Douglas Treaty

The Douglas Treaties were agreements made between the leader of the Hudson's Bay Company, Sir James Douglas, and Indigenous groups on Vancouver Island from 1850 to 1854. These treaties aimed to establish peaceful relations, allowing settlers to use land for settlement and resources while recognizing Indigenous rights. In exchange, Indigenous communities received promises of protection, supplies, and sometimes money. The treaties were unique because they were negotiated directly and individually with each tribe, establishing a framework for land use and coexistence that influenced Canadian law and Indigenous relations in the region.