This special issue of Canada’s History magazine is a wonderful opportunity to provide readers with perspectives on Treaties that go beyond what most people have learned in school. For too long, Canadians have learned about Treaties with First Nations from a singular, non-First Nations perspective. The goal of this special issue is to try to provide a more balanced understanding of Treaties and the Treaty relationship. Our special guest contributors help us to gain a more nuanced and enriched understanding of Treaties and the Treaty relationship by explaining the broader historical context of the Treaties, which includes the histories, laws, languages, and ways of life of First Nations peoples. They also discuss the challenges of interpreting the Treaties when First Nations’ beliefs contest the non-Indigenous historical narratives that have dominated the minds of Canadians for so long.

Gakina Gidagwi’igoomin Anishinaabewiyang:We Are All Treaty People. Understanding the spirit and intent of the Treaties matters to all of us / by Karine Duhamel -- Interpreting the Treaties: Historical agreements between the Crown and First Nations are fraught with ambiguity / by Douglas Brown and William Wicken -- Ties of Kinship: The Treaty of Niagara is seen by some as marking the true founding of Canada / by Philip Cote and Nathan Tidridge -- The Numbered Treaties: Western Canada’s Treaties were intended to provide frameworks for respectful coexistence. / by Wabi Benais Mistatim Equay (Cynthia Bird) -- Living Well Together: Understanding Treaties as an agreement to share / by Aimée Craft -- Algonquin Territory: Indigenous title to land in the Ottawa Valley is an issue that has yet to be resolved / by Peter Di Gangi -- Nations in Waiting: British Columbia’s First Nations are in a unique situation regarding Treaties / by Guuduniia LaBoucan -- Finding Forgiveness, Building Trust: Treaty education in Nova Scotia is a reconciliation story that has been many years in the making / by Jaime Battiste.