Treaty Resources Guide

Transcripts of the treaties dating from the mid 1700's to the early 1900's.

In this section, read transcripts of the treaties dating from the mid 1700's to the early 1900's. The treaty texts have been formatted and clearly typed, instead of their original format, for easy reading and printing. Please note that not all treaties have been transcribed due to the absence of the original source document. Library and Archives Canada has created a web portal where digital copies of the treaties may be consulted.

Treaties are legally binding agreements that set out the rights, responsibilities and relationships of First Nations and the federal and provincial governments.

Ontario would not exist as it is today without treaties. They form the basis of the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Although many treaties were signed more than a century ago, treaty commitments are just as valid today as they were then. The treaties, or agreements, set out continuing treaty rights and benefits that First Nations entered into with the British government, and later Canada. Treaty rights are protected by subsection 35(1) of the Constitution Act, 1982 and often address the creation of reserves for the exclusive use of First Nations, and their rights to hunt, fish and trap on provincial Crown lands.

Learn about historic and modern treaties in Canada, treaty rights and the treaty relationship.

Honouring the treaty relationship and negotiating new treaties based on the recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership, is key to achieving lasting reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

"Canada is a test case for a grand notion - the notion that dissimilar peoples can share lands, resources, power and dreams while respecting and sustaining their differences. The story of Canada is the story of many such peoples, trying and failing and trying again, to live together in peace and harmony." Highlights from the Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, 1996

Learn about the treaties that cover where you live, go to school or work, and find reserves in Ontario. More than 40 treaties and other land agreements cover Ontario. Treaties are legal agreements that set out the rights and responsibilities of First Nations and the provincial and federal governments.

The Maamwi Hub is still in development, but in honour of Treaties Recognition Week the Learning Portal team is excited to share the Maamwi – Treaties of Ontario Database.

Treaties Recognition Week is about learning and raising your personal awareness of these important nation-to-nation agreements which every citizen benefits from.

Over the last year College Libraries Ontario has been consulting with faculty and staff from colleges across Ontario for the purpose of developing a new hub for the Learning Portal, called Maamwi.

Maamwi, meaning “all together” in Anishinaabemowin, will be an open access resource which will provide data, reports, and research to guide Ontario colleges on the path towards reconciliation.