In the early days of the colonization of Mahone Bay, the Mi’kmaq and the British Crown signed various Peace and Friendship Treaties. The purpose of these treaties was to outline solemn agreements that set out long-standing promises, mutual obligations and benefits between the Mi’kmaq, the British crown and settlers, so that everyone living in Mi’kma’ki could live peacefully together. Even today, the source of the Town of Mahone Bay’s authority over land remains connected to the Peace and Friendship treaties that were signed with the British over 250 years ago.