The 1865 Fort Sully Treaty (Blackfeet-Sioux), a significant document in the history of U.S.-Indigenous relations, was forged at Fort Sully in the Dakota Territory on October 19, 1865. Ratified on March 5, 1866, this treaty sought to establish peace and define the relationship between the United States government and the Blackfeet band of the Dakota or Sioux Indians. This article delves into the treaty’s articles, its signatories, and the broader context of its creation.
The Treaty Commissioners:
The United States government dispatched a commission to negotiate the treaty. This commission was comprised of:
- Newton Edmunds: Governor and ex-officio superintendent of Indian affairs of Dakota Territory.
- Edward B. Taylor: Superintendent of Indian affairs for the northern superintendency.
- Major-General S. R. Curtis: A prominent military figure.
- Brigadier-General H. H. Sibley: Another high-ranking military officer.
- Henry W. Reed: A commissioner.
- Orrin Guernsey: A commissioner.
These men represented the authority of the United States and were tasked with securing the agreement of the Blackfeet Sioux.
Article Breakdown: Key Provisions of the Treaty
The treaty was structured into five key articles, each addressing specific aspects of the relationship between the U.S. government and the Blackfeet Sioux:
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Article 1: Acknowledgment of U.S. Jurisdiction: This article established the foundation of the treaty by requiring the Blackfeet band of Dakota or Sioux Indians to acknowledge the exclusive jurisdiction and authority of the United States. Furthermore, the Blackfeet committed to ceasing all hostilities against U.S. citizens and property. Crucially, they also pledged to use their influence and, if necessary, physical force to prevent other bands of the Dakota or Sioux, and other adjacent tribes, from engaging in hostile actions against the U.S. government or its people. This provision placed a significant responsibility on the Blackfeet to act as peacekeepers within the region.
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Article 2: Cessation of Intertribal Warfare: Recognizing the ongoing conflicts between various Indian tribes, the U.S. government sought to mitigate bloodshed. Article 2 reflected this desire, with the Blackfeet band agreeing to discontinue all attacks upon the persons or property of other tribes, unless first assailed by them. They also committed to promoting peace within the region occupied or frequented by them. This article aimed to establish a framework for peaceful coexistence among the various tribes in the area.
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Article 3: Arbitration of Disputes: To further prevent conflict, Article 3 stipulated that all controversies or differences arising between the Blackfeet band and other tribes of Indians, involving the question of peace or war, would be submitted for the arbitration of the President of the United States, or individuals designated by him. The decision or award rendered through this process was to be faithfully observed by the Blackfeet band. This article provided a mechanism for resolving disputes through a neutral third party, aiming to avoid escalations into armed conflict.
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Article 4: Withdrawal from Overland Routes and Compensation: Recognizing the encroachment of overland routes through Blackfeet territory, Article 4 required the band to withdraw from existing and future routes. In consideration for this withdrawal, the U.S. government agreed to pay the band the sum of seven thousand dollars annually for twenty years. This payment was to be made in articles as directed by the Secretary of the Interior. The provision was contingent upon the band’s faithful adherence to the treaty’s requirements. This article acknowledged the impact of westward expansion on Indigenous lands and offered compensation, albeit arguably insufficient, for the disruption caused.
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Article 5: Senate Amendment and Modification: Article 5 addressed the potential for amendments or modifications to the treaty by the U.S. Senate. It stipulated that any such changes would be considered final and binding upon the Blackfeet band, as if they had been subsequently presented and agreed to by the chiefs and headmen of the nation. This clause underscored the power imbalance in the treaty-making process, granting the Senate the authority to unilaterally alter the terms of the agreement.
Signatories: Names and Titles
The treaty was signed by the commissioners on behalf of the United States, as well as by chiefs and headmen representing the Blackfeet band. These signatures served as a symbolic and legal affirmation of the agreement.
United States Commissioners:
- Newton Edmunds
- Edward B. Taylor
- S. R. Curtis, major-general
- H. H. Sibley, brigadier-general
- Henry W. Reed
- Orrin Guernsey
Blackfeet Sioux Chiefs:
- Wah-hah-chunk-i-ah-pee, The One that is used as a Shield
- Wah-mun-dee-wak-kon-o, The War Eagle in the Air
Principal Braves or Soldiers:
- Mah-to-ko-ke-pah, He that Fears the Bear
- A-hack-ah-sap-pah, The Black Stag
- A-hack-ah-we-chash-tah, The Stag Man
- Mah-to-wash-tay, The Good Bear
- Tah-ton-kah-ho-wash-tay, The Buffalo with a Fine Voice
- Oya-hin-di-a-man-nee, The Track that Rings as it Walks
- Shon-kah-hon-skah, The Long Dog
- Shon-kah-wah-mun-dee, The Dog War Eagle
- Wah-mun-dee-you-hah, He that has the War Eagle
- Muz-zah-to-yah, The Blue Iron
- Chief Chan-ta-pa-ta, Fire Heart
- Chief Chan-ta-non-pas, Two Hearts
Witnesses:
Several individuals witnessed the signing of the treaty, further authenticating the event.
- A. W. Hubbard, M. C. Sixth District Iowa
- E. F. Ruth, secretary to Commission
- O. D. Barrett, special agent Indian Affairs
- S. S. Curtis, major, Second Colorado Cavalry
- R. R. Hitt, reporter of the Commission
- Zephier Recontre, Interpreter
- Charles Degres, Interpreter
Blackfeet Sioux Soldiers:
- Ce-ha-pa-chi-ke-la, Little Blackfoot
- Chan-ta-pe-a, Strong Heart
- Non-pa-ge-gu-mugama, Round Hand
Historical Context and Significance:
The 1865 Fort Sully Treaty (Blackfeet-Sioux) must be understood within the broader context of westward expansion and the U.S. government’s policies towards Indigenous peoples. Following the Civil War, the U.S. government intensified its efforts to secure control over the Great Plains, leading to increased conflict with various tribes. Treaties like the 1865 Fort Sully Treaty (Blackfeet-Sioux) were often used as a tool to dispossess Indigenous peoples of their lands and resources, and to assimilate them into American society.
While the treaty ostensibly aimed to establish peace, it also served to advance U.S. interests by securing access to overland routes and diminishing intertribal warfare, thereby facilitating westward expansion and resource extraction. The promise of annual payments, while seemingly beneficial, often proved to be unreliable and insufficient to compensate for the loss of traditional territories and ways of life.
The 1865 Fort Sully Treaty (Blackfeet-Sioux) represents a complex and often tragic chapter in the history of U.S.-Indigenous relations. While it may have brought a temporary cessation of hostilities, it ultimately contributed to the erosion of Indigenous sovereignty and the disruption of traditional cultures. Studying this treaty provides valuable insights into the historical injustices faced by Indigenous peoples and the ongoing struggle for self-determination and the protection of treaty rights. It is crucial to acknowledge the long-lasting impacts of treaties such as the 1865 Fort Sully Treaty (Blackfeet-Sioux) on Indigenous communities and to work towards a more just and equitable future.
The legacy of the 1865 Fort Sully Treaty (Blackfeet-Sioux) continues to resonate today, serving as a reminder of the need for meaningful consultation and collaboration with Indigenous nations in matters that affect their lands, resources, and cultural heritage.