Native American Treaties Essay, Research Paper

(1) Introduction

The word treaty could be defined in many ways. It is most likely to be defined as agreements made between two nations. But to the Indians, treaties were simply an inevitable agreement, which the whites requested.

The madness started when the European explorers reached North America. The Indians lived scattered in the area. Some lived a semi-nomadic lifestyle, moving from camp to camp to harvest vital foods, such as maple sap, venison, and wild rice, according to the seasons. Because of the greed from the European settlers, the Indians were forced to move from one position to another.

As more and more settlers pushed into the west region in search of timber and rare minerals, the United States government has made many treaties with the Indians. Most of the treaties were for large amounts of land that were exchanged for promises of small amounts of money, schooling, equipment, and food.

(2) For Example:

The United States government bought land from the Ojibwe Indians through cession treaties. Vast quantities of land were exchanged for promises of small amounts of money, schooling, equipment, and whatever the Ojibwe desired.

In 1825 the Ojibwe Indians participated in a treaty that defined the boundaries of Great Chippewa Nation and the Great Sioux Nation. The United States recognized that the Ojibwe owned vast acres of what are now Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

They encouraged the signing of the 1825 treaty in order to end continuing land disputes between the Ojibwe and the Sioux and secure a peaceful frontier for settlers.

The Ojibwe leaders kept the right to hunt, fish, and gather on lands they sold to the United States government in the mid 1800s. This would ensure that future generations would be able to survive and always have access to food and supplies.

(3)People who do not tolerate the treaty rights

The rise of anti-Indian organization and national networking correlates with the recent strengthening of tribal governments as they assert legally affirmed rights. For one, the right to self-government is being asserted by many tribes. Treaty-reserved rights, such as those to hunt, fish and gather and tribal rights to water, land and minerals may be perceived as threatening traditional state jurisdiction, as well as access to wealth.

The anti-Indian movement as we know it today is actually a composite of small, regional organizations scattered throughout the country and generally centered on one or two issues: Indian treaty rights or jurisdiction.

The movement became most vocal and organized during the early days of the Boldt decision, a federal court decision in the State of Washington, which reaffirmed the fishing rights of Indian tribes in the Northwest during the 1970 s. S/SPAWN (Steelhead/Salmon Protective Association & Wildlife Network), Redmond, Wash., was one of the leading organizations and remains active today.

(2) Treaties:

Some treaties that were made close to where we live are

Zebulon Pike treaty with Sioux (Dakota) ceded most of Minneapolis and St. Paul the land Fort Snelling (and the airport) are located on. Treaty describes the purpose of land cession as for military fort.Mendota treaty, Mdewakanton and Wahpekeute Same as Traverse des Sioux, 2 other bands signed at Mendota, ceding all Sioux lands in Minnesota and creating 2 strips 150 miles along river as reservation.

(4) Groups that tried to help the Indians

The network is

The Midwest Treaty Network is an alliance of Indian and non-Indian community groups that support the sovereign rights of Native American nations. While founded in the context of the Chippewa (Ojibwe) treaty struggle, it is concerned generally with defending and strengthening Native cultures and nationhood, protecting Mother Earth, and fighting racism and other forms of domination throughout our region. The Network has taken a stand against economic and political pressure on indigenous nations to give up their rights.