Treaty 8 was an agreement signed on June 21, 1899 between the Government of Canada and various First Nations at Lesser Slave Lake. Adhesions to this agreement were signed that same year on July 1 at Peace River Landing, July 6 at Dunvegan, July 8 at Vermilion, July 13 at Fort Chipewyan, July 17 at Smith's Landing, July 25 and 27 at Fond du Lac, August 4 at Fort McMurray and August 14 at Wabasca Lake. Further Adhesions were in 1900 on May 13 at Fort St. John, June 8 at Lesser Slave Lake, June 23 at Vermilion and July 25 at Fort Resolution. The land covered by Treaty 8 is larger than France and includes northern Alberta, northeastern British Columbia, northwestern Saskatchewan and a southernmost portion of the Northwest Territories. System of government Canada is a constitutional monarchy as a Commonwealth Realm (see Monarchy in Canada) with a federal system of parliamentary government, and strong democratic traditions. ... Carved mask in Vancouver First Nations is a term of ethnicity used in Canada. ... Lesser Slave Lake is a lake located in central Alberta, Canada, northwest of Edmonton. ... Dunvegan castle, Scotland Dunvegan is a town on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. ... Vermilion, also spelled vermillion, when found naturally-occuring, is often a reddish orange pigment, used since antiquity, originally derived from the powdered mineral cinnabar. ... Fort Chipewyan is the oldest European settlement in the province of Alberta, Canada. ... Fond du Lac is a city located in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin. ... Fort McMurray is a town in the northeastern part of Canadas western province of Alberta, in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Alberta. ... Fort Saint John (more common spelling Fort St. ... Lesser Slave Lake is a lake located in central Alberta, Canada, northwest of Edmonton. ... Vermilion, also spelled vermillion, when found naturally-occuring, is often a reddish orange pigment, used since antiquity, originally derived from the powdered mineral cinnabar. ... Motto: Fortis et liber (Latin: Strong and free) Official languages English Flower Wild rose Capital Edmonton Largest city Calgary Lieutenant-Governor Norman Kwong Premier Ralph Klein (PC) Parliamentary representation  - House seat  - Senate seats 28 6 Area Total  - Land  - Water    (% of total)  Ranked 6th 661,848 km² 642,317 km² 19... Motto: Splendor Sine Occasu (Latin: Splendour without diminishment) Official languages none stated in law; English is de facto Flower Pacific dogwood Capital Victoria Largest city Vancouver Lieutenant-Governor Iona Campagnolo Premier Gordon Campbell (BC Liberal) Parliamentary representation  - House seat  - Senate seats 36 6 Area Total  - Land  - Water    (% of total)  Ranked... Motto: Multis E Gentibus Vires (Latin: From many peoples, strength) Official languages English Flower Western Red Lily Capital Regina Largest city Saskatoon Lieutenant-Governor Gordon Barnhart Premier Lorne Calvert (NDP) Parliamentary representation  - House seat  - Senate seats 14 6 Area Total  - Land  - Water    (% of total)  Ranked 7th 651,036 km² 591... Motto: None Official languages Dene Suline, Cree, Dogrib, English, French, Gwichin, Inuktitut, Slavey Capital Yellowknife Largest city Yellowknife Commissioner Tony Whitford Premier Joe Handley (Consensus government - no party affiliations) Parliamentary representation  - House seat  - Senate seats 1 1 Area Total  â€¢ Land  â€¢ Water    (% of total)  Ranked 3rd 1,346,106 km...

Cheif Keenooshayoo was one of the First Nations signatories to Treaty 8.

First Nations that are considered signatories to Treaty 8 include Woodland Cree, Dunneza (or "Beaver") and Chipewyan. The Dunneza (also Dunne-za, Beaver, Tasttine) are Athapaskan Aboriginal peoples whose traditional territory is around the Peace River of Alberta, Canada. ... The Chipewyan are an aboriginal people in Canada. ...

Treaty 8 is one of eleven numbered treaties made between the Government of Canada and First Nations. The numbered treaties are a series of eleven treaties signed between First Nations in Canada and Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, King Edward VII or King George V from 1871 to 1921. ...

The Government of Canada had between 1871 and 1877 signed Treaties 1 to 7. Treaties 1 to 7 covered the southern portions of what was the Northwest Territories. At that time, the Government of Canada had not considered a Treaty with the First Nations in what would be the Treaty 8 territory necessary, as conditions in the north were not considered conducive to settlement. However in the mid-1890's, the Klondike Gold Rush began to draw Europeans northward into the previous undisturbed territory. The increase contact and conflict between First Nations of the region and Europeans caused the Government of Canada enter into Treaty 8. Motto: None Official languages Dene Suline, Cree, Dogrib, English, French, Gwichin, Inuktitut, Slavey Capital Yellowknife Largest city Yellowknife Commissioner Tony Whitford Premier Joe Handley (Consensus government - no party affiliations) Parliamentary representation  - House seat  - Senate seats 1 1 Area Total  â€¢ Land  â€¢ Water    (% of total)  Ranked 3rd 1,346,106 km... A typical gold mining operation, on Bonanza Creek The Klondike Gold Rush was a frenzy of gold rush immigration to and gold prospecting along the Klondike River near Dawson City in the Yukon Territory, Canada, after gold was discovered in the late 19th century. ...

Father Albert Lacombe, a trusted Catholic missionary, had been asked by Canadian officials to be present to help convince First Nations that it was in their interest to enter into a treaty. He was present on June 21, 1899 and assured First Nations that their lives would remain, more or less, unchanged. He was also present at some of the meetings at which adhesions were signed. Father Albert Lacombe circa 1913. ...

The elements of Treaty 8 included provisions to maintain livelihood for the native populations in this 840 000 km² region. The affected First Nations were also to keep rights to water and minerals, including underground rights. The treaty also exempted the natives from military service, capital punishment and taxes.

Gordon Benoit, a Mikisew Cree, filed a legal challenge against income taxes in 1992 citing Treaty 8 rights still applied. His case was upheld in 2002 at the federal court level, but was subsequently overturned by the Federal Court of Appeal and in 2004 the Supreme Court of Canada refused to hear a further appeal. Benoit had his housing and employment outside a reservation. A section of the Canadian Indian Act provides tax exemption for properties and jobs only within reserves. The Federal Court of Canada was the court system set up by the Canadian national government to resolve disputes that arise under the national governments jurisdiction. ... The Supreme Court Building in Ottawa The Supreme Court of Canada (French: Cour suprême du Canada) is highest court of Canada and is the final court of appeal for all litigants in the Canadian justice system. ... The Indian Act of Canada (1876) (full title An Act respecting Indians) is an Act which establishes the rights of registered Indians and of their bands. ...

See also

• Numbered Treaties

The numbered treaties are a series of eleven treaties signed between First Nations in Canada and Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, King Edward VII or King George V from 1871 to 1921. ...

References

• Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta
• Treaty 8 Tribal Association (British Columbia)
• List of Treaty 8 First Nations in Saskatchewan

External link

• Collections Canada: Treaty 8