Big Bear refers to the treaty as “a rope around my neck, choking my liberty” because it takes away his freedom and the lifestyle that he and his tribe are used to. The treaty takes away Big Bear identity as a hunter. Some of the tribes are forced to sign the treaty because of the cultural and environmental change. A disease was brought over by the European settlers and it ended up with many Aboriginal people getting killed. Bison were being over hunted which resulted in famine within the tribes. The only way to save the people was to sign the treaties so the dominion government would help with the famine. The treaty was a way for the government to gain control of the lands. It gives them access to all the natural resources. The reason why Big
