Treaties and Policies
Middle School
Definition
The formal agreements between governments and Indigenous nations, and the government policies that followed. They shaped land rights and relationships and have lasting effects that are central to reconciliation.
Worked examples
The Numbered Treaties (1871–1921) signed between the Crown and First Nations across the Prairies and northern Canada.
These treaties promised land reserves, payments, and rights in exchange for land sharing, but interpretations differed.
The Indian Act (1876) — a federal policy that controlled nearly every aspect of Indigenous peoples' lives without their consent.
This policy imposed government control over status, land, and governance, overriding treaty promises.
Modern treaties like the Nisga'a Final Agreement (2000) negotiate self-government and land title directly.
These agreements aim to address past wrongs and recognize Indigenous rights and sovereignty.
Common mistakes
- Treaties were only about giving up land in exchange for money. → Treaties were nation-to-nation agreements meant to share land and establish ongoing relationships. Indigenous nations understood treaties as partnerships, not one-time sales; promises included rights that continue today.
- All treaties and policies were the same across Canada. → Different treaties had different terms, and some regions have no treaties at all. The Numbered Treaties, Maritime Peace and Friendship Treaties, and modern treaties each have unique terms and contexts.
- Treaties are old history that don't matter anymore. → Treaties are living agreements with legal force today and are central to reconciliation. Court cases, land claims, and reconciliation efforts today all rely on understanding and honoring these agreements.
Where you'll use it next
You'll explore treaties and policies when studying Canadian history, Indigenous rights, constitutional law, and current reconciliation efforts like the TRC Calls to Action and UNDRIP.
See also
ReconciliationIndigenous GovernancePre-Contact CulturesRights and FreedomsSovereigntyBritish Colonial Period
Reviewed by Pat Cheng, M.Ed. — StudyPug Curriculum Lead · Last updated June 6, 2026