"So the Treaty was signed, the Commissioner meaning one thing, the Indians another ...."

FOURTH DAY'S PROCEEDINGS
Lower Fort Garry, Sat. July 29, 1871
Eleven O'Clock A.M.

.... A VOICE FROM THE SILVERY LAND

Ay-ee-pe-pe-tung - I will tell you what I mean to reserve. When first you (His Excellency) began to travel (from Fort William), you saw something afar off, and this is the land you saw. At that time you thought I will have that some-day or other; but behold you see before you now the lawful owner of it. I understand you are going to buy this land from me. Well God made me out of this very clay that is besmeared on my body. This is what you say you are going to buy from me.

I live far away where it is silvery. When you first found me naked, with the fur-bearing animals by me, I traded with the white man, and saw what he got for his fur. With regard to land within the Settlement, I have nothing to say, as I am on the outside. But you will see from this document that I have made a claim, (written document handed in); and I want to know what is to be allowed me. (This claim is about 160 miles long by 60 broad, and extends from the mouth of Tobacco Creek, to Medicine Lodge, at Pembina, from there north-west to White Clay; thence down to Stony Creek, a branch of the White Mud River, at the upper crossing; and from thence north, to the Salt Springs, on Lake Winnepegosis).

This work has been graciously supported by Canada Council for the Arts and the Manitoba Arts Council.