Chapter 4 Summary: Introduction to Native Studies in Canada (Essay Sample)

Chapter 4 Summary
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Chapter 4 Summary
The fourth chapter of Belanger’s (2014:78) book Ways of knowing- an introduction to native studies in Canada commences with underscoring the position of treaties as a representation of “the most productive and least constructive aspects of the native-Canadian relationship.” The chapter highlights the different ways that the First Nation and Canadians regard treaties with the former perceiving them as valuable agreements to be continuously honoured. The Crown, on the other hand, is seen to have violated most such treaties. Belanger (2014) aptly notes that treaties will be a contentious issue in Canada's politics even in future based on the differences in interpretation by the Canadian and First Nations officials.
The chapter offers a historical account of treaty making first by the First Nations, and then by the Canadians. The First Nations negotiated oral treaties based on good-faith while the Canadians perceived them as only binding when signed. Throughout the historical account of treaties, Belanger (2014) indicates that treaties were negotiated. Even after a 52-year break in treaty negotiations in Canada, the author no...