Spotlight: HBCA in words and images

The Selkirk Treaty and Map

The Selkirk Treaty and map are part of a series of legal records relating to the Red River Settlement that were most likely acquired by the Archives Department of the Hudson's Bay Company from HBC's solicitors, Freshfields, Leese and Munn, in 1923.

In 1811, 116,000 square miles of land in what is now Manitoba was granted to one of HBC’s controlling stockholders, Thomas Douglas, the 5th Earl of Selkirk. Lord Selkirk was a Scottish nobleman who wished to settle displaced Highlanders, among others, on the fertile lands surrounding the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. The Red River Settlement – the first European agricultural colony in Western Canada – was established the following year.

Transcript of the Selkirk Treaty (PDF)

The treaty is handwritten and signed by Lord Selkirk. Several drawings of animals represent the signatures of the Chiefs and Warriors of the Chippeaway or Sautaux Nation and the Killistine or Cree Nation. There is a snake for Mache Wheseab, a fish for Mechkaddewikonaie, a fish for Kayajieskebinoa, a small animal for Pegowis, and a bear for Ouckidoat. Link opens a larger version of the image.
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Hand drawn map of the area covered by the Selkirk Treaty. It includes two mile tracts along both sides of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. The same animal figures used to represent the signatures of the indigenous leaders are indicated on the map. Link opens a larger version of the image.
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In order to provide for the peaceful continuation of the settlement, Lord Selkirk and his representatives negotiated with Indigenous leaders in the area for possession or use of the land extending in two mile tracts along both sides of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers in exchange for an annual payment or gift.

On July 18, 1817, Lord Selkirk signed the treaty with 5 leaders referred to in the document as “Chiefs and Warriors of the Chippeaway or Sautaux Nation, and the Killistine or Cree Nation.” It has become widely known as the Selkirk Treaty. This is the first formal written agreement in Western Canada recognizing Indigenous land rights. It was superseded by Treaty I in 1871.

See past features in the Spotlight Archive.

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