" settlers" had little to no say in matters regardless of their race.  This is a promotion of bigotry towards "white settlers" (intolerance and imposing negative opinions towards a group)  A better term might be "Crown"....the king and his aristocratic delegates as well as some of wealthier people in England.  Treaties were signed by the Crown not the settlers and that is why the Canadian and provincial governments today have a responsibility not the descendants of settlers.