Treaty 11: The Understanding the Significance of Signing
Our First Nation coexists peacefully with settlers in Northwest Territories, British Columbia, and Yukon. As signatories of Treaty Eleven, we recognize its significance.
Signed in 1921, Treaty Eleven was a peace agreement between First Nations and the Canadian government during Canada’s expansion. Key tribes involved were the Dene, Gwich’in, Tlicho, and Sahtu. The treaty followed the discovery of oil and gas in the Mackenzie region but had rushed negotiations and incomplete terms, leading to disputes over land claims and reserves.
Treaty Eleven, covering 620,000 square kilometres for nearly 3,400 people, offered money, supplies, and guarantees in exchange for land. However, its vague terms caused confusion, particularly around agriculture and education.
The treaty promised reserves, hunting, fishing, and trapping rights, financial payments, clothing, medals, flags, schools, agricultural tools, and hunting and fishing equipment. Despite this, many oral promises were omitted from the final document, leading to unmet expectations and unfulfilled promises.
According to the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, many oral promises made during negotiations were not included in the written treaty (RCAP, 1996). The negotiations were hastily organized, aiming to reassure signatories about the treaty’s benefits. Many were unaware of the implications of land surrender.
Canada initiated negotiations with typical symbolism and formalities. Indigenous requests were largely ignored until mineral development threatened the region. Indian agents were sent north, and missionary schools and hospitals received federal funding, but long-term protections for Indigenous communities were lacking.
After the Norman Wells oil strike in 1920, the government’s interest focused on securing land from Indigenous peoples. The predetermined treaty terms were uniformly applied without alterations or oral promises. Convincing Indigenous communities of the treaty’s adequacy proved difficult.
Indigenous leaders signed the treaty based on assurances that have not been demonstrated over time. Canada’s prosperity in the North came at the expense of Indigenous populations.
Chiefs and leaders briefly became politically significant, then returned to obscurity once their utility expired. Treaty Eleven mainly served government interests in securing lands for national mineral development. After signing the treaty, Indigenous leaders were consulted less frequently by government officials, reducing their influence in regional decisions. Economic benefits from resource extraction largely bypassed local communities, contributing to socioeconomic disparities.
Ongoing protests and contemporary land claims negotiations illustrate unresolved issues from the initial treaty. The hasty treaty negotiations addressed Canada’s need to develop the north but neglected adequate consideration for Indigenous rights and entitlements, leading to continuing disputes.
Ultimately as First Nations of the North, it has been said that Chief’s signed because they trusted their [Canada’s] words, but our land and way of life changed forever. The oral histories collected highlight the ongoing concerns about land stewardship.