Indigenous People in Canada

  • 1500

    Europeans Invade

    In the 1500's (16th Century), Europeans set up trade posts in Canada
  • Christian Missionary School

    Christian Missionary School
    These schools were run by the French
  • Seven Years War

    Seven Years War
    This war was fought between the French and the British. (SPOILER ALERT.... the British won)
    1756-1763 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0qbzNHmfW0)
  • Royal Proclamation

    Royal Proclamation
    The Royal Proclamation was used to set out guidelines for European settlement of all Indigenous land within North America, which was issued by King George the Third.
  • The Destruction of Bison

    When the Europeans first came to Canada, not only did they spread diseases between humans, but they also spread diseases between the bison, which were the main source of hunting, fur, tools and food for the Indigenous people of Canada. Not only did this lead to the deaths of Indigenous people, but it made their entire race mainly depend on the Europeans and what they had to offer in order to make a fair trade.
  • Reserve System

    In the 1830's the creation of the reserves was set into place, where all Indigenous people were to live on a specific piece of land, designated by the government and under the rules which the government had set in place for them at the time. No one was to leave the reserve without permission, and if one disobeyed the local authorities, they were sent to jail, beaten or sexually assaulted.
  • The First Residential School

    The First Residential School
    The first official residential school, or "Mohawk Institue" was opened in Brantford, ON.
  • The Gradual Civilization Act

    The Gradual Civilization Act
    This act was passed by the fifth Parliament of the Province of Canada, and was created to integrate all Indigenous peoples to both the economic and the social traditions of the European settlers. The main purpose of this act was to release all ties to their Indigenous backgrounds, and slowly turn them into "proper" Canadian citizens.
  • Canadian Confederation

    Canadian Confederation
    British Columbia, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick all came together and united as one, Canada.
  • The Gradual Enfranchisement Act

    The Gradual Enfranchisement Act was created to better manage the Indigenous people.
  • The Indian Act

    The Indian Act
    The Indian Act is the most well known and talked about act related to the First Nations people of Canada. This act issues the Indian Status, and is based around two main subjects, reserves and the Indian Status itself. This act was created to control the First Nations people, not to cooperate with them.
    • Metis and Inuit people were not considered First Nations people, so they were not affected by these acts*
    To this day, the Indian Act is still recognized, realized and set in stone.
  • Canadian Pacific Railway

    Canadian Pacific Railway
    The Canadian Pacific Railway took place between the years of 1881-1885, caused disruption towards the eco-systems, and forced the Indigenous people to not only relocate, but rely on European trading to survive.
  • Terminate all Expression of the Indigenous Culture

    In 1884, the government made it illegal for any Indigenous person to express their culture, whether it's by making a dream catcher or dancing in their native way. Even though it was illegal for the Natives to express their own culture, it wasn't illegal if a European were to do so.
  • Government Partners with Churches to run Residential Schools

    Government Partners with Churches to run Residential Schools
    Once the government partnered with the churches to run all residential schools, it was common for the priests and nuns to rape and abuse the children who attended the residential schools.
  • Dr. Peter Bryce

    Dr. Peter Bryce
    Dr. Peter Henderson Bryce was hired to manage public health affairs related to both the Immigration Department and Indian Affairs. In 1907, he wrote a report that blamed the Canadian government for the negligence that lead to appalling death rates, mainly due to tuberculosis. He is seen as a warning when looked back upon in Canadian history; a warning that was not taken into consideration.
  • Residential Schools and Inuit Children

    Prior to the year 1951, Inuit people were not considered "First Nations", and were not affected by the residential schools. This all changed after WW2.
  • Universal Declaration of Indigenous Rights

  • Getting the right to Vote!

    The "60's Scoop" is when Indigenous people in Canada finally and rightfully so get the right to vote. Alongside being able to vote, this started the shutting down some residential schools across Canada.