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The Paypom Document The Paypom Document is an original set of notes made for Chief Powasson at the signing of the 1873 treaty between the Ojibway Indians and the government of Canada at North West Angle on the Lake of the Woods. The notes differ in many respects from the printed version of the treaty which was delivered to the signatories by government officials sometime later. Recent treaty research indicates that the printed version may have been written a year before the 1873 North West Angle Negotiations. The following notation appears in pencil on the back of the original: This copy was given to me in 1906 by Chief Powasson at Bukety - the Northwest Angle- Lake of the Woods. (Signed) C. G. Linde Elder Paypom explains how he obtained the document as follows: "Linde was a photographer and a friend to all Indian people. One day, about forty or fifty years ago, he told me he had a paper and the Government wanted to buy it from him. He said they would give him $5,000.00 for it. But he wanted me to have it, "for your children" he said.That winter I saved all the money from my trap line. My family had a very hard winter that year because I had saved that money, but my wife never complained. She was a great woman, and she understood that the paper had on it the promises made to the people by the government, and they were breaking those promises. I saved my money and in the spring I gave it to Linde. he moved south, but he sent me a parcel in the mail. He sent it like a parcel of clothes so nobody would suspect it was the treaty." The following are the terms of the Treaty held at North West Angle the Third day of October, Eighteen Hundred and seventy three, viz: 1. The Government will give when the Indians will be settled, two hoes, one plough for every ten families five harrows for every twenty families, one yoke of oxen, one bull and four cows for every band, one scythe and one axe for every family and enough of wheat, barley and oats for the land broken up; this is to encourage them at the beginning of their labor, once for all. 2. Fifteen hundred dollars every year in twine and munitions. 3. Twelve dollars for the first payment to every head of Indians and every subsequent year, five dollars. Twenty five dollars to every Chief every year. Councilors, first soldier and messenger fifteen dollars. the farming implements will be provided for during this winter to be given next year to those that are farming and those who are anxious to imitate the farmers, a set of carpenters tools will also be given... 7. Coats will be given to the Chiefs and their head men every three years. With regard to the other Indians there is goods here to be given to them. 8. If their children that are scattered come inside of two years and settle with you, they will have the same privileges as you have. 9. I will recommend to the authorities at Ottawa, assisted by the Indian Commissioner, the half breeds that are living with you to have the same privilege as you have. 10. The english government never calls the Indians to assist them in their battles but he expects you to live in peace with red and white people. 11. Mr.Dawson said he would act as by the past about the Indians passage in his road. The Indians will be free as by the past for their hunting and rice harvesting. 12. If some gold or silver mines be found in their reserves, it will be to the benefit of the Indians but if the Indians find any gold or silver mines out of their reserves they will surely be paid the finding of the mines. 13. The commissioner and an agent will come to an understanding with the Indians about the reserve, and shall be surveyed by the Government. The Commissioners don't wish that the Indians leave their harvest immediately to step into their reserve. 14. About the Indian Commissioner, the commission is pending upon the authorities at Ottawa. I will write to Ottawa and refer Mr. Charles Nolin. 15. There will be no sale of liquor in this part of Canadian Territory. It is the greatest pleasure for me to hear you when you and when we shake hands it must be for ever. It will be the duty of the English Government to deal with the Commissioners if they act wrong towards the Indians. I will give you a copy of the Agreement now and when I reach my residence I will send you a copy in parchment. 16. You will get rations during the time of the payment every year. 17. The Queen will have her policemen to preserve order and whenever there is crime and murder the guilty must be punished. 18. This Treaty will last as long as the sun will shine and the water runs, that is to say forever |