Treaty Day in Indian Country
by Gilbert Oskaboose

Have spent the last few minutes browsing through the Robinson-Huron Treaty of 1850 - the document that created my reservation - Serpent River #7 in northern Ontario - 250 long years ago.

A line caught my eye. The fifth paragraph reads:

The said William Benjamin Robinson, on behalf of her Majesty, who desires to deal liberally and justly with all her subjects, further promises and agrees, that should the Territory hereby ceded by the parties of the second part at any future period produce such an amount that will enable the Government of this Province, without incurring loss, to increase the annuity hereby secured to them, then and in that case the same shall be augmented from time to time, provided that the amount paid shall not exceed the sum of one pound Provincial Currency in any one year, or such further sum as Her Majesty may be graciously pleased to order...

So its up to Her Majesty, if she still wishes to deal "liberally and justly with all her subjects..." to increase the annual treaty payment. I believe the Territory ceded has more than produced such an amount that would allow the Government, without incurring loss, to increase the annuity. This province has taken countless billions of dollars from the logging, mining and fishing industries, just to name a few sources of income. As far back as I can remember the treaty payment has been $4.00 per person per year, a pittance compared to the profit derived by the party to the first part. One would think that it would "graciously please her Majesty" to increase the annuity to at least begin to reflect the realities of modern life in Canada. Are we being too greedy to ask for a little more? $4.00 dollars a year wouldnt even buy a pack of cigarettes today!

Many Canadians believe that Indians have bad backs from staggering home under "tons" of treaty money every year. Many believe we live the good life on our reserves, wallowing around in thousands of dollars in "treaty money." Well, welcome to the real world, Canuck. On my reserve, and on most others, treaty money amounts to the grand total of 4.00 dollars or less. And you dont even get that unless you are prepared, on "Treaty Day," to line up like school children to receive your annual payment. I do it, not because of the money but because of the legal agreement, or "treaty," that it represents. We have keep the faith in this Treaty between sovereign nations.

An annual treaty payment of five thousand dollars each would at least begin to reflect the financial realities of today and it could be done without the Government "incurring loss." Such a payment would at least begin to address the problems of poverty pandemic to Indian County. Such a payment would at least begin to reflect the realities of a "liberal and just" sharing of the wealth of this province.

Is this the white notion of a "just and liberal" agreement between themselves and a people who could barely speak the English language at the time this treaty was drawn up and agreed to? Is this an "honorable" agreement with native people capable only of making "their mark" to indicate agreement with the treaty? If so, then what you consider your "honor" does not bear scrutiny.