working together. Treaties are like promises made a long time ago that continue to affect our lives today.

In Canada, treaties are a big part of our history and our present. They were created to help different groups of people live and work together fairly. Treaties include ideas about sharing land and resources, as well as looking after the environment for future generations.

This handout will help you learn about treaties and why they matter. It will also show how they connect to the financial decisions we make today. By learning about treaty relationships, we can understand how to work together better, share resources, and respect different ways of thinking about money and land.

Key Vocabulary

Before we dive into understanding treaties, let’s look at some important words you’ll see throughout this handout. These words will help you understand the ideas we’ll discuss:

Treaty: A formal agreement between two or more groups, often about land, resources, and responsibilities. In Canada, treaties were made between Indigenous Nations and settlers.
Sovereignty: The right of a group or nation to make its own decisions and govern itself.
Nation-to-Nation Relationship: A partnership between two nations that respects each other as equals.
Land Acknowledgment: A way to recognize the traditional lands of Indigenous Peoples and show respect for their history and connection to the land.
Resource Sharing: An agreement to use and benefit from resources together in a fair way.
Economic Reconciliation: Efforts to fix past injustices and create a fairer future by supporting Indigenous communities economically.

These words are important because they help us understand the promises made in treaties and the relationships they are meant to build. As we go through this handout, keep these terms in mind—they’ll help you see how treaties affect all of us.

The Historical Context of Treaties in Canada

To understand treaties, we need to look at the history of how they were created. Before settlers came to Canada, Indigenous Nations already had their own systems of governance, trade, and ways of sharing resources. These systems were built on respect, balance, and community.

When settlers arrived, they needed help to survive and thrive in a new land. Indigenous Peoples taught them how to live off the land, hunt, fish, and grow food. To work together and share the land, treaties were made. These agreements were meant to benefit both sides.

Early Treaties

The first treaties in Canada were called the Peace and Friendship Treaties. These were signed in the 1700s in what is now the Atlantic provinces. They were agreements to avoid conflict and support trade.

Later, as settlers spread across the land, more treaties were signed. The Numbered Treaties were signed between 1871 and 1921, covering much of western and northern Canada. These treaties often included agreements about land use, hunting and fishing rights, and payments to Indigenous communities.

Promises Made

In many treaties, Indigenous Peoples agreed to share their land with settlers. In return, they were promised:

Access to education.
Payments, sometimes called annuities.
Healthcare and support during difficult times.
Respect for their ways of life and land.

Challenges with Treaties

Unfortunately, the promises made in treaties were not always kept. Settlers often took more land than agreed upon. In some cases, Indigenous Peoples were not given the support they were promised. These broken promises have caused long-lasting problems that continue today.

By learning about this history, we can better understand why treaties are so important and how they still shape relationships between Indigenous Peoples and settlers in Canada.

Treaties and Financial Relationships

Treaties are more than just agreements about land—they also involve money, resources, and how they are shared. These financial relationships are a key part of treaty promises. They connect to ideas we’ve already learned, like sharing, reciprocity, and fairness.

Sharing Resources

In treaties, settlers and Indigenous Nations agreed to share resources like land, water, and forests. For example, settlers could use the land for farming, mining, and building towns, while Indigenous Peoples retained the right to hunt, fish, and use the land for traditional practices. These agreements were meant to ensure that everyone could benefit from the land fairly.

Annuities and Payments

Many treaties included financial promises to Indigenous communities. These were often in the form of annuities, or yearly payments. For example, in the Numbered Treaties, Indigenous families were promised small annual payments, which were symbolic gestures of the agreement. These payments continue today, though the amounts are often seen as outdated.

In addition to annuities, some treaties included promises of other financial support, like funding for schools, tools for farming, or medical supplies. These promises recognized that sharing resources came with a responsibility to help one another.

Western vs. Indigenous Views on Wealth

The financial parts of treaties reflect different ways of thinking about money and resources:

Western Perspective: Focused on ownership and individual wealth. Settlers often viewed land and resources as things to be bought, sold, or controlled.
Indigenous Perspective: Focused on community and sharing. Indigenous Peoples often see land as something sacred, to be cared for and shared for the benefit of everyone.

These different perspectives sometimes led to misunderstandings in treaties. Settlers often wanted to claim permanent ownership of land, while Indigenous Nations believed in sharing the land without giving it away forever.

Modern Financial Relationships

Today, treaties continue to influence financial policies in Canada. For example:

Land claims settlements provide compensation to Indigenous Nations for land that was taken without proper agreements.
Revenue-sharing agreements allow Indigenous communities to benefit from resource projects like mining or logging on their traditional territories.
Government funding supports Indigenous education, healthcare, and housing, reflecting the promises made in treaties.

Treaties remind us that financial relationships are about more than just money. They are about fairness, respect, and building strong partnerships.

Modern Implications of Treaty Relationships

Treaty relationships are not just about history—they are a living part of Canada today. They continue to shape how we share resources, respect different cultures, and work together toward a better future. Understanding these modern implications can help us appreciate the ongoing importance of treaties.

Economic Growth Through Treaties

Many Indigenous communities use treaties to build economic opportunities. For example, through partnerships with businesses or governments, they develop projects like wind farms, fisheries, or tourism. These partnerships are often based on treaty principles like resource sharing and mutual benefit.

In some cases, revenue-sharing agreements are created. These agreements allow Indigenous Nations to receive part of the profits from natural resources, like mining or forestry, on their traditional lands. This helps support local communities while respecting their rights to the land.

Challenges with Treaty Recognition

Even today, not all treaty promises have been kept. Some communities are still fighting for land, rights, or resources that were promised to them. This has led to court cases and negotiations between governments and Indigenous Nations.

For example, some treaties were written in ways that are unclear or were misunderstood by settlers. Indigenous leaders often explain that their ancestors saw treaties as agreements to share the land, not to give it away. Modern efforts focus on correcting these misunderstandings and ensuring that treaties are honored in a fair and just way.

Economic Reconciliation

Treaties are an important part of economic reconciliation in Canada. This means working to fix the unfair treatment of Indigenous Peoples in the past and finding ways to create equality today. Governments and businesses are partnering with Indigenous Nations to:

Provide jobs and training opportunities.
Support Indigenous-owned businesses.
Invest in education and community programs.

Economic reconciliation is about more than money—it’s about building strong relationships based on respect and understanding.

Why Treaties Matter Today

Treaties remind us that we all share responsibility for the land and the resources it provides. By respecting treaties, we can:

Create a more equal and fair society.
Protect the environment for future generations.
Build partnerships that benefit everyone.

Understanding the modern implications of treaties helps us see how they connect to our lives. Whether through economic opportunities or reconciliation efforts, treaties guide us toward a future built on fairness and cooperation.

Treaties as Models of Resource Sharing

Treaties are not just agreements from the past—they also offer valuable lessons about how to share resources fairly and responsibly. They show us how different groups can work together to use land and resources in a way that benefits everyone, both now and in the future.

Principles of Sharing

At the heart of treaties is the idea of reciprocity, or mutual giving and receiving. Indigenous Nations agreed to share their lands and resources with settlers, and in return, settlers made promises to provide support and respect Indigenous ways of life. These agreements were based on balance and fairness, principles that can guide how we manage resources today.

For example, many Indigenous cultures view resources like water, forests, and animals as gifts to be cared for, not as things to own or use up. This perspective teaches us to think about the long-term impacts of how we use resources and to share them in ways that protect them for future generations.

Sustainability Through Treaties

One of the most important lessons from treaties is the focus on sustainability. Indigenous approaches to resource use often emphasize:

Respect for the environment: Only taking what is needed to ensure resources are not overused or destroyed.
Planning for the future: Making decisions that protect the land and resources for generations to come.
Community benefit: Ensuring that everyone shares in the benefits of resources, rather than just a few individuals or groups.

These ideas align with modern efforts to protect the environment, such as renewable energy projects and conservation programs. Treaties can inspire us to think about how to manage resources in a way that balances economic growth with environmental care.

Modern Examples of Treaty Principles

Today, there are many examples of how treaty principles are being used to manage resources:

Co-Management Agreements: In some areas, Indigenous Nations and governments work together to manage forests, fisheries, or wildlife. These partnerships combine traditional Indigenous knowledge with modern science to make better decisions.
Resource Revenue Sharing: Some provinces in Canada share profits from resource projects, like mining or oil production, with Indigenous Nations. This ensures that communities benefit directly from the use of their traditional lands.
Environmental Stewardship: Indigenous-led initiatives, such as land trusts and conservation areas, focus on protecting ecosystems while respecting treaty rights.

Learning from Treaties

By understanding treaties, we can see how resource sharing is not just about dividing things up—it’s about building relationships and ensuring fairness. These principles can help us:

Develop fair policies for using land and resources.
Protect the environment while supporting economic growth.
Strengthen communities by sharing benefits more equally.

Treaties remind us that when we work together and respect each other’s needs, we can create systems that are both fair and sustainable.

Reflection Questions

Take some time to think about what you’ve learned about treaties and how they relate to resource sharing, fairness, and financial relationships. Reflecting on these questions can help deepen your understanding:

Understanding Treaty Principles
- What does reciprocity mean in the context of treaties? How does this principle guide resource sharing?
- How do treaties encourage us to think about fairness in financial and resource-related decisions?
Comparing Perspectives
- In what ways do Indigenous perspectives on land and resources differ from Western perspectives?
- How can these perspectives work together to create better systems for managing resources?
Real-Life Applications
- Can you think of an example in your life where sharing or fairness was important? How does this connect to what you’ve learned about treaties?
- How could treaty principles like sustainability or community benefit be applied to financial decisions you make in your daily life?
Looking to the Future
- Why is it important to honor treaties today?
- How can learning about treaties help us work toward reconciliation and a better future for everyone in Canada?

Use these questions to explore how treaty relationships connect to your own experiences and decisions. The more you think about these ideas, the better you’ll understand the importance of treaties in creating a fairer and more cooperative society.

Conclusion

Treaties are an essential part of Canada’s history and its present. They are agreements that remind us of the importance of fairness, respect, and working together. Treaties were created to build relationships between Indigenous Nations and settlers, focusing on sharing land, resources, and responsibilities.

We’ve learned that treaties go beyond land—they also involve financial promises, resource sharing, and caring for the environment. They reflect principles like reciprocity, sustainability, and community benefit, which can guide us in creating a more just and equitable society.

However, the journey is not complete. Many treaty promises remain unfulfilled, and there is still work to be done to ensure fairness and reconciliation. By learning about treaties and understanding their principles, we can contribute to honouring these agreements and creating a better future for everyone in Canada.

As we move forward, let’s remember the lessons treaties teach us about fairness, balance, and the importance of respecting different perspectives. Whether in financial decisions, resource use, or building relationships, the principles of treaties can help guide us toward a stronger, more cooperative community.

Multiple-Choice Questions

Test your understanding of the ideas covered in this handout with the following questions. Choose the best answer for each:

What is a treaty?
a) A competition between nations
b) An agreement about sharing land and resources
c) A form of tax collection
d) A way to avoid financial planning
(Correct Answer: b)
What is reciprocity in the context of treaties?
a) A system where resources are taken without giving back
b) A balanced exchange where both sides benefit
c) A way to compete for resources
d) A focus on individual ownership
(Correct Answer: b)
Which of the following is an example of a treaty promise?
a) Building a private company on shared land
b) Annuities or yearly payments to Indigenous Nations
c) Forcing one group to give up all resources
d) Ignoring agreements made in the past
(Correct Answer: b)
How do Indigenous perspectives on land differ from Western perspectives?
a) Indigenous perspectives emphasize ownership, while Western perspectives focus on sharing.
b) Indigenous perspectives focus on sharing and sustainability, while Western perspectives emphasize ownership and control.
c) Both perspectives focus only on profit.
d) Both perspectives avoid responsibility for resources.
(Correct Answer: b)
Why are treaties still important today?
a) They remind us to prioritize individual wealth over community benefit.
b) They guide how we can manage resources fairly and work toward reconciliation.
c) They ensure that settlers control all land and resources.
d) They are only relevant for understanding history, not modern issues.
(Correct Answer: b)

Use these questions to check your understanding and think more about the key ideas related to treaties and financial relationships.

References

Office of the Treaty Commissioner. (n.d.). Treaty Education Resources. Retrieved from https://www.otc.ca
Government of Canada. (2023). Indigenous Peoples and Treaties in Canada. Retrieved from https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca
OpenAI ChatGPT. (2025). Content creator for lesson handout. Provided educational material tailored to grade 10 financial literacy courses, with emphasis on treaty relationships.
Saskatchewan Ministry of Education. (2024). Financial Literacy 10 Curriculum (Preliminary). Retrieved from https://curriculum.gov.sk.ca