children to read and write, and do other things like white men and their children.  Schools will be established where there is a sufficient number of children.  The Government will give the chiefs axes and tools to make houses to live in and be comfortable.  Indians have been told that if they make a treaty they will not be allowed to hunt and fish as they do now.  This is not true.  Indians who take treaty will be just as free to hunt and fish all over as they now are.

“In return for this the Government expects that the Indians will not interfere with or molest any miner, traveller or settler.  We expect you to be good friends with every-one, and shake hands with all you meet.  If any whites molest you in any way, shoot your dogs or horses, or do you any harm, you have only to report the matter to the police, and they will see that justice is done to you.  There may be some things we have not mentioned, but these can be mentioned later on.  Commissioners Walker and Cote are here for the half-breeds, who later on, if treaty is made with you, will take down the names of half-breeds and their children, and find out if they are entitled to scrip.  The reason the Government does this is because the half-breeds have Indian blood in their veins, and have claims on that account.  The Government does not make treaty with them, as they live as white men do, so it gives them scrip to settle their claims at once and forever.  Half-breeds living like Indians have the chance to take the treaty instead, if they wish to do so.  They have their choice, but only after the treaty is signed.  If there is no treaty made, scrip cannot be given.  After the treaty is signed, the Commissioners will take up half-breed claims.  The first thing they will do is to give half-breed settlers living on land 160 acres, if there is room to do so; but if several are settled close together, the land will be divided between them as fairly as possible.  All, whether settled or not, will be given scrip for land to the value of $240.00, that is, all born up to the date of signing the treaty.  They can sell that scrip, that is, all of you can do so.  They can take, if they like, instead of this scrip for 240 acres, lands where they like.  After they have located their land, and got their title, they can live on it, or sell part, or the whole of it, as they please, but cannot sell the scrip.  They must locate their land, and get their title before selling.

“These are the principal points in the offer we have to make to you.  The Queen owns the country, but is willing to acknowledge the Indians’ claims, and offers them terms as an offset to all of them.  We shall be glad to answer any questions, and make clear any points not understood.  We shall meet you again to-morrow, after you have considered our offer, say about two o’clock, or later if you wish.  We have other Indians to meet at other places, but we do not wish to hurry you.  After this meeting you can go to the Hudson’s Bay fort, where our provisions are stored, and rations will be issued to you of flour, bacon, tea and tobacco, so that you can have a good meal and a good time.  This is a free gift, given with goodwill, and given to you whether you make a treaty or not.  It is a present the Queen is glad to make to you.  I am now done, and shall be glad to hear what any one has to say.”