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The creation of the Indian department
The Indian department was first established in 1755 to form relationships between the British empire and the first nations of North America. This happened during the time The French and the British were at war, so they allied with indigenous people to have better control over the other's land. A following treaty, 'Royal proclamation' was signed to protect indigenous lands from European encroachment. https://bit.ly/3lvYExI -
The Royal proclamation
The Royal proclamation of 1763 was issued by King George III on 7 October, 1763. It was a treaty that ended the French and Indian War (Seven years war) which was one of the first examples of Europeans and indigenous peoples uniting to create a written treaty and wampum belts. The proclamation stated that Americans could not settle or buy land west of a line along the Appalachian mountains. LINK:
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/royal-proclamation-of-1763 -
The treaty of niagara
The First Nations who agreed to the Niagara Treaty fought as allies with the British in the American Revolution and the War of 1812. Approximately 84 wampum belts were exchanged during the treaty as a way to peacefully negotiate between various first nations. The two figures holding hands on the belt symbolised friendship and alliance that bind indigenous nations and the crown. https://bit.ly/3Dfo8p6 -
Gradual civilization act
The gradual Civilization act sought to assimilate Indian people into Canadian settler society by encouraging enfranchisement. The settlers thought that indigenous people would give up their identity but that wasn't what happened. This is because only 1 indigenous person voluntarily enfranchised. https://bit.ly/3ofANnu -
Gradual enfranchisement act
The gradual enfranchisement act was part of a series of events that led to the Indian act. Enfranchisement was the most common of the legal processes by which native people lost their native status under the Indian act. This was one of the major events that led to the creation of the Indian act. When that happened, Non-status Indians no longer had the right to vote. https://bit.ly/3ofANnu -
The Indian act
The Indian act was a Canadian federal policy which governs status, bands and reserves. The indigenous people fought heroically to defend their homeland's sovereignty but failed to do so. https://bit.ly/31emIOJ -
The constitution act
The Constitution Act, 1982 is a landmark document in Canadian history. It achieved full independence for Canada by allowing the country to change its Constitution without approval from Britain. https://bit.ly/3oiRaQt -
Amendments to the Indian act
There were several amendments made to the Indian act, most significantly in 1951 and 1985. At this point of time, it eliminated discrimination that affected the lives of many indigenous peoples. For example, first nations women were allowed to apply to regain their status as Indians. https://bit.ly/3DkTomq -
Residential schooling
Residential schools are schools that took away a lot of indigenous values as they followed an assimilation policy. It involved the process of children getting removed from their families and attended boarding schools. Unlike regular schools, these children were forbidden from speaking their native languages. Many were even physically and sexually abused. https://bit.ly/3ofBLQE