-
The Royal Proclamation
In The Royal Proclamation, Britain assumed responsibility of Aboriginal People. The Royal Proclamation, made by King George III, said that all land that was not purchased by Britain belonged to First Nations people. Any treaties and policies pertaining to First Nations people would be handled by the British Empire.
Hall, Anthony J. “Royal Proclamation of 1763.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 7 Feb. 2006, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/royal-proclamation-of-1763/ -
The British North America Act
The BNA Act claimed that the responsibility of Aboriginal people now belonged to Canada. Canada was now in charge of creating treaties and policies that pertained to First Nations people.
Government of Canada; Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. “A History of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.” Government of Canada; Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, 2 Sept. 2011, www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1314977281262/1314977321448 -
The Red River Rebellion
Lead by Louis Riel, the Red River Rebellion was an uprising brought on by the fear of the Canadian government controlling Métis culture and land rights after their land was transferred the new nation, Canada. The uprising lasted from November of 1869 to August 1870.
Birth of Manitoba : Digital Resources on Manitoba History.” Birth of Manitoba : Digital Resources on Manitoba History, 1 Nov. 2009, manitobia.ca/content/en/themes/bom/4 -
The Indian Act
The Indian Act is a policy that allows the Canadian government to control aspects of First Nations lifestyles. This includes education, land, resources, and Indian status. The policy essentially took away the right for Indigenous people fully practice their culture in order to have them blend into Euro-Canadian culture.
Montpetit, Isabelle. “Background: The Indian Act.” CBCnews, CBC/Radio Canada, 14 July 2011, www.cbc.ca/news/canada/background-the-indian-act-1.1056988 -
Period: to
Residential Schools
Residential schools forced First Nations children to give up their heritage and follow Euro-Canadian culture. Children were given taken away from their families, and many never found their parents again. They were given Catholic names and were forced to speak English. Roughly 150,000 Indigenous people were put through the residential school system.
Miller, J.R. “Residential Schools.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 10 Oct. 2012, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/residential-schools/. -
Changes in the Indian Act
The Indian Act contained many rules that limited Indigenous culture. The changes made included taking out many rules including not being allowed to wear traditional "costume" in public. It also became illegal for Indigenous people to own intoxicants or be intoxicated. Along with these changes, provincial law was now applied to anyone on a First Nations reserve.
Henderson, William B. “Indian Act.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 2 July 2006, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/indian-act/ -
Sixties Scoop
The Sixties Scoop was when child welfare authorities took indigenous children from their homes without their families knowing. Children were placed in non-indigenous communities where they were stripped of their cultural identity. The child welfare authorities had "scooped" almost around 20,000 children from their homes.
Dainard, Sharon, and Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair. “Sixties Scoop.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 21 June 16ADAD, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/sixties-scoop/ -
First Nations and the Federal Franchise
Up until 1960, First Nations people were unable to vote in Federal elections without losing their treaty status. Prime Minister Diefenbaker created the legislation in March of 1960, but it was in action on July 1st, 1960. Women and immigrants were both able to vote before Indigenous people.
News, CBC. “First Nations right to vote granted 50 years ago.” CBCnews, CBC/Radio Canada, 1 July 2010, www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/first-nations-right-to-vote-granted-50-years-ago-1.899354. -
1969 White Paper
The White Paper was a government policy put in place in hopes to destroy the division between First Nations and other Canadians. This policy wanted all previous treaties, including ones pertaining to land, to be disbanded. The policy was withdrawn by the Liberal government in 1970 due to backlash in the First Nations community.
“1969 White Paper on Indian Policy.” Canadas Human Rights History, 2 Jan. 2011, historyofrights.ca/encyclopaedia/main-events/1969-white-paper-indian-policy/ -
The Calder Case
Many Nisga'a people were being pushed off their land in BC by white settlement, without being offered goods or money. They claimed this went against the Royal Proclamation, so they went to the Supreme Court. The Nisga'a people, lead by chief and cabinet minister Frank Calder, lost the case, but it started to provoke change in Indigenous communities.
Cruickshank, David A. “Calder Case.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 24 Aug. 2016, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/calder-case/ -
James Bay and Northern Quebec agreement
This was a land settlement that was the first modern agreement signed by the French, English, and Aboriginals. It was amended after the Naskapi First Nations joined through the Northeastern Quebec agreement. JBNQA was given $225 million in indemnity to the James Bay Cree and the Inuit.
Price, John A., and Brian Craik. “James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 27 June 2011, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/james-bay-and-northern-quebec-agreement/ -
Bill C-31
Bill C-31 was an amendment to the Indian Act which focused on improving treatment of First Nations women. The bill eliminated links between marrying non-Aboriginals and losing Indigenous status, gave more control to individual bands and discriminatory provisions
Government of Canada; Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. “History of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.” Government of Canada; Indigenous and Northern Affairs, 2 Sept. 2011, www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1314977281262/1314977321448 -
The Oka Crisis
The approved expansion of a golf course on a Mohawk Burial ground in Oka, Quebec caused a 78-day dispute lasting from July 11th to September 26th 1990. The dispute resulted in one fatality. This was eventually put to rest after the RCMP and the Canadian Army were called in by Quebec Primer. The golf course was scrapped and the federal government took control of the land.
Marshall, Tabitha. “Oka Crisis.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 11 July 13, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/oka-crisis/ -
The Kelowna Accord
The Kelowna Accord involved the federal,provincial,territorial governments, & 5 national Aboriginal organizations. The accord was to help the gap between non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal living in Canada. Kelowna was a 10 year plan including $5 billion to use over 5 years to help improve health,education etc.& the relationship between aboriginals & the government.
Marshall, Tabitha. “Kelowna Accord.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 23 July 2013, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/kelowna-accord/ -
Truth and Reconciliation Commission
The TRC is a foundation that supports former residential school students. Their goal is to help raise awareness about Indian residential schools (IRS). The TRC's work has now been transferred to National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, and they will continue to support and raise awareness for those involved in the IRS system.
“Our Mandate.” Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC), 6 June 2007, www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/index.php?p=7#Principles -
Formal Apology for Residential Schools
Stephen Harper formally apologized for residential schools. He explained the system and how terrible it was.He claimed "Today, we recognize that this policy of assimilation was wrong, has caused great harm, and has no place in our country"(Harper).
Government of Canada; Indian and Northern Affairs. “Statement of apology to former students of Indian Residential Schools.” Government of Canada; Indian and Northern Affairs, 15 Sept. 2010, www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100015644/1100100015649
