I want to ask you a question: what is a treaty? If you don't know don't worry. I didn't either when I was in high school in the late 1970s. Many teachers asked me what Treaty No. Nine was during my high school years but I could not explain it to them. However, since then I think I've learned a few things about it. Anyway before we talk about Treaty No. Nine, a few definitions and explanations are useful.
In my mind, a treaty is an agreement that is made between two parties. The parties could be two individuals, a group of people, a company, or perhaps, two governments. Treaties are a way to explain how parties intend to “treat” each other for the duration of a relationship. Before a treaty is signed both parties must negotiate (discuss) what will be the intent of the treaty. When parties negotiate they speak and listen to each other's concerns and eventually come to a decision that both parties agree to. Ideally, treaty discussions and negotiations occur first before any written documents are produced. Each party has to be sure that they understand exactly what they're agreeing to before they sign anything. Each party must be sure that the terms, benefits, extent, limitations and the binding nature of the agreement are exactly what they have been discussing. If a rough agreement is written and you notice that sections are written, changed, added or deleted without your input then it is a good indication that you should not sign but raise your concern! However, if an agreement is accurate and clear, then you will feel confident in signing because it reflects your interests. As well, you will feel that the other party, as you are too, will be bound to act in good faith, trust and sincerity in performing the duties as set out in the agreement. That was pretty easy wasn't it? Well, sometimes life does not always turn out that way.
