The term "unceded territory" refers to territories not subject to treaties. The other territories are territories subject to treaties which permitted European settlement in exchange for something. These treaties were signed by the local native bands.

The largest treaty areas are subject to one of 11 of what are referred to as the "numbered treaties" which were signed between Canada and local native bands between 1871-1930. These treaties cover Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, parts of Northern Ontario, parts of Northeastern BC, most of the NWT, and part of the Yukon.

There are other, non-numbered treaties from in and around that time period, such as the Douglas treaties which cover Vancouver Island, and there is also a modern treaty process in BC, which was really kicked off with the signing of the Nisga'a Final Agreement in 1998.