This image shows the written document of the James Bay Treaty (Treaty No. 9), a photo of Chief Michel Batise and his wife at the Fort Matachewan signing ceremony in 1906, and a flag from the ceremony. – Photo by Stan Wesley
The Ontario Historical Society is pleased to share with our members the following announcement from the Archives of Ontario regarding their new online exhibit about the James Bay Treaty (Treaty No. 9), available from the Archives of Ontario in collaboration with Mushkegowuk Council and Queen’s University Archives:
The exhibit is a key part of a larger mission of de-colonization begun by many institutions within the archival profession and across the heritage sector in Ontario and Canada. It replaces an older exhibit created for the centennial of the treaty in 2005 by incorporating Omushkegowuk perspectives on the treaty, integrating recent archival developments, and showcasing the longstanding importance of the original written record to signatory communities and to the documentary heritage of Ontario.
The Archives of Ontario is pleased to share this valuable resource to support learning about the treaty’s historical significance for all Ontarians, the different interpretations of the written document and importance of the agreements made, the treaty’s impact on Indigenous communities in an area covering two-thirds of Ontario’s total landmass, and the enduring relevance of the treaty today.
The OHS encourages you to visit the exhibit, and to share with others!