Diary Excerpt
Saturday 19th
…New Post at which we arrived at 3 pm Mr. Barnett the manager accompanied us from Moose Factory.
Monday 21st
This morning three of the representative Indians of the band assembled in Council and had terms of Treaty explained to them also the object of same, that the King had sent them a present of $8.00 per capita for the present year and an annuity for all time of $4.00 per provided they accepted the terms of the treaty, also a reserve or tract of land would be set aside and surveyed in the near future for their sole use and benefit. That they were not obliged to live on same, were also allowed as of yore to hunt and fish where they pleased, that they were to select a chief who would advise the band for the ensuing 3 years or until a successor was elected in his stead. The chief would be presented with a flag as an emblem of office and reminder that he and his band had agrees to become good citizens, and obey the laws of the land- that Mr. Barnett would issue provisions for their feast, as this was a special occasion we wished them all to be happy and enjoy them selves-they were then asked thro’ John Luke who had acted as interpreter if they wished to ask any questions or say anything in reply Angus Weenusk replied that they accepted the terms as stated and did not wish to put any obstacles in the way- they were satisfied the treaty was then signed at 10:55 a.m. the Indians then departed and when the paylists were completed, commenced paying the Indians in the afternoon carefully counting each family as it appeared before the pay table- shortly after the payment had been completed the Indians announced that Esan Omakess was their choice as chief, who was then presented with the Union Jack- Heavy thunder storm passed over.
Rain falling in torrents at intervals during the day-In the evening the chief accompanied by five of the leading men of the band consulted with us re the Reserve and after consultation the following tract of land was selected for the New Post reserve.
Beginning at the Point one mile south of the North east and of eastern arm of Lake known as Taquahtagama or Big Lake, situated about 8 miles inland south from from New Post, on the Abitibi River.