In 1818, Treaty 20 was signed between the British Crown and the Anishinaabeg. This treaty allowed for the first settlers to arrive in Peterborough. Treaty 20 stated that in exchange for a payment of 740 pounds a year, the equivalent of $3000 at the time, they would surrender almost 2 million acres of land to the Crown for settlement. Yet, many of the settlers largely ignored the verbal negotiations that were agreed upon through the signing of the treaty.

In time the Anishinaabeg gave up their land because their population was desperately sick, and used the money from the treaty to purchase food, medicine, and blankets.