During the 18th Century, France and Britain were competing for the land in North America but by the late 1760s, Britain had become the dominant colonial power due to strategic alliances with many First Nation peoples. After the Seven Years War and the Treaty of Paris, The British Royal Proclamation of 1763 followed and this declared that all lands west of the Alleghenies were “Indian” land but the British held exclusive right to negotiate for First Nation lands.
Proclamation: Province of Upper Canada (Photo credit: BiblioArchives / LibraryArchives)
After the Proclamation was established several treaties were signed, and these have come to be known as the Pre-Confederation Treaties that were signed before 1867. The most notable of these treaties include the Upper Canada Treaties of 1764 to 1862 and the Vancouver Island Treaties from 1850 to 1854. In these treaties, First Nation peoples surrendered lands in present day Ontario and British Columbia, for exchange of reserves, annual payments, and rights to hunt and fish. However, these Treaties were created in Colonial (Western) Law and left out Indigenous languages, and traditional law. With that said, many of the conflicts today arise out of First Nation rights that have not been addressed by Treaties, or other legal means.
It is critical to address the past situations to understand the First Nation communities that you may work with. Understanding the past will be a critical endeavor to promoting a healthy and united relationship.
Related articles
- Mohawk Nation News ‘Royal Proclamation 1763’ (bsnorrell.blogspot.com)
Southwestern Ontario Community-Based & Consultation Archaeology Project 