Treaty Day 2025

What non-Indigenous folks need to know

Today, October 1st, is Treaty Day.

As a child of Muslim immigrants from the Global South, I live, work, and play on Epek’wtik, the traditional and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq Peoples. We are governed by the Peace and Friendship Treaty of 1725. I recognize my duty to honour my part of the treaty, while recognizing that I, as a non-Indigenous person, have a role to play to support the efforts toward Indigenous rights and liberation beyond this duty. And so, I write this post for other non-Indigenous folks to better understand why treaties matter, but also why there is much work to be done.

Treaty Day is a day set aside to recognize, celebrate, and honour the treaties made between Indigenous peoples and the Crown (the Canadian government). It’s a way to acknowledge the historic agreements that were intended to establish peaceful relationships, share land, and outline mutual responsibilities. Treaty Day also serves as an opportunity to educate the public about the importance of treaties and Indigenous rights.

Treaty Day events often include ceremonies, cultural activities, storytelling, and educational programs to deepen understanding of treaty relationships.

Why Treaty Day matters

1. Honouring Agreements: Treaties weren’t just historical documents; they are living legal agreements. They outline promises about land, resources, governance, and rights that the Canadian government still has a legal and moral duty to uphold. Treaty Day reminds people of these commitments.
2. Education and Awareness: Most non-Indigenous people living on Turtle Island aren’t fully aware of the treaties or what they mean. Treaty Day provides an opportunity to learn about Indigenous history, the conditions of treaty-making, and how these agreements affect Indigenous peoples today.
3. Reconciliation: The government’s path toward reconciliation with Indigenous peoples involves facing the truth of past and present injustices, including broken treaty promises, colonial policies, and forced signing of treaties (see below for more details). Treaty Day encourages reflection, dialogue, and concrete action toward developing relationships, not only for the government but all non-Indigenous peoples living on Turtle Island.
4. Cultural Celebration: It’s also a day to celebrate Indigenous cultures, languages, and communities. Events often include traditional ceremonies, music, dance, and storytelling, which help preserve and share Indigenous heritage.
5. Advocacy and Rights: Treaty Day can be a platform for advocating Indigenous rights, land claims, and self-determination. It highlights that treaties are not relics—they are active legal frameworks, recognized by international law as well, shaping governance, land use, and justice.

Quick Summary

Timeline of Treaties in Canada

1701–1760s – Early Peace & Friendship Treaties

• Location: Maritimes, Ontario, Quebec
• Purpose: Establish trade, peace, and alliances
• Key Point: Land was not surrendered; agreements focused on coexistence

1763 – Royal Proclamation

• Issued by the British Crown after the Seven Years’ War
• Recognized Indigenous land rights and required treaties for land cession
• Foundation for modern treaty law in Canada

1871–1921 – Numbered Treaties (Treaties 1–11)

• Location: Prairie provinces, northern Ontario, parts of BC, Northwest Territories
• Purpose: Share or cede land to the Crown in exchange for:
  • Reserve lands
  • Annual payments
  • Education and health support
• Significance: Enabled western settlement but also laid the groundwork for future disputes

1930s–1970s – Limited Treaty Activity

• Focus: Small agreements, mainly for resource use
• Treaties were less common; many Indigenous communities relied on historic treaties

1975–Present – Modern Treaties / Land Claims Agreements

• Examples: James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (1975), Nisga’a Treaty (2000)
• Purpose: Address unceded lands, self-government, and modern Indigenous rights
• Significance: Treaties continue to evolve, reflecting Indigenous sovereignty and contemporary issues

Under Duress – A Hallmark of Colonial Violence

While treaties were technically agreements, in many cases Indigenous leaders signed under pressure, duress, or in extremely difficult circumstances. Here’s some context:

Economic and Social Pressures

• By the late 1800s, Indigenous communities were facing disease, famine, and the collapse of traditional livelihoods, in large part due to European settlement and policies.
• For example, in the Prairies, the bison herds had been almost wiped out, which devastated Indigenous food systems. This created urgent survival needs, making treaties more coercive in practice.

Political Pressure and Power Imbalance

• The Canadian government held overwhelming military, political, and legal power.
• Indigenous leaders often had little real choice if they wanted to secure protection, food, or basic resources for their communities.
• Promises were sometimes presented as “take it or leave it,” creating a de facto coercion.

Misrepresentation and Miscommunication

• Many treaties were negotiated in English, sometimes with translators who didn’t fully convey the meaning in Indigenous languages.
• Indigenous leaders often understood treaties as agreements for sharing land and resources, not permanently giving them away.
• The Crown often presented them as permanent land surrender agreements, leading to a fundamental misunderstanding.

Legal and Moral Implications Today

• Courts now recognize that many treaties were made under duress or with unequal bargaining power.
• This is one reason why modern treaty rights, land claims, and reconciliation efforts continue — Indigenous nations are asserting that the spirit and intent of treaties must be respected, not just the written words.

In short, while treaties were framed as agreements, the reality was that many Indigenous communities had limited options and were under significant pressure, which makes these treaties both legally and morally complex today.

Important Takeaways

Remembering the Full History

Treaty Day isn’t just a celebration—it’s a moment to reflect on the true context of treaties:

• Many agreements were signed under duress, during famine, or in situations of extreme power imbalance.
• Recognizing this helps non-Indigenous peoples living on Turtle Island understand that treaties were not always “fair deals,” but often survival strategies for Indigenous communities.

Acknowledging Ongoing Obligations

Even when treaties were signed under pressure, the Crown is legally and morally obligated to uphold them.

• Treaty Day reminds governments and citizens that treaty rights are living rights, not relics of the past.
• It’s a call to respect Indigenous sovereignty, land rights, and cultural survival.

Education and Awareness

Treaty Day provides an opportunity to:

• Teach non-Indigenous peoples living on Turtle Island that treaties often involved coercion and misunderstanding.
• Challenge myths that Indigenous peoples “freely gave up land.”
• Highlight the resilience and leadership of Indigenous communities in protecting their rights.

Reconciliation in Action

Understanding the duress under which treaties were made is key to reconciliation:

• It emphasizes the need to listen to Indigenous voices and honour the spirit of the treaties.
• It shows that reconciliation is not just symbolic; it requires action to address historical and ongoing injustices.

Cultural and Community Celebration

Treaty Day also honours Indigenous survival, resilience, and culture:

• Celebrations of language, ceremony, and community remind everyone that Indigenous nations continue to thrive despite historic pressures.

In short: Treaty Day is about remembering history, acknowledging ongoing responsibilities, educating the public, and celebrating Indigenous resilience. Understanding that many treaties were signed under duress makes the day more than a formality—it’s a moment for truth, justice, and meaningful action.