Unit Question: Who are the “architects of Confederation”?  Traditional territories  Colonies  Treaties  Confederation What are the characteristics of this governance structure? What are the specific elements of the Canadian experience? What is the legacy of this governance structure today? Today’s Question: What are the governance structures that have defined Canada?

Traditional Territories

Colonies

Treaties

Confederation 1867

Confederation 1999<

Traditional Territories What are the characteristics of this governance structure? “The geographic area identified by a First Nation to be the area of land which they and/or their ancestors traditionally occupied or used.” What are the specific elements of the Canadian experience? Overlapping territories Change over time Established via oral treaties, trade, marriage, war E.g. Great Law of the People of the Longhouse (pre 1450 CE) Test for Aboriginal Title (from Supreme Court of Canada (i) the land must have been occupied prior to sovereignty, (ii) if present occupation is relied on as proof of occupation pre-sovereignty, there must be a continuity between present and pre-sovereignty occupation, (iii) at sovereignty, that occupation must have been exclusive. What is the legacy of this governance structure today? Basis for the Comprehensive Land Claims process Acknowledgements of unceded land

Colonies What are the characteristics of this governance structure? Colony- “a country or area under the full or partial political control of another country, typically a distant one, and occupied by settlers from that country.” Colonialism- “the establishment, exploitation, maintenance, acquisition, and expansion of colony in one territory by a political power from another territory. It is a set of unequal relationships between the colonial power and the colony and often between the colonists and the indigenous population.” What are the specific elements of the Canadian experience? France (until 1763) and Britain Colonies in Canada Rebellions of 1837/1838, Baldwin + LaFontaine, Responsible Government Rebellions of 1837/1838Baldwin + LaFontaineResponsible Government What is the legacy of this governance structure today? Colonies were established, dissolved and merged mainly based on population, economic activity. The balance of power- 13 Colonies vs. British North America See: Colonialism; Empire Days; Governor General ; CommonwealthEmpire DaysGovernor General Commonwealth

Treaties What are the characteristics of this governance structure?  a formally concluded agreement between countries/nations.  European tradition is written treaties; Indigenous tradition is oral treaties.  What is the distinction between a treaty and a (policy) law? I.e. Numbered Treaties vs. Indian Act? What are the specific elements of the Canadian experience? Aboriginal groups surrendered interests in land in exchange for other benefits that could include reserves, annuities or other types of payment, and certain rights to hunt and fish. Upper Canada treaties , Douglas Treaties ( ), Numbered Treaties( ) No treaties signed in British Columbia/Yukon What is the legacy of this governance structure today? Formative events in Aboriginal/Government of Canada relationship Lack of treaties in BC the basis of Comprehensive Land Claims processComprehensive Land Claims

Confederation 1867 What are the characteristics of this governance structure? “an organization that consists of a number of parties or groups united in an alliance or league.” (General Confederation of Labour, Canadian Confederation) Rare as a form of government structure; understudied What are the specific elements of the Canadian experience? Confederation is the name given to the process and act of the colonies becoming a sovereign nation (a constitutional monarchy) Through a series of conference and negotiation (vs. war) Sir John A MacDonald: From sea to sea Rolling membership- 1867, 1870….1949… Established by the British North America Act (1867) Patriation Canada Act (1982) What is the legacy of this governance structure today? Relationship between provinces and federal government Relationship between Canada and Britain ….?

Confederation Arguments for Confederation A vision of a country from sea to sea The American threat The decline of the British Empire Efficiencies and economies of scale

Confederation Arguments against Confederation Little fish(es) in a big pond Distance- figurative and literal Pride, culture, independence

Historical Significance How do we determine if something has historical significance? We can look for these indicators (in combination or isolation):  a formative event- after this point, “everything changed”  part of the cultural narrative- it is part of the stories people tell about themselves  part of a bigger pattern- one piece of a bigger story, an important ingredient

Harkness Next Class: When did Canada become Canada? Thinking Focus: 1.Which governance structure had the most historically significant impact on the development of Canada? 2.When did Canada become Canada? (date, time period) 3.What are the sources of agreement and tension in the political relationships through Canada’s development? Skill Focus: Evidence-based through strong preparation Notes- printed and annotated. Source 1- article provided (1867, 1812, 1608, 1982) Source 2- today’s powerpoint Source 3- 1 other external research piece