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Royal Proclamation
The Royal Proclamation, issued by King George III, stopped settlement in North America until agreements could be create with Indigenous People, and it also acknowledged that the First Nations had organized nations on their lands. This proclamation is still very important in Canada today, as some provinces, like BC, never created a treaty with the First Nations. Source: Textbook -
Reserve System
Believing that First Nation communities were preventing the future settlement of British North America, Europeans pushed First Nations onto reserves, lands were the Indigenous people could live, that was managed by the government. Legislation passed by the Canadian Government enabled government control of property of the First Nations. Though the reserves were located where the tribes had occupied, the size of the reserves was greatly reduced than their previous territories.
Source: Textbook -
Indian Act
This act attempted to integrate First Nations into Canadian Culture. It had benefits, such as providing schools, medical care, hunting and fishing rights, and giving "Indian Status" exempting aboriginals from certaintaces. However, the people were not allowed to vote, and moving off reserves, joining the military, obtaining higher education, or marrying someone without the status would result in the loss of their own and the benefits. They were also not treated the same as a citizen.
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Aboriginal Right to Universal Suffrage
The Aboriginal Right to Universal Suffrage finally gave aboriginal people the right to vote in Canadian federal elections. It was implemented by Prime Minister John Diefenbaker in the Canadian Bill of Rights. However, unlike expected, Indigenous turnout at elections was low as they feared the loss of historic rights and Indian status. Sources: The Canadian Encyclopedia -
National Indian Brotherhood and Native Council of Canada
The National Indian Brotherhood was formed to represent the Status Indians, and the Native Council of Canada was created to represent Non Status Indians and Metis. They both made sure that the Indigenous community would have a voice over what legislation would affect the people, and also played a role in removing the White Paper of 1969
Source: Textbook -
Residential School System Abolished but Not All Closed
Residential schools attempted to teach aboriginal children to be a part of white society and forget indigenous culture. In 1969, the Department of Indian Affairs took over the schooling system for Aboriginal children, and the government allowed them to live with their families, and schools began to hire more qualified staff. However, abuse persisted and schools were still underfunded. Source: Textbook and UBC Indigenous Foundations -
White Paper
The Canadian Government introduced a white paper addressing problems Indigenous people faced, and proposed abolition of reserves and an end to Indian Status. It looked for equality, and wanted Indigenous people to be assimilated and be "citizens like any other". However, the Indigenous community rejected, feeling it was cultural suicide. Pierre Trudeau's government withdrew the paper in 1971 after hostile response by the Indigenous community
Source: Textbook -
Movement Towards Self Government
The Constitution of 1982 ensured the existing rights of Indigenous people would be acknowledged, which included the right to protect beliefs and cultures, control land traditionally inhibited by the First Nations and have Self Government. They would be in charge of policing, healthcare and education, but have the same access to institutions and benefits provided by the Federal Government as provincial governments did. Source: Textbook -
Assembly of the First Nations
During the 1980s, the National Indian Brotherhood was renamed as the Assembly of First Nations, and it put in greater effort than before to improve conditions for Indigenous people, as the federal government in the 1970s did not try as hard to develop Indigenous peoples as they did to the Canadian population. The new assembly worked on specific land claims (claims based on existing treaties) and comprehensive land claims (claims based on traditional use and occupancy).
Source: Textbook -
Passing of Bill C-31
The bill made amendments to the Indian Act. First of all, it abolished the concept of enfranchisement, which meant that all Indigenous people who had Indian status kept it no matter their life choices, unlike before, when they could lose it through things such as marrying someone without the status or going to the military. Also, the amendment gave Indigenous bands more power than before. -
Meech Lake
The Meech Lake Accord included a clause that deemed Quebec a "distinct society", meaning they could have a definition of what being Quebecois was, that was different from being Canadian. Indigenous people did not feel that Quebec should be granted this if they were not, too. After some leaders did not ratify the Accord, and the Leader of Manitoba, who was also an Indigenous Leader, did not sign the accord, it failed. -
The Oka Standoff
When officials decided to extend a golf course in Oka, Quebec onto Mohawk-claimed land, the Mohawks set up blockades of major roads, lasting for more than 6 months. Police fought back, and one officer was killed. The Canadian Army was also involved, and at the end, the Government of Canada bought the and and negotiated. -
Ipperwash Crisis
During World War II, the government built a military camp on reserve land occupied by the Stony Point First Nation, and unlike promised, did not return the land. In 1993, about 30 members of the band began to peacefully occupy the park on September 4, 1995. However, the Ontario Government wanted them gone, and during a overnight raid, an indigenous man was shot and killed. 8 years later, a public inquiry revealed racist remarks by the police and then Ottawa Premier . -
Gustafsen Lake BC
The Gustafsen Lake Standoff, which started when First Nations Sun Dancers built a structure on a rancher's land for the ceremony, was a month-long conflict involving both a small group of First Nations Sun Dancers and the RCMP. After attempts at peaceful negotiation, the RCMP started using some force to remove the campers. On September 18th, the Ts’Peten Defenders surrendered to the police Source: The Canadian Encyclopedia -
Delgamuukw Case
In 1991, B.C.'s Supreme Court ruled that any rights the First Nations may have had over the land were legally extinguished when British Columbia became part of Canada, and the The Delgamuukw case challenged this. The case eventually was presented in front of Supreme Court of Canada, and it decided the treaty rights could not be extinguished, deemed oral testimony legitimate evidence, and stated Indigenous rights include not only land, but also the resources present.
-Canadian Encyclopedia -
Nisga’a Treaty
In 1998, a treaty that gave the Nisga’a people in BC wide powers of self government, ownership of 1922 square kilometers of land with resources, fishing and hunting rights, and $190 million was signed. Additionally, non-Indigenous people residing in the land were not allowed to vote for the councils governing that region, although they were not forced to leave -
Statement of Reconciliation (Source- Canadian History)
After the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples recommended a formal statement of apology for mistreatment of Aboriginal peoples, the government did so, recognizing the presence of the natives on our land, and their ill treatment by settlers. Culture suppression and the residential schools were mentioned, and a $350 million healing fund was created. An additional $250 million fund was made to aid economic development, creation of self-government, employment, and provision of social services. -
Creation of Nunavut
In 1999, Nunavut was created, and there, Indigenous peoples were allowed to self govern over natural resources, education and justice systems. I Nunavut, there are no political parties, just people who run for the election as individuals.
