Page 73 - Beausoleil First Nation

1903 United Indian Councils is formed to deal with claims.

1915 Canada appoints R. V. Sinclair to deal with claims.

1916 Sinclair proposes the settlement of claims through a treaty.

1921 Canada proposes a joint investigation with Ontario; O. M. Biggar
is appointed.

1922 (Jan) Dominion–Provincial agreement on a treaty is recommended.
(May) Ontario Order in Council is passed.

(June) Federal Order in Council is passed.
(Aug) Privy Council establishes the Williams Commission.

1923 (Sep) The Commission collects evidence from First Nations.
• The Commission denies to First Nations that they “own” the lands
or that they are entitled to any large settlement.

• The Commission expressly states their trust responsibilities to the
First Nations.

• First Nations notify the Commission of unsurrendered southern
lands.

• The Commissioners state that they have no interest in the
southern lands.
• First Nations request cash, hunting and fishing rights, and lands as
terms for settlement.

• The Commissioners value northern lands as “almost incalculable”;
southern lands are valued at $30 000 000; they do not evaluate
the Gunshot Treaty lands.

• The Commissioners recommend to the Ontario Cabinet a
settlement package that consists of $730 000 and no reserve
lands.
(Oct) An Ontario Order in Council authorizes a treaty for
northern lands.
(Nov) The Commissioners travel to each First Nation and obtain
signatures on the treaty.
(Dec) The Commissioners file their report, which includes references
to First Nations settlement requests, including cash, hunting and
fishing rights, and reserve lands.

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