Treaty 4

Quick Facts: Who was Treaty 4?

Subject:

Treaty 4

Known for:

A foundational treaty between the Canadian Crown and Cree/Saulteaux First Nations.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Treaty 4 is a treaty established between Queen Victoria and the Cree and Saulteaux First Nation band governments. The area covered by Treaty 4 represents most of current day southern Saskatchewan, plus small portions of what are today western Manitoba and southeastern Alberta. This treaty is also called the Qu'Appelle Treaty, as its first signings were conducted at Fort Qu'Appelle, North-West Territories, on 15 September 1874.

Career & Major Achievements

Additional signings or adhesions continued until September 1877. This treaty is the only Indigenous treaty in Canada that has a corresponding indigenous interpretation (a pictograph made at the time by Chief Paskwa). In 1870, Hudson's Bay Company sold Rupert's Land for £300,000 to the Dominion of Canada.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The company's land covered the edge of the Rocky Mountains to the Great Lakes and was divided into the province of Manitoba and the North-West Territories. The Indigenous peoples whose traditional territories were sold were not included in the land transfer negotiations. After learning of the transaction, the Indigenous people demanded recognition and compensation.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1870: 1870 Milestone — In 1870, Hudson's Bay Company sold Rupert's Land for £300,000 to the Dominion of Canada.
2. 1874: 1874 Milestone — This treaty is also called the Qu'Appelle Treaty, as its first signings were conducted at Fort Qu'Appelle, North-West Territories, on 15 September 1874.
3. 1877: 1877 Milestone — Additional signings or adhesions continued until September 1877.

Notable Quotes by Treaty 4

“The treaty is the only Indigenous treaty in Canada that has a corresponding indigenous interpretation (a pictograph made at the time by Chief Paskwa).”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Treaty 4

True or False: “True or False: The sale of Rupert's Land by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1870 included the full recognition and compensation of all Indigenous peoples.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): False. The Indigenous peoples whose traditional territories were sold were not included in the initial land transfer negotiations, which was a primary reason for the subsequent treaty process.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abby Aldrich Rockefeller — Historical peer (Born in 1874) (1874): American socialite and influential philanthropist, key patron of modern art.
• Adolphe Quetelet — Historical peer (Died in 1874) (1874): Pioneering Belgian statistician, founder of anthropometry, and social scientist.
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• Aga Khan III — Historical peer (Born in 1877) (1877): 48th Imam of the Nizari Isma'ili community and founder of the All-India Muslim League.
• Adam Lindsay Gordon — Historical peer (Died in 1870) (1870): Pioneering British-Australian poet, horseman, and politician of the Victorian era.
• Adolf Loos — Historical peer (Born in 1870) (1870): Pioneering architect and theorist of modernism, known for his critique of ornamentation.

Frequently Asked Questions about Treaty 4