Lesson 13: Unfulfilled Treaty Promises

3. Key Aspects of Unfulfilled Promises

When treaties like Treaty 4 were signed, Indigenous peoples were promised several important things, including education, healthcare, and the right to maintain their relationship with the land. However, many of these promises were never kept or were carried out in ways that hurt Indigenous communities. Let's explore these key unfulfilled promises:

I. Education
One of the central promises in the treaties was education. The government agreed to provide schools for Indigenous children, but the reality was very different from what Indigenous peoples had expected. Instead of schools that respected their cultures, many Indigenous children were forced into residential schools. These schools aimed to remove their language, culture, and traditions, with the goal of assimilating them into non-Indigenous society.

At these residential schools, children were often mistreated, and many experienced emotional and physical harm. Families were torn apart, and entire generations of Indigenous people lost important connections to their language and culture. The impacts of these schools are still felt today, as Indigenous communities work to reclaim their languages and traditions. Although the government promised education, what was delivered caused great harm and is now a major focus of reconciliation efforts.

II. Healthcare
Healthcare was another promise made in the treaties. The government agreed to provide medical services to Indigenous peoples, but these services were often delayed, underfunded, or completely unavailable. Many Indigenous communities lacked hospitals, doctors, and basic medical supplies. This neglect led to high rates of disease, poor living conditions, and a lack of proper care in many areas.

Even today, many Indigenous communities face challenges accessing quality healthcare. Remote reserves, for example, may have few medical services, forcing people to travel long distances for care. Indigenous peoples also face higher rates of illnesses like diabetes and heart disease. These ongoing health disparities are a direct result of the government's failure to fulfill its treaty promises.

III. Land Rights and Resources
For Indigenous peoples, the land is central to their way of life. It provides food, medicine, and a deep spiritual connection. Treaties like Treaty 4 included promises that Indigenous peoples would retain rights to their traditional lands for hunting, fishing, and living. However, many of these promises were broken. Indigenous peoples were often moved to reserves, and the land they were given was usually much smaller and less fertile than their original territories.

One of the most significant issues is the exclusion of mineral rights from many treaties. While Indigenous nations agreed to share the surface of the land, they did not expect to lose the valuable resources below the ground, such as oil, gas, and minerals. These resources were taken by the government and private companies, leaving Indigenous communities without a share in the wealth generated from their land. This has led to significant economic disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Many Indigenous communities remain among the poorest in Canada, despite the fact that the land they were promised holds valuable resources.

IV. Reconciliation Efforts
Although the promises made in treaties were not always kept, there have been efforts in recent years to address these wrongs. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has played a major role in bringing attention to the harm caused by broken treaty promises, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare. The TRC's Calls to Action ask the Canadian government and the public to work towards making things right for Indigenous peoples, including addressing the gaps in healthcare, education, and economic opportunities.

Additionally, there are modern efforts to include Indigenous peoples in the management of natural resources. Impact benefit agreements are now being negotiated between Indigenous communities and companies that want to extract resources from their land. These agreements help ensure that Indigenous peoples receive a share of the profits from their land and have a say in how the land is used.

5. Conclusion

The history of unfulfilled treaty promises is a significant part of Canada’s past and present. Treaties like Treaty 4 were agreements that Indigenous peoples and the Canadian government entered into with the expectation of mutual benefit and respect. Indigenous peoples agreed to share their land in exchange for important services like education and healthcare, as well as the protection of their cultural and land rights. Unfortunately, many of these promises were not honored, leading to lasting impacts on Indigenous communities.

The broken promises of treaties have resulted in economic inequalities, with many Indigenous communities living in poverty while their lands generate wealth for others. Indigenous peoples have faced inadequate healthcare, harmful education systems such as residential schools, and the loss of control over their land. These injustices have shaped the lives of Indigenous peoples for generations and continue to affect their communities today.

However, there is hope for change through reconciliation. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has played a crucial role in bringing attention to these issues and calling for actions to address the wrongs of the past. The TRC's Calls to Action urge Canadians to learn about treaties, respect Indigenous rights, and work toward fulfilling the promises that were made. Efforts such as impact benefit agreements and improved healthcare services are steps in the right direction, but there is still much work to be done.

As students and future leaders, understanding the history of treaties and the importance of fulfilling their promises is essential. It’s important to recognize that we are all part of the treaty relationship, and we all have a role to play in making sure that these agreements are respected. Reconciliation is not just about making up for past mistakes; it’s about building a future where Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians can live together in fairness and respect.

The phrase “We Are All Treaty People” reminds us that treaties are still relevant today. They affect all Canadians, and they are a key part of building a just and inclusive society. By understanding and discussing unfulfilled treaty promises, we can contribute to the ongoing process of reconciliation and help create a better future for everyone.

6. Vocabulary

Understanding these key terms will help you better grasp the ideas discussed in this lesson about treaties and unfulfilled promises.

• Treaty: A formal agreement between two or more nations. In Canada, treaties were made between Indigenous peoples and the Canadian government, involving promises about land, resources, and rights.

• Reconciliation: The process of repairing relationships between Indigenous peoples and non-Indigenous Canadians. This involves acknowledging past wrongs, making amends, and working together to create a fair future.

• Sovereignty: The authority of a nation or group to govern itself. Indigenous peoples maintain sovereignty over their lands and cultures, even though these rights have been challenged throughout history.

• Indian Act: A Canadian law that controls many aspects of Indigenous peoples' lives, such as their status and land use. It has been controversial for limiting Indigenous rights.

• Land Claims: Legal claims made by Indigenous peoples regarding land that was taken or not included in treaties. These claims often aim to restore land rights or seek compensation.

• Mineral Rights: The rights to extract valuable resources like oil, gas, and minerals from the land. In many treaties, Indigenous peoples were not granted mineral rights, which has contributed to economic disparities.

7. Multiple-Choice Questions

Test your understanding of the key ideas from this lesson with the following questions:

1. Which of the following is an example of an unfulfilled promise from Treaty 4?
   a) Access to roads
   b) Control of mineral rights
   c) Freedom from taxes
   d) Creation of modern cities
   Answer: b) Control of mineral rights

2. What does reconciliation mean in the context of treaty promises?
   a) Forgetting past issues
   b) Honoring Indigenous rights and addressing historical injustices
   c) Only providing compensation
   d) Returning land to settlers
   Answer: b) Honoring Indigenous rights and addressing historical injustices

3. What was one goal of the residential schools set up under the promise of education in treaties?
   a) To provide better healthcare
   b) To teach Indigenous languages
   c) To assimilate Indigenous children into non-Indigenous culture
   d) To build new homes for Indigenous families
   Answer: c) To assimilate Indigenous children into non-Indigenous culture

4. What is the significance of the phrase “We Are All Treaty People”?
   a) Only Indigenous peoples are affected by treaties
   b) All Canadians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, are part of the treaty relationship
   c) Treaties no longer affect modern Canadians
   d) Treaties apply only to settlers
   Answer: b) All Canadians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, are part of the treaty relationship

8. References

• Saskatchewan Ministry of Education. (2009). Grade 8 Social Studies Curriculum.

• Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. (2015). 94 Calls to Action Report.

• Office of the Treaty Commissioner. (2008). Treaty Essential Learnings: We Are All Treaty People.

• ChatGPT. (2024). This handout was drafted by an AI language model providing educational support for understanding unfulfilled treaty promises in Canada.