Notes on 'Back to the Treaty' Reading Event and Play

Play Synopsis: 'Back to the Treaty'

Scene 1: An Unintended Journey to the Past

Ace and Sunny, two Blackfoot elders from Siksika, prepare for movie night. Sunny brings coffee, which Ace rejects, and they realize they need popcorn. With their cars broken down, they borrow Linda's old Ford. Ace hotwires it, and a glowing screen appears. Sunny accidentally presses buttons, causing the car to jolt backward and time jump abruptly.

Scene 2: Encountering Chief Crowfoot

Ace and Sunny, now reverted to their $20$-year-old selves but in contemporary clothes, scream upon realizing their transformation. Chief Crowfoot approaches, puzzled by their 'strange hides' (clothes) and the car, which he mistakes for a 'horse.' He becomes wary and departs after their confusing explanations about where they are from.

Scene 3: Realizing the Date

Stuck in the car, Ace suspects time travel. They encounter Blackfoot women and children who are suspicious of their strange attire. A preteen girl, Motoyi, giggles and asks if they are 'Sky People.' Motoyi reveals they are gathering for 'the treaty with the queen' and gives the date: "September $19$, year of our lord, $1877$." Sunny is stunned, while Ace, realizing the gravity, prays.

Scene 4: A Plan to Alter History

Motoyi acts as their $1877$ tour guide. Ace, now serious, tells Sunny they have an "opportunity" to stop the queen from signing the treaty. He clarifies they need to make Jerry Potts, the translator, "unfit for work." Jerry Potts stumbles onto the stage, drunk, confirming Ace's plan. Ace tasks Sunny with finding more liquor while he keeps Jerry occupied.

Scenes 5 and 6: Operation Booze

Sunny sneaks into Colonel MacLeod's tent, finds traditional buckskin clothing, puts it on, and grabs a jug of 'XXX' booze. He returns, having taken a few swigs, but confirms there's "enough for Potts to have his fill." Ace, Sunny (pretending to drink), and Jerry Potts share the jug. Jerry Potts drinks heavily, hiccups, and passes out, incapacitating him.

Scene 7: First Attempt to Warn Crowfoot

Ace and Sunny, snickering after their success, bump into Chief Crowfoot. They urgently try to warn him not to sign the treaty, calling it the "worst mistake you ever make." Ace reveals he knows the future, explaining the treaty is about taking land and its underground resources. He demonstrates with a dipstick of oil, which Crowfoot tastes. Despite this, Crowfoot expresses trust in Colonel MacLeod and dismisses them, leaving Ace and Sunny defeated.

Scenes 8 and 9: Contemplation and Community

Ace is angry over their failed mission, while Motoyi giggles at his frustration. She reveals Potts was fired, but MacLeod "hired someone new," deflating them again. Sunny suggests giving up, but Ace notes Linda's car won't start and there are "no gas bars around here." Motoyi invites them to a Blackfoot gathering. Sunny lightens the mood, and Ace agrees, asking Motoyi not to reveal their 'Sky People' origin, to which she replies, "Too late, I told everyone." The next scene depicts a beautiful Blackfoot gathering, with Ace experiencing contentment and Sunny flirting. They are given blankets, food, and a warm place to sleep, highlighting community strength.

Scene 10: Commissioner Laird's Colonial Intentions

On September $20$, $1877$, Commissioner Laird discusses his colonial views with Colonel MacLeod. He believes Indigenous people "owe us one" for stopping the whiskey trade and questions why they'd refuse "free rations." Laird emphasizes the need for land for British settlers and views the treaty as gaining "full control of the Indian people and Indian land" as part of the Indian Act. MacLeod urges listening to the chiefs, but Laird remains intent on his plan, drawing reserves on a map.

Scene 11: Debating the Past and Laird's Speech

Ace and Sunny clean camp, with Sunny longing for fast food and Ace championing traditional food. Sunny contemplates staying young and finding a new wife. Laird's speech interrupts them. Led by Motoyi, they hear Laird preach about God and Queen Victoria's love, crediting "white men" for stopping the whiskey trade and protecting buffalo, urging adaptation to ranching and farming. He promises payment "as long as the sun shines, the grass grows, and the river flows" for signing. Ace finds Laird "too convincing" and plans "Operation Espionage" to meet with Crowfoot, Old Sun, and Red Crow.

Scene 12: "Operation Espionage" and a Final Warning to Crowfoot

Laird instructs MacLeod to convince the chiefs that the treaty is the "best way forward" to gain "full control of the Indian people and Indian land." Ace and Sunny sneak up to MacLeod's tent, overhearing him assure chiefs of protection and future support. Sunny creates a diversion, calling MacLeod away. Ace and Sunny confront Crowfoot, explaining they are from the future to warn him. Ace details the Indian Act, the misleading translator, residential schools, and the taking of land for resources (oil, coal, fresh water), illustrating with a dipstick. Special effects show the future consequences (oil extraction, pollution, poverty). Ace also warns of the loss of women's rights, banning ceremonies, and the pass system. A distressed Crowfoot asks, "What will I do?" Ace suggests signing the treaty for only $50$ years instead of "in perpetuity," allowing renegotiation. The scene ends with a contemplative Crowfoot.

Scene 13: Laird's Plans for Reserves

On September $21$, $1877$, Commissioner Laird draws reserves on a map, strategically confining tribes for British "peace and quiet." He dismisses traditional gathering places for newcomers and considers his allocations "more than generous." He also mentions plans for "nice Anglican schools" to assimilate Indigenous people spiritually. Colonel MacLeod remains uneasy.

Scene 14: Fueling the Time Machine

Ace, Sunny, and Motoyi are back at Linda's car, still unable to start it. Ace realizes they need to "fuel it up." Sunny jokes about his uncle's homebrew smelling like gasoline, sparking an idea for Ace. Ace asks Motoyi where to get "bootlegged whiskey that Laird was talking about." Motoyi enthusiastically agrees to help "be sneaky" during the treaty signing tomorrow. Ace corrects Sunny's mispronunciation of his middle name, "Bartholomew."

Scene 15: Treaty Signing and Departure

The stage mimics the famous Treaty 7 painting. Ace watches, silently pleading for Crowfoot not to sign. Motoyi and Sunny comically acquire whiskey bottles. Laird offers the quill to Crowfoot. Sunny urges Ace to leave, stating it's "out of our hands now." Ace agrees, wishing he knew Crowfoot's decision. They take the whiskey to the car. Sunny, still a "little bit tanked," turns the key. The engine roars to life, smelling "exactly like uncle's homebrew." Motoyi embraces Ace in a tearful goodbye. Sunny shares a "nice, juicy kiss" with Motoyi's grandmother, eliciting shocked faces. Waving goodbye, they enter the car, Ace enters the return date: $2025$. The car travels backward in time, and the stage goes dark.

Scenes 16 and 17: Return and Reflection

Ace and Sunny return to their old selves, laughing. Sunny wonders if his 'Timmies' is still hot, while Ace contemplates Crowfoot's decision. They walk offstage, showing elder ailments. Back in $1877$, Crowfoot is in his teepee, contemplating. The play leaves it ambiguous whether he signed the treaty, prompting the audience to ponder: "What would you have done? Would you have signed it or not?" and reflect on the enduring impact of historical decisions.