4. The Treaties

There are eleven Numbered Treaties signed between the Crown and First Nations from 1871 to 1921. There are six numbered Treaties in Saskatchewan. (Treaty 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10) signed between 1871 - 1906 (Adhesions signed later). NOTE: No First Nation from Treaty 2 lives in Saskatchewan.

First Nations people maintain that promises made during negotiations were binding, even those that did not appear in the text of the Treaty. Treaty Commissioners made some promises that were not incorporated into the written Treaty.

Sacred Pipe ceremonies at the beginning of negotiations were statements of faith by the Indian people. Government participation in these ceremonies was taken as acceptance of the significance of this practice.

Indian people believe that the Treaties are binding agreements that are to last forever.

Present day interpretation of the Treaties continues to be defined by the courts and more recently, at treaty tables established between Canada and First Nations.