Page 57 - Georgina Island

Treaty Rights

A treaty is a nation-to-nation agreement. To us, treaty rights
are a simple matter. They are all the items set down in our
treaties years ago, to be honoured by both sides. Unfortunately,
some treaty agreements have often not been honoured. Rights
outlined in our treaties have been twisted, ignored, or stripped
away, depending upon the decisions of the government of
the time.

Treaties that we signed before Canada became a country, such
as the 1785–1787 Collins Treaty, have always been contested by
the Canadian government because they were signed with the
WORDS TO KNOW
British Crown. Our Elders tell us that when our people signed the
1923 Williams Treaties, they were made to sign a blank piece of compensation: payment for
loss, damage, or effort
paper and they did not receive enough compensation promised
for the lands removed from our control. Many things were
promised verbally, such as additional reserve lands, and hunting
and fishing rights. We work hard to ensure that Canada honours
these promises.

If you live in a town or city, you live by the laws of the country,
the province, and the municipality. We also live by the laws of
the country and the province, as well as by the laws of our First
Nation. To receive benefits provided to the First Nation under
the treaties (e.g., health services), we must be registered and be
a member of a First Nation. For some benefits, we must reside in
the First Nation territory (i.e., the reserve). One basic treaty right
for all Status Indians is the right to education.

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