1871 Manuscript Map Illustrating the American Indian Tribes of Canada

This is an important c. 1871 ethnographic manuscript map of Canada. The map corresponds to the ratification of the first of the Numbered Treaties (1871 - 1921), an ongoing attempt by the Canadian government to reconcile with First Nations while at the same time opening indigenous lands to European settlement.

A Closer Look

The map covers Canada from the Great Lakes to the Arctic and from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It identifies some 35 First Nations, accompanied by census information from the c. 1871 Census of Canada. First Nations identified include the Haida, Sioux, Algonquin, Assiniboine, and Manitoba, among many others.

All text is in German and is likely a reflection of widespread German immigration into Canada following the failed Revolutionas of 1848. Leveraging German and other European immigration was instrumental in Canada's plans to settle its vast territories.

Historical Context

In 1871, the First Nations of Canada were grappling with profound changes brought about by European colonization. This period marked the beginning of treaty-making between First Nations and the Canadian government, exemplified by the signing of Treaty 1 and Treaty 2 in that year. These treaties, collectively known as the Numbered Treaties, were intended to facilitate peaceful coexistence and provide a framework for land sharing, but they often led to disputes over land rights, resources, and sovereignty. The First Nations people, with their rich and diverse cultures, were facing pressure as European settlement expanded westward, leading to significant alterations in their traditional ways of life, including disruptions in their economic, social, and spiritual practices. This era was characterized by a struggle to maintain their cultural identity and autonomy in the face of rapidly changing political and social landscapes.

The Numbered Treaties

The Numbered Treaties, signed between 1871 and 1921, were a series of 11 agreements between the Canadian government and various Indigenous nations in what is now the central and western parts of Canada. The treaties were intended to enable the peaceful settlement of lands by Europeans while guaranteeing rights and provisions to the Indigenous peoples, such as reserves, annuities, and rights to hunt and fish on traditional lands. However, the treaties have been a source of ongoing contention. Indigenous communities assert that the Canadian government has not fulfilled its treaty obligations, particularly concerning land rights and self-governance. The interpretation and implementation of these treaties have led to significant legal and political debates, reflecting the complexities of reconciling colonial policies with Indigenous sovereignty. The Numbered Treaties remain central to discussions about the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the Canadian state.

Provenance

The map bears two library stamps, confirming it was deaccessioned by a German Jesuit library sometime in the 1980s. The library stamp remains in the lower left, and its mark appears in the lower right. It is difficult to decipher, but reads 'Prov. Germ. S. J.', likely 'Provinciae Germaniae Bibliotheca Scriptorum Societatis Jesu', perhaps located in Cologne. A German dealer acquired the deaccessioned maps, and pieces with similar marks occasionally appear on the market, representing all parts of the world.

Publication History and Census

Unique. No other known examples.