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Amendment to the Indian Act (costumes)
The government changed the Indian act so that all “Western Indians” had to get all traditional Aboriginal costumes officially approved before wearing them to any public events. This amendment allowed the government to begin restricting Aboriginal expression and start controlling some aspects of their culture. -
The Allied Tribes of British Columbia Forms
The government of British Columbia was trying to take away about 19,000 hectares of land from Indigenous people in exchange for about 35, 000 hectares back. The Allied tribes of British Columbia formed to fight back against this trade because the land they were losing was much more valuable than the land they were being given. They ended up losing against the government. -
Exemption from Conscription
In 1917, British and Canadian governments made enlistment in the military mandatory for all males who are physically able. The Indigenous community argued that they do not have the same citizen status that obligates other Canadians to enlist. In 1918, all “Status Indians” became exempt from conscription and could enlist on their own free will. -
Indigenous Soldiers are Denied Veterans Benefits
After the war ended, Indigenous soldiers returned home but many did not receive the same benefits and compensation that the rest of the soldiers received, despite the fact that many of them won awards. The government claimed they are not obligated to give Indigenous people veterans benefits since they are not legal Canadian citizens, but instead, “Status Indians.” -
League of Indians Forms
Indigenous people continued to be angered by the unjust treatment they received from the Canadian government. Some people formed the League of Indians, which was the first political group formed by Indigenous people. They argued for their rights and fought for better treatment and living conditions, but were not taken very seriously and faced government harassment. -
Residential Schools Become Mandatory
The Canadian government make it mandatory for all Indigenous children to attend residential schools from ages 7-16 years old. These schools were built and run with the intention of assimilating children to act like “normal” Canadian children in society. The children faced harsh treatment and had to change the way they acted, spoke, wrote and expressed themselves. A residential school survivor said, “ -
RCMP Raids Alert Bay
The RCMP raided an Indigenous potlash (gift giving feast) because it had recently been made illegal due to its “wasteful” and “immoral” nature. They seized over 600 objects, gifts and family heirlooms which ended up being put in the Royal Ontario Museum and the National Museum. -
Amendment to the Indian Act (lawyers)
A new change to the Indian Act made it so Indigenous people are not allowed to pay or raise money for lawyers if they intend to argue any “Indian claims.” This was another one of the government’s attempts to silence Indigenous people and it ended up ending the years of constant treaty making.
