The Peace and Friendship Treaties did not involve the Mi’gmaq surrendering rights to lands and resources they had traditionally used and occupied.

Since first contact with the settlers in the 1700s, the issues that have formed the basis of negotiations between the Mi’gmaq and the settlers have dealt with the relationship between the L’nu of Gespe’gewa’gi and the settlers. Among the first sets of formal agreements between these tow groups were the “Peace and Friendship Treaties”.

We did not surrender our sovereignty or our land. We negotiated peace and friendship.