On the East Coast, Peace and Friendship Treaties were signed with the Mi’kmaq, Maliseet and Passamaquoddy people prior to 1779. Treaties are solemn agreements that set out long-standing promises, mutual obligations and benefits for both parties. The British Crown first began entering into treaties to end hostilities and encourage cooperation between the British and Mi’kmaq, Maliseet and Passamaquoddy people. As the British and French competed for control of North America, treaties were also strategic alliances which could make the difference between success and failure for European powers. Unlike later treaties signed in other parts of Canada, the Peace and Friendship Treaties did not involve our surrendering of rights to lands and resources which we had traditionally used and occupied.
On the East Coast, Peace and Friendship Treaties were signed with the Mi’kmaq, Maliseet and Passamaquoddy people prior to 1779. Treaties are solemn agreements that set out long-standing promises, mutual obligations and benefits for both parties. The British Crown first began entering into treaties to end hostilities and encourage cooperation between the British and Mi’kmaq, Maliseet and Passamaquoddy people. As the British and French competed for control of North America, treaties were also strategic alliances which could make the difference between success and failure for European powers. Unlike later treaties signed in other parts of Canada, the Peace and Friendship Treaties did not involve our surrendering of rights to lands and resources which we had traditionally used and occupied.
In 1982, the Constitution Act recognized and affirmed existing Aboriginal and Treaty rights including the Peace and Friendship Treaties.
(1) The existing aboriginal and treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada are hereby recognized and affirmed.
(2) In this Act, “aboriginal peoples of Canada” includes the Indian, Inuit and Métis people of Canada.