Page 58 - Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation

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.

Our Elders tell us that when our people signed the 1923 Williams
WORDS TO KNOW
Treaties, they were made to sign a blank piece of paper, and
compensation: payment for
they did not receive enough compensation promised for the
loss, damage, or effort
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 includes the right
to education. Our treaty rights came about in exchange for our
agreement to share our lands. It was agreed that all First Nations
people would be entitled to these rights, which in many treaties
were granted “for as long as the sun shines and the rivers flow.”
Despite these assurances, the federal government has not
always upheld its end of the treaty agreements, and many First
Nations, including our people, have been forced to fight for
these rights through the courts (the legal system).

56 Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation

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