Final answer:
The European interpretation of the spirit of Treaty 6 changed over time, from an initial period of respect and harmony to a disregard for agreements as European immigration increased. Treaties were breached, and greater controls were imposed on Indigenous Peoples through the Indian Act of 1876, conflicting with the original notions of respect and autonomy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The European interpretation of the spirit of Treaty 6 varied from the perspectives of the Indigenous people with whom the treaty was made. Initially, colonial and tribal leaders strove for mutual respect and living in harmony, as seen during the 50-year period of relative peace following the signing of treaties. Nonetheless, the European Christian worldview eventually clashed with Native peoples' views on land ownership. Europeans, influenced by a belief in the dominion over nature and land as wealth, began to redefine treaty agreements as immigration surged. Treaties were increasingly disregarded, leading to the confiscation of land and imposition of stricter regulations through instruments like the Indian Act of 1876. This act, in particular, exerted greater control over Indigenous Peoples, in stark contrast to the initial promise of respect and autonomy. Further, the Inherent Right to Self-Government Policy is a contemporary approach underscoring legal avenues for First Nations to negotiate claims, reflecting a shift towards recognizing Indigenous sovereignty and rights. This new methodology stands as an attempt to rectify the issues stemming from past European interpretations and implementations of treaties, which often led to the diminishing of rights and ownership promised to Indigenous groups.