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1763. The Royal Proclamation
The Royal Proclamation prevented any further settlement across North America until treaties were negotiated with the Indigenous Peoples. Many provinces didn't sign, including BC. -
1830 Reserve System
In 1830 Indigenous peoples were seen as "blocking future settlement" of British North America. They were eventually pushed out into reserves. These are lands specifically set of Indigenous peoples. Today, only 0.4% of Canada's land mass is for Indigenous. -
The Indian act.
The Indian Act of 1876, this act was to encourage Indigenous Peoples to give up their culture/traditions. The Indian Act helped them have rights to provide schools, medical care, hunting and fishing. some disadvantages that they had to face were, they couldn't vote in federal elections, they couldn't take up land. For these, they needed to trade in their status for their rights. -
White Paper
Until the 1960s, Indigenous tribes living on reserves did not have the right to vote, own land or even consume alcohol. In 1968, PM Pierre Trudeau introduced "White Paper". This was to address Indigenous issues. It ended Indigenous special status, The premise was to invoke equality. Trudeau wanted them to be "citizens like any other." -
1960 Aboriginal Right to Universal Suffrage
In 1960, after long years of little to no rights, the Indigenous peoples were given the right to vote in federal elections. Even though they could vote, they always had to worry about their children being taken in the "Sixties Scoop". This is when the government would take indigenous kids and white parents would adopt them and be forced to change culture. -
The National Indian Brotherhood & Native Council of Canada Formed
There was a big response to the newly incubated "White paper". The National Indian Brotherhood was created to represent the "Status Indians", there was also the Native Council of Canada which was created to represent the "non-status Indians". These representatives caused Pierre Trudeau's government to withdraw the White Paper. Doing this caused indigenous People to advocate for themselves since the paper's publication. -
Even though Residential schools abolished, not all of them closed
in the 1990s Catholic religious orders and the United Churchs accepted these harsh practices in residential schools. Most closed down but some of them went on until 1996. The residential school system officially closed then. -
Movement for Self Government
Many indigenous believed it would be best if they had self-government. It would help them make better decisions and they would have a greater variety of rights. The Constitution of 1982 guaranteed that the existing rights of Indigenous Peoples would be recognized and affirmed. The Supreme Court says that they have rights to self-government, control land traditionally and protect beliefs and culture. -
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Assembly of the First Nations
The "Assembly of the First Nations" is an organization today that was built off the "National Indian Brotherhood" in the 1980s. It helps and protects the language, culture and rights of First Nations. -
Passing of Bill C-31
Bill C-31 was to restore aboriginal status and band members for those who lost it through marriage. The children of those people would also gain status but not gain band membership until after two years. The bill also fully removed all enfranchisement clauses. -
Meech Lake Accord
Brian Mulroney, the Progressive Conservative government of Prime Minister attempted to win Quebec’s consent to the revised Canadian Constitution. Since Quebec’s government had rejected it in 1981. This resulted in the Meech Lake Accord. The accord was an agreement between the provincial and federal governments to amend the Constitution. There was political support, but the accord was never put into effect. -
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Oka Stand-Off
The Oka Stand-Off was a 78 standoff between the police, army and Mohawk protesters. There wanted to be a expansion of a golf course and condominiums on Mohawk land. After a police officer was killed in the protest, the Canadian army arrive and the protest ended. -
Ipperwash Ontario Crisis
The Ipperwash Crisis happened because the federal government wanted to use the Stoney Point Reserve as a military camp. One Ojibwa protester was killed in this event. -
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Gustafsen Lake standoff
The Gustafsen Lake standoff was a month long standoff between the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the First Nation Sun Dancers. The standoff started because of a dispute between a camp of Sun Dancers and a local rancher over the access to private land. It raised questions about Indigenous land rights in British Columbia. The standoff turned violent, but surprisingly, no one was injured or killed. -
Delgamuukw Case
The Delgamuukw case was a trial that took place at the Supreme Court of Canada. The Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en peoples claimed Aboriginal title and jurisdiction for over 58,000 square kilometres in British Columbia. They lost the first trial, but the Supreme Court of Canada called for a new trial and gave them protection give tp Aboritingal title. -
Federal Government Statement of Reconciliation
In 1998, the Minister of Indian Affairs, Jane Stewart issued an apology for past wrongdoings and injustice that happened to the Canadian Aboriginals. The Royal Commission on Aboriginal People’s believed that it was a necessary first step to rebuilding the relationship between Canada’s Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples. Note: We understand that the photo is not the 1998 event, however it was the only photo we could find that was appropriate. -
Nisga’a Final Agreement
The Nisga’a treaty was signed in 1998 and came into effect on May 11 2000. 2000 square kilometres of land was officially recognized as the Nisga’a and 300,000 cubic decametre water reservation was created too. The agreement gives the Nisga’a control over their land. -
Creation of Nunavut
85% of the population of Nunavut is Inuit. The creation of Nunavut in 1999 was the first major change to the political map of Canada since the addition of Newfoundland in 1949. The formation of Nunavut was a great moment of political significance. A small group of Indigenous peoples leaped over many obstacles and peacefully established a government whom they controlled. It marked history for worldwide Indigenous peoples.
