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First world war begins
WWI began on August 4th 1914. Between 4,000 and 6,000 indigenous people served and volunteered in the Canadian military during the First World War. There were many denied veterans benefits on their return. Many of them won military awards like Francis Pegahmagabow. -
Arguments are had over exemption
Many arguments were had over why Indigenous peoples were not exempt from the mandate because it went against promises made through the negotiation process of treaties. -
Women granted right to vote in federal elections
Many Canadian women are granted the right to vote in federal elections, but First Nations women can only vote if they give up their status and treaty rights -
Formation of League of Indians
Fred Loft formed the league of Indians to advocate for improved living conditions on Indian reserves and to protect the right to practice Indian practices and keep their rights. They were beaten down by government harassment, disunity among Indian groups and police surveillance. -
Residential schools become mandatory
The Deputy Superintendent General of Indian affairs, Duncan Campbell Scott, makes it mandatory for all First Nations children from age between 7-16 years old. This policy was also inconsistently applied to Métis and Inuit children. -
The story of a National Crime Published
The story of a National Crime, published by Dr. P.H Bryce, Chief Medical officer for Canada’s Department of the Interior and Indian Affairs, argues that Indigenous peoples' health is being ignored in Residential schools and Indian hospitals in violation of treaty pledges. -
Cayuaga Chief Deskaheh sails to Geneva
Cayuga Chief Deskaheh traveled to Geneva to address the League of Nations about the right of his people to live freely on their own lands, practice their own religion and follow their own laws, the door was shut in face by what he called “'cruel indifference. '' -
Indian WWI Veterans granted the right to vote
Enfranchisement was the most common of the legal processes by which First Nations peoples lost their Indian Status under the Indian Act. Starting in 1920, Male Indian veterans of the First World War gained the right to vote in federal elections without losing their status and treaty rights. -
Birth of Kenojuak Ashevak
Inuk artist Kenojuak Ashevak, is one of the best known Inuk artists because of her famous print “The Enchanted Owl. It is one of her most recognized and celebrated works of art. It represents a stylized owl with a spotted body and long fanning feathers. -
Complaint about Inuit name begins
Complaints about Inuit not bearing traditional Christian names began. Beginning of decades of Government labelling strategies to ease the recording of census information and entrench federal authority in the North. Among the failed initiatives are metal discs with ID numbers, and Project Surname.