government to assist with the development of ranching on the reserves." (Treaty 7 Elders and Tribal Council, p.321) There was one catch, and this was the Native's land in return for the White man's knowledge.
             This was just one of the "promises" made to the Plains Natives in the numbered treaties. Along with it came many others that would supposedly better Native lives, and make them easier. However, most of these promises were considered empty, for the government did not deliver what they had sworn. "Instead of delivering the goods promised or honoring the starvation clause, the government began to argue that its assistance was bad for the Aboriginal farmer." (Treaty 7 Elders and Tribal Council, p.312-313) This statement shows the unequal treatment of Natives by the government, for assistance to Aboriginal farmers was a clause in Treaty agreements, and the government blatantly disregarded this in order to minimize the pay out to the Indians for their land. "They (the government) perceived the items promised to the Indians in their treaties as gratuities or government charity, rather than as payments for the land the Indians had ceded." (Treaty 7 Elders and Tribal Council, p.313)
             It is visible in pre-treaty life, that the Natives were facing strife, not only in the way of starvation, but also in many ways that deteriorated their united front. One of the issues that allowed for the reliance on government help was alcohol abuse. "Aboriginal people bought greater quantities of liquor each year and the traders sold, or gave away, wooden casks to help them to carry it away. Once spirits became readily available locally, alcoh
             ...