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, Saskatchewan21 September 1874: Fort Ellice signing8 September 1875: Qu'Appelle Lakes signing9 September 1875: additional Qu'Appelle Lakes signing24 September 1875: Swan Lake signing24 August 1876: Fort Pelly signing25 September 1877: Fort Walsh signingManitobaSwampy Cree Tribal Council the chief of the tribeChemawawin Cree Nation—Treaty 5 signatory council memberGrand Rapids First Nation—Treaty 5 signatory council memberMarcel Colomb First Nation—Treaty 6 signatory council memberMathias Colomb First Nation—Treaty 6 signatory council memberMosakahiken Cree Nation—Treaty 5 signatory council memberOpaskwayak Cree Nation—Treaty 5 signatory council memberSapotaweyak Cree NationWuskwi Sipihk First NationWest Region Tribal CouncilEbb and Flow First Nation—Treaty 2 signatory council memberGamblers First NationKeeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation—Treaty 2 signatory council memberO-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First Nation—Treaty 2 signatory council memberPine Creek First NationRolling River First NationSkownan First Nation—Treaty 2 signatory council memberTootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve First NationindependentWaywayseecappo First NationSaskatchewanFile Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal CouncilCarry The Kettle First NationLittle Black Bear First NationMuscowpetung First NationNekaneet First NationOkanese First NationPasqua First NationPeepeekisis First NationPiapot First NationStanding Buffalo First Nation—non-Treaty signatory council member; included in Treaty 4Star Blanket Cree NationWood Mountain First Nation—non-Treaty signatory council member; included in Treaty 4Saskatoon Tribal CouncilKinistin Saulteaux NationMistawasis First Nation—Treaty 6 signatory council memberMuskeg Lake First Nation—Treaty 6 signatory council memberMuskoday First Nation—Treaty 6 signatory council memberOne Arrow First Nation—Treaty 6 signatory council memberWhitecap Dakota First Nation—non-Treaty signatory council memberYellow Quill First NationTouchwood Agency Tribal CouncilDay Star First NationFishing Lake First NationGordon First NationKawacatoose First NationMuskowekwan First NationYorkton Tribal AdministrationCoté First NationKahkewistahaw First NationKeeseekoose First NationOcean Man First Nation—Treaty 4 signatory though in Treaty 2 areaSakimay First NationThe Key First NationindependentCowessess First NationOchapowace First NationPheasant Rump Nakota First Nation—Treaty 4 signatory though in Treaty 2 areaWhite Bear First Nation—Treaty 4 signatory though in Treaty 2 area
