Ankukamkewe’l: Treaties of Turtle Island
Students of Treaty Relations and Art Practice 2019
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Treaty Space Gallery, 1107 Marginal Rd.
Ankukamkewe’l is a Mi’kmaw term often used to describe treaty relations, as it translates to “adding to our relations”1. Here in Kanata, there have been over 80 treaties signed between Indigenous groups and the Government of Canada. These legally-binding agreements exist to both protect and define the rights of Indigenous peoples, and outline the participating parties’ obligations in upholding them.
It is important to recognize that although these treaties help to protect Indigenous groups’ rights today, Indigenous sovereignty exists regardless of what the colonial government dictates. Additionally, many treaties use misleading and complicated language that put the Indigenous nations who agreed to them at a disadvantage.
The Peace and Friendship Treaties signed in 1725–1779 by the Mi’kmaq, Wolastoqiyik, Abenaki, Penobscot, and Passamaquoddy peoples with the British Crown here in Mi’kma’ki never actually surrendered Indigenous land claims. This land is unceded.
This list was compiled in 2019 by students of NSCAD’s Treaty Relations and Art Practice course. By living in treaty, we can build toward decolonizing practices. Treaty is a continued relationship that, like all relationships, requires constant care and renewal.
Treaties in red indicate specific treaties we operate under by living in Mi’kma’ki, the traditional and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq. As inhabitants of this land, we have the responsibility of learning about and upholding these treaties. Kisiaknutmatimkewe’l—meaning what we agreed upon in the treaty-making process—ensures we all remain in good relation1. We are all Treaty People.
Do you know which treaties are from the territory you call home?
1 Nta'tugwaqanminen: Our Story: Evolution of the Gespe'gewa'gi Mi'gmaq, Fernwood Publishing, Black Point, NS, 2016, p. 97.
