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Oka Crisis
In Oka, Quebec the expansion of a golf course into disputed Mohawk territory resulted in the Mohawk reserve, Kanesatake, blockading the land. Police were sent, later military, and gunfire was exchanged. Ultimately, the land was given to the Kanesatake from the Federal government. This crisis was one of the main factors that led to the following event. -
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples Established
In response to the Oka Crisis, the Federal government established a commission to study the living conditions of the First Nations peoples. The commission found that the poverty, education, employment, etc. gap between Indigenous and other Canadians was astoundingly large. The commission made 440 recommendations to improve the government - Indigenous relationship. -
Last Government-run Residential School Closed
As early as 1883, churches and later the government were running schools “to kill the Indian in the child”. The Indigenous peoples faced all kinds of abuse at the schools for cultural assimilation purposes. The Indigenous peoples were making gains in control over their education since the 1970s and finally attained full independence. -
Nunavut
After many negotiations, the Inuit peoples attained political control over a 2 million+km2 arctic region of land, which would be the third territory of Canada, Nunavut. As the Inuit peoples had presented the government with land claims since 1976, this was a significant gain for the Inuit and the future advances in land claims. -
Supreme Court Enacts Duty to Consult
The "duty to consult" put into law that when contemplating actions/decisions that may impact Indigenous peoples/treaty rights the Crown must consult the First Nations peoples prior and if necessary make accommodations. Both the Crown and companies were obliged to negotiate before disturbing Aboriginals. For the first time, Aboriginal rights to land were recognized. -
Residential Schools Financial Settlement
A decade after the closure of the final government-run residential school, the First Nations peoples advocated for financial compensation for the injustices faced during their schooling. Each survivor received $10,000 + $3000 for every year attended. Those who experienced abuse had to testify in court. The settlement began the healing process from the traumas faced. -
Creation of Truth and Reconciliation Commission
After twelve years, the government officially apologized for the residential schools. In addition, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established for the testimonies of the residential school survivors to be heard. The TRC published 94 "Calls to Action" for the government to implement. These were the first steps for Canada on the road to reconciliation. -
Idle No More Movement
The movement was created by three First Nations women and one non-indigenous ally to protest against Bill C-45, but became something greater. The movement protects Indigenous sovereignty and preserves their environment. It quickly gained popularity throughout the country using social media. They are one of the largest Indigenous movements, even gaining international attention. -
Missing & Murdered First Nations Women
A First Nations woman, Tina Fontaine, was murdered and her death spread awareness of 1181 homicides/abductions of other Indigenous women within the past 30 years. A study by the RCMP found that Indigenous women were murdered at three times the rate of other Canadian women. These statistics demonstrate the still existent discrimination. -
Canada Accepts UN Declaration on Indigenous Rights
In 2007, Canada voted against the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, but accepted it in 2016. This meant that the Indigenous peoples of Canada have special rights such as; the right to not be subjected to genocides or other acts of violence including the removal of children and forced assimilation. -
Links to Websites Used
Link text
(https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/timeline/indigenous-suffrage)
(https://indigenouspeoplesatlasofcanada.ca/article/history-of-residential-schools/)
(https://indigenouspeoplesatlasofcanada.ca/article/litigation-and-courts/)
(https://indigenouspeoplesatlasofcanada.ca/article/the-road-to-reconciliation/)