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Through the Mackenzie Basin - A Narrative of the Athabasca and Peace River Treaty Expedition of 1899 by Charles Mair
page 56 of 164 (34%)
five; but there will be no compulsion to force Indians to go
into a reserve. He who does not wish to go into a band can get
160 acres of land for himself, and the same for each member of
his family. These reserves are holdings you can select when you
please, subject to the approval of the Government, for you might
select lands which might interfere with the rights or lands of
settlers. The Government must be sure that the land which you
select is in the right place. Then, again, as some of you may
want to sow grain or potatoes, the Government will give you
ploughs or harrows, hoes, etc., to enable you to do so, and
every spring will furnish you with provisions to enable you to
work and put in your crop. Again, if you do not wish to grow
grain, but want to raise cattle, the Government will give you
bulls and cows, so that you may raise stock. If you do not
wish to grow grain or raise cattle, the Government will furnish
you with ammunition for your hunt, and with twine to catch fish.
The Government will also provide schools to teach your children
to read and write, and do other things like white men and their
children. Schools will be established where there is a sufficient
number of children. The Government will give the chiefs axes
and tools to make houses to live in and be comfortable. Indians
have been told that if they make a treaty they will not be allowed
to hunt and fish as they do now. This is not true. Indians who
take treaty will be just as free to hunt and fish all over as
they now are.

"In return for this the Government expects that the Indians will
not interfere with or molest any miner, traveller or settler.
We expect you to be good friends with every-one, and shake hands
with all you meet. If any whites molest you in any way, shoot
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