Treaty 8 signed between the Crown and Cree groups

Background. Prior to Treaty 8, the Crown had signed Treaties 1 to 7 between 1871 and 1877. The government initially did not consider a treaty necessary for the northern regions, as conditions were not conducive to settlement. However, officials later sought assistance from Oblate missionaries, who had witnessed the deterioration of First Nations lifestyles since the 1870s.

Negotiation and Mediation. Government officials chose Catholic missionary Albert Lacombe as a signatory, consultant, and mediator due to his experience and the trust he had built with First Nations. Lacombe was tasked with convincing First Nations that entering into a treaty was in their interest, assuring them that their lives would remain largely unchanged.

Territory and Signatories. Treaty 8 covered approximately 320,000 square miles, making it the largest numbered treaty by area. It included thirty-nine First Nation communities in northern Alberta, northwestern Saskatchewan, northeastern British Columbia, and the southwest Northwest Territories. Signatories included Woodland Cree, Dane-zaa, and Chipewyan groups.