What is a Treaty Adhesion?
The Treaty adhesion process was just as significant as the Treaty negotiation process. Adhesions were signed with First Nations throughout the areas dealt with in the initial Treaty negotiations and often continued for several years, sometimes decades, following the negotiations. Treaty adhesions were signed because some bands were not present at the original Treaty negotiations. For example, Little Pine was not present at the Treaty 6 negotiations at Fort Pitt or Fort Carlton in 1876; however Little Pine did adhere to Treaty 6 in 1879 at Fort Walsh. First Nations who adhered to existing Treaties are subject to the same conditions as the original signatories’. Likewise, the Crown is also subject to the same conditions and obligations. From the First Nations’ perspective, Treaty adhesions are just as significant as the Treaties themselves. Treaty adhesions are sacred agreements that created an ongoing relationship with the Crown, just as the original Treaties.
