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Mapping The Robinson Treaty Lands -- Hand Annotated With Early Land Ownership Details

This 1890 map of the North Shore of Lake Huron, produced by the Department of Crown Lands under the direction of Honorable A.S. Hardy, details the various townships, geographic features, and administrative boundaries, reflecting the colonial and administrative priorities of the time.  The lands shown include the The Robinson Treaty Lands, an 1850 Treaty with the indigenous residents of the North Shore of Lake Huron.

The late 19th century was a pivotal period for Canadian land management, particularly concerning Crown Lands. Initially held by the British Crown, these lands were crucial for settlement expansion, resource exploitation, and the delineation of indigenous territories. In Ontario, the Department of Crown Lands, led by officials like A.S. Hardy, played a key role in regulating these areas, shaping the economic and social landscape of the region through meticulous surveying and management efforts.

The map, scaled at 6 miles to an inch, provides a comprehensive topographical and administrative overview of the northern shore of Lake Huron. It features various townships, geographic features, and administrative boundaries. The color-coded sections, with Indian Lands highlighted in red, illustrate the governmental policies and priorities regarding indigenous territories at the time. The map also includes significant geographic features such as forests, bodies of water, and existing settlements, highlighting the region's diversity and complexity, as well add roads and railroad lines.

The present example has been hand annotated throughout the northern part of the map, in some cases identifying land owners in red, pencil and purple, including the names Horty, Foy, Hutton, Bovel, Hammer, Coprese, Wisner, Parkinson (?), Biglow, Curtis and several illegible names, in one case (Biglow) adding an extension of the upper forks of the Spanish River.  This is likely Felix Biglow, a lumber foreman who arrived inthe area in 1890.  These also may be early township names.

Prominently, the map includes Manitoulin Island, the world's largest freshwater island, which holds significant historical importance in the context of Canadian Indian policy. The Manitoulin Island Treaty of 1862 allocated much of the island to Native bands while opening other parts to European settlers. This treaty was part of a broader strategy of land management and control by the Canadian government, often resulting in the displacement and assimilation of Native populations. 

A notable feature of the map is the "Portion of the Island Not Ceded," located on the eastern peninsula of Manitoulin Island. This area remained under the control of the Wikwemikong band, who refused to cede their land to the government. This unceded territory underscores the resistance and resilience of the Wikwemikong band in maintaining their autonomy and control over their lands.

The Robinson Treaties of 1850 

In September 1850, the Anishinaabeg (Ojibwe) of the Upper Great Lakes signed two significant treaties: the Robinson-Superior Treaty (RST) and the Robinson-Huron Treaty (RHT). These treaties granted the Province of Canada access to the north shores of Lake Huron and Lake Superior for settlement and mineral extraction. In exchange, the Indigenous peoples received recognition of hunting and fishing rights, an annuity, and reservations from the surrender of specific lands for each signatory community. These treaties have had lasting legal and socioeconomic impacts on both Indigenous and settler communities, setting precedents for subsequent Numbered Treaties.

The drive for treaties with the Anishinaabeg began in the 1840s with the discovery of copper and iron deposits on Lake Superior’s south shore. This prompted the Province of Canada to assert authority over the north shores of Lake Huron and Lake Superior, issuing mineral licenses and beginning surveys despite the absence of formal agreements with the Indigenous peoples. Resistance from the Anishinaabeg, including significant incidents like the Mica Bay Incident, pressured the government into negotiating treaties.

William Benjamin Robinson was appointed treaty commissioner in January 1850. Formal negotiations took place in early September, concluding on 9 September 1850. Led by Chief Shingwaukonse, the Lake Huron chiefs demanded fair terms informed by past treaties. Robinson's negotiations resulted in two treaties, recognizing the need to address the differing circumstances of the Lake Huron and Lake Superior chiefs. 

Both the Robinson-Superior Treaty and Robinson-Huron Treaty included schedules of reserves, hunting and fishing rights, a one-time payment of £2000, and annuities with an “escalator clause” for potential increases based on land revenues. The Anishinaabeg surrendered significant tracts of land along the north shores of Lake Superior and Lake Huron, as well as adjacent islands and inland areas.

The Robinson Treaties established patterns for future treaty negotiations in Canada, incorporating elements like British military presence and governor general involvement. Despite promises to address Métis claims, these were largely unfulfilled, leading to significant legal battles, including the 2003 Powley Case recognizing Métis hunting rights.  

The annuity escalator clause was activated in 1874, but failure to increase the annuity since then led to court claims for retroactive compensation. In 2023, a proposed settlement worth $10 billion was reached for the Robinson-Huron Treaty, while Robinson-Superior Treaty claims continue in court.  

Rarity

OCLC locates 1 example of the 1890 edition (University of Calgary) and 1 example of the 1897 edition (University of Michigan), which was published by The Copp Clark Co. in Toronto, and one example of the 1900 edition (Lake Superior State University).

The National Archives of Canada also holds 2 examples of the 1890 edition, with  Ms. additions outlining the Nickel bearing District.