Treaty Relations and Decolonization: Indigenous Community and Academic Perspectives
In the context of Indigenous-settler relations in Canada, it is often stated that “we are all treaty people.” But what does this phrase mean? From an Indigenous perspective, treaties are a fundamental mechanism for governing relationships not only among peoples but “with and between all elements of creation” (Starblanket, 2020: 5). They are living documents that provide Indigenous and non-Indigenous people with distinct treaty rights and responsibilities, rather than extinguish title. Yet, overall, treaties and treaty relationships are poorly understood, particularly among non-Indigenous populations. Many treaty mythologies persist, and settler governments have attempted to use treaties as a tool to expropriate Indigenous lands and resources. One challenge for understanding this critical issue is the number and diversity of treaties across Turtle Island, including pre-colonial treaties, peace and friendship treaties, numbered treaties, and so-called modern treaties. In some regions of Canada, there are no treaties with settler peoples. This invited panel will bring together academic experts and Indigenous community leaders to discuss the complexity and the social and political significance of treaties and treaty relations in the contemporary era. To what extent do treaty relations, as understood by Indigenous peoples, represent a pathway towards decolonization?
