Treaty 4 is a treaty established between Queen Victoria and the Cree and Saulteaux First Nation band governments. The area covered by Treaty 4 represents most of current day southern Saskatchewan, plus small portions of what are today western Manitoba and southeastern Alberta. This treaty is also called the "Qu'appelle Treaty," as its first signings were conducted at Fort Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan on 15 September 1874. Additional signings or adhesions would continue until September 1877. This treaty is only indigenous treaty in Canada that has a corresponding indigenous interpretation (a pictograph made at the time by Chief Paskwa)
The Government of Canada negotiated the first five Numbered Treaties to gain land from the First Nations for settlement, agricultural and industry. Also, Prime Minister John A. Macdonald saw the land as necessary to complete a transcontinental railway, which would run through the cities of Regina, Moose Jaw, and Swift Current in southern Saskatchewan.
Each family of 5 covered by Treaty 4 would receive 1 square mile (2.59 square km) of land, which they could sell back to the Government of Canada for compensation. Each person received $5 a year and a gift of clothing. A chief would receive $25 immediately plus an additional $25 per year, along with a coat and a silver medal. Every three years, a chief would receive a new suit of clothing. Four people of each band would also receive $15 a year and a new suit of clothing every three years. The people would also receive farming tools portioned by family. The tribe also was to receive powder, shot, ball and twine, in all to the value of $750 annually. Each reserve would get a school when they desired a teacher. The people would also have the right to hunt and fish on all ceded land, except that land used for agriculture, forestry, mining, or on any land that was settled. The treaties are supposed to last forever.
15 September 1874: first signings at Fort Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan
21 September 1874: Fort Ellice signing
8 September 1875: Qu'Appelle Lakes signing
9 September 1875: additional Qu'Appelle Lakes signing
24 September 1875: Swan Lake signing
24 August 1876: Fort Pelly signing
25 September 1877: Fort Walsh signing
Manitoba
Swampy Cree Tribal Council the chief of the tribe
Chemawawin Cree Nation—Treaty 5 signatory council member
Grand Rapids First Nation—Treaty 5 signatory council member
Marcel Colomb First Nation—Treaty 6 signatory council member
Mathias Colomb First Nation—Treaty 6 signatory council member
Mosakahiken Cree Nation—Treaty 5 signatory council member
Opaskwayak Cree Nation—Treaty 5 signatory council member
Sapotaweyak Cree Nation
Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation
West Region Tribal Council
Ebb and Flow First Nation—Treaty 2 signatory council member
Gamblers First Nation
Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation—Treaty 2 signatory council member
O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First Nation—Treaty 2 signatory council member
Pine Creek First Nation
Rolling River First Nation
Skownan First Nation—Treaty 2 signatory council member
Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve First Nation
independent
Waywayseecappo First Nation
Saskatchewan
File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council
Carry The Kettle First Nation
Little Black Bear First Nation
Muscowpetung First Nation
Nekaneet First Nation
Okanese First Nation
Pasqua First Nation
Peepeekisis First Nation
Piapot First Nation
Standing Buffalo First Nation—non-Treaty signatory council member; included in Treaty 4
Star Blanket Cree Nation
Wood Mountain First Nation—non-Treaty signatory council member; included in Treaty 4
Saskatoon Tribal Council
Kinistin Saulteaux Nation
Mistawasis First Nation—Treaty 6 signatory council member
Muskeg Lake First Nation—Treaty 6 signatory council member
Muskoday First Nation—Treaty 6 signatory council member
One Arrow First Nation—Treaty 6 signatory council member
Whitecap Dakota First Nation—non-Treaty signatory council member
Yellow Quill First Nation
Touchwood Agency Tribal Council
Day Star First Nation
Fishing Lake First Nation
Gordon First Nation
Kawacatoose First Nation
Muskowekwan First Nation
Yorkton Tribal Administration
Coté First Nation
Kahkewistahaw First Nation
Keeseekoose First Nation
Ocean Man First Nation—Treaty 4 signatory though in Treaty 2 area
Sakimay First Nation
The Key First Nation
independent
Cowessess First Nation
Ochapowace First Nation
Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation—Treaty 4 signatory though in Treaty 2 area
White Bear First Nation—Treaty 4 signatory though in Treaty 2 area
