A HISTORICAL REVIEW Racism in Canada

HISTORICAL EXAMPLES OF RACISM IN CANADA The Aboriginal Experience The Aboriginal Experience The Black/African Experience The Black/African Experience The Chinese Experience The Chinese Experience

THE ABORIGINAL EXPERIENCE Native Canadians are the only non-immigrants in Canada but are treated as though they are. Native Canadians are the only non-immigrants in Canada but are treated as though they are. Europeans imposed their rules and regulations onto the First Nations. Europeans imposed their rules and regulations onto the First Nations. Created Acts which controlled and restricted the their freedom to serve the government’s interests. Created Acts which controlled and restricted the their freedom to serve the government’s interests.

GRADUAL CIVILIZATION ACT 1857 Purpose was to make natives English-speaking, Christian, and farmers. Purpose was to make natives English-speaking, Christian, and farmers. Cultural Immersion (Assimilation) = children removed from homes and the government “rewarded” those deemed successful. Cultural Immersion (Assimilation) = children removed from homes and the government “rewarded” those deemed successful. Given 50 acres of farm land and tribal and treaty rights removed to be more like the white man (enfranchised), which was considered the school’s ultimate goal. Given 50 acres of farm land and tribal and treaty rights removed to be more like the white man (enfranchised), which was considered the school’s ultimate goal.

GRADUAL CIVILIZATION ACT 1857 Is this Cultural Genocide? Is this Cultural Genocide? Ethnocentrism? Ethnocentrism? Racism? Racism?

THE INDIAN ACT (1876) The Canadian government created a form of racism that was designed to promote, primarily through school and church, forced ‘assimilation’ (to make everyone feel they are the same or are part of, to make similar) = make the natives more European (kill the Indian in the child). The Canadian government created a form of racism that was designed to promote, primarily through school and church, forced ‘assimilation’ (to make everyone feel they are the same or are part of, to make similar) = make the natives more European (kill the Indian in the child). Native social and political institutions were systematically destroyed – replaced with European institutions (i.e. band councils). Native social and political institutions were systematically destroyed – replaced with European institutions (i.e. band councils).

THE NATIVE EXPERIENCE THE INDIAN ACT (1876) THE INDIAN ACT (1876) A mandate for government administrators to control the lives of First Nations Peoples. A mandate for government administrators to control the lives of First Nations Peoples. Could not manage their own reserve lands or money and were under the supervision of the government. Could not manage their own reserve lands or money and were under the supervision of the government. Could not own their land. Could not own their land.

THE NATIVE EXPERIENCE Had to ask for permission to develop on the reserve land. Had to ask for permission to develop on the reserve land. Natives did not have the power to decide whether non-Natives could reside on their land. Natives did not have the power to decide whether non-Natives could reside on their land. Could not leave the reserve without permission from a government agent. Could not leave the reserve without permission from a government agent.

Scott’s Words “I want to get rid of the Indian problem. I do not think as a matter of fact, that the country ought to continuously protect a class of people who are able to stand alone… Our objective is to continue until there is not a single Indian in Canada that has not been absorbed into the body politic and there is no Indian question, and no Indian Department, that is the whole object of this Bill.” “I want to get rid of the Indian problem. I do not think as a matter of fact, that the country ought to continuously protect a class of people who are able to stand alone… Our objective is to continue until there is not a single Indian in Canada that has not been absorbed into the body politic and there is no Indian question, and no Indian Department, that is the whole object of this Bill.” Dr. Duncan Campbell Scott – 1920 Dr. Duncan Campbell Scott – 1920 Scott was the head of the Department of Indian Affairs from 1913 to Scott was the head of the Department of Indian Affairs from 1913 to 1932.

ASSIMILATION Even before Confederation, the Canadian government adopted a policy of assimilation. Even before Confederation, the Canadian government adopted a policy of assimilation. The long term goal was to bring the Native peoples from their ‘savage and unproductive state’ and force (English style) civilization upon them. The long term goal was to bring the Native peoples from their ‘savage and unproductive state’ and force (English style) civilization upon them. All native children between the ages of seven and fifteen had to attend one of Canada's Residential Schools (1850s – 1996). All native children between the ages of seven and fifteen had to attend one of Canada's Residential Schools (1850s – 1996).

TODAY: THE “IDLE NO MORE” MOVEMENT Is a reaction to many of the mistreatments and injustices that our native people have faced. Is a reaction to many of the mistreatments and injustices that our native people have faced. It is not a cohesive movement at the moment, but a “groundswell” action that may result in some changes by the Harper government. It is not a cohesive movement at the moment, but a “groundswell” action that may result in some changes by the Harper government.

HISTORICAL EXAMPLES OF RACISM IN CANADA The Aboriginal Experience The Aboriginal Experience The Black/African Experience The Black/African Experience The Chinese Experience The Chinese Experience

THE BLACK/AFRICAN EXPERIENCE “White” European culture, intellect, and morality was thought to be superior in regards to the Black race. “White” European culture, intellect, and morality was thought to be superior in regards to the Black race. Many Blacks arrived in Canada via the underground railroad; settled in Nova Scotia and Southwestern Ontario. Many Blacks arrived in Canada via the underground railroad; settled in Nova Scotia and Southwestern Ontario.

THE BLACK/AFRICAN EXPERIENCE “When “free” Blacks came to Canada, they were promised equal land and necessities by the British but received none or very little. “When “free” Blacks came to Canada, they were promised equal land and necessities by the British but received none or very little. In 1850, Black Canadians experienced restricted land ownership and were refused equal education; not allowed in “white” schools. In 1850, Black Canadians experienced restricted land ownership and were refused equal education; not allowed in “white” schools.

THE BLACK/AFRICAN EXPERIENCE Segregated schools existed in Nova Scotia until the 1960’s. Segregated schools existed in Nova Scotia until the 1960’s. Black Canadians were forced to settle in segregated communities in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Ontario. Black Canadians were forced to settle in segregated communities in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Ontario. Africville, NS Africville, NS

AFRICVILLE, NS Part of the City of Halifax; isolated from the rest of the city. Part of the City of Halifax; isolated from the rest of the city. Population of about 400 Black Canadians; coming from 80 different families. Population of about 400 Black Canadians; coming from 80 different families. Were law-abiding, tax paying citizens who were proud of their community. Were law-abiding, tax paying citizens who were proud of their community.

AFRICVILLE, NS Africville area soon became home to many dirty industries; a prison, disposal pits, a city dump and an infectious disease hospital. Africville area soon became home to many dirty industries; a prison, disposal pits, a city dump and an infectious disease hospital. The city failed to install sewers, lights, water or roads. The city failed to install sewers, lights, water or roads. In 1947, Halifax designated Africville industrial land. In 1947, Halifax designated Africville industrial land.

AFRICVILLE, NS Without consultation with the members of the community, between Africville residents were given $500 and relocated to public housing, some via city dump trucks, and the houses were leveled. Without consultation with the members of the community, between Africville residents were given $500 and relocated to public housing, some via city dump trucks, and the houses were leveled. It is fair to state that while this tight knit community paid taxes they were treated unfairly due to their race. It is fair to state that while this tight knit community paid taxes they were treated unfairly due to their race.

TODAY: AFRICVILLE, NS On 24 February 2010 Halifax Mayor Peter Kelly made the Africville Apology, apologizing for the eviction as part of a $4.5-million compensation deal. On 24 February 2010 Halifax Mayor Peter Kelly made the Africville Apology, apologizing for the eviction as part of a $4.5-million compensation deal. The City restored the name Africville to Seaview Park at the annual Africville Family Reunion on July 29, The City restored the name Africville to Seaview Park at the annual Africville Family Reunion on July 29, 2011.

TODAY: AFRICVILLE, NS The Seaview African United Baptist Church, demolished in 1969, was rebuilt in the summer of 2011 to serve as a church and interpretation centre. The Seaview African United Baptist Church, demolished in 1969, was rebuilt in the summer of 2011 to serve as a church and interpretation centre. The nearly complete church was ceremonially opened on September 25, The nearly complete church was ceremonially opened on September 25, 2011.

AFRICVILLE BEFORE BEFORE AFTER AFTER The town of Africville, 1965 Africville Monument, 2000

TODAY: AFRICVILLE, NS On your own watch: On your own watch: Film, NFB = Remember Africville Film, NFB = Remember Africville

HISTORICAL EXAMPLES OF RACISM IN CANADA The Aboriginal Experience The Aboriginal Experience The Black/African Experience The Black/African Experience The Chinese Experience The Chinese Experience

CANADA’S EARLY BIAS = “KEEPING CANADA WHITE AND CHRISTIAN” In general, Canada in the first half of 1900s was very selective about who they let in (immigrate) to our country, despite the fact they needed more people to work in agriculture. In general, Canada in the first half of 1900s was very selective about who they let in (immigrate) to our country, despite the fact they needed more people to work in agriculture.

CANADA’S EARLY BIAS = “KEEPING CANADA WHITE AND CHRISTIAN” If they couldn’t get Brits or Western Europeans, they preferred farmers from Eastern Europe. If they couldn’t get Brits or Western Europeans, they preferred farmers from Eastern Europe. There were exclusion laws tried to keep out Chinese, Japanese, Indians (India) - these were countries with huge native populations. There were exclusion laws tried to keep out Chinese, Japanese, Indians (India) - these were countries with huge native populations.

THE CHINESE EXPERIENCE Arrived in British Columbia in the 1850’s. Arrived in British Columbia in the 1850’s. Recruited to build the Canadian Pacific Railway: Recruited to build the Canadian Pacific Railway: Were given the hardest and most dangerous jobs; more Chinese victims than white. Were given the hardest and most dangerous jobs; more Chinese victims than white. Were paid ¼ to ½ less than whites. Were paid ¼ to ½ less than whites.

THE CHINESE EXPERIENCE Anti-Chinese Bill in 1885 (Head Tax - $50) to limit Chinese immigration (railway was built). Anti-Chinese Bill in 1885 (Head Tax - $50) to limit Chinese immigration (railway was built). In the USA it was illegal for a White to marry a Chinese person (changed in the 1940s) – not accepted in Canada but no laws making it illegal. In the USA it was illegal for a White to marry a Chinese person (changed in the 1940s) – not accepted in Canada but no laws making it illegal.

CHINESE EXPERIENCE Chinese “Head Tax” of $50 per person in 1885, in 1900 it went up to $100, and 1903 to it escalated $500 (two years wages). Chinese “Head Tax” of $50 per person in 1885, in 1900 it went up to $100, and 1903 to it escalated $500 (two years wages). Was too expensive to bring family, so usually males came and sent money back to support family = created a “bachelor society” for the Chinese in Canada. Was too expensive to bring family, so usually males came and sent money back to support family = created a “bachelor society” for the Chinese in Canada.

CHINESE EXPERIENCE In 1923 Canada passed the Chinese Exclusion Act. In 1923 Canada passed the Chinese Exclusion Act. In the following 14 years only 50 Chinese immigrants were permitted to enter. In the following 14 years only 50 Chinese immigrants were permitted to enter.

THE CHINESE EXPERIENCE TODAY From 1885 to 1923, 97,000 Chinese immigrants to Canada were forced to pay a discriminatory head tax to enter the country. From 1885 to 1923, 97,000 Chinese immigrants to Canada were forced to pay a discriminatory head tax to enter the country. That tax, was equivalent to $1.5-billion in today’s funds. That tax, was equivalent to $1.5-billion in today’s funds.

THE CHINESE EXPERIENCE TODAY Stephen Harper promised an apology and compensation for the head tax. Stephen Harper promised an apology and compensation for the head tax. In 2006 he issued a formal government apology and offered $20,000 in compensation to those who paid the head tax or those whose spouse paid the tax. In 2006 he issued a formal government apology and offered $20,000 in compensation to those who paid the head tax or those whose spouse paid the tax.

THE CHINESE EXPERIENCE TODAY To the surprise of those who fought for years to win a government apology and redress, a half- million dollars aimed at educating Canadians about the discriminatory head tax paid by Chinese immigrants was never spent and returned to government coffers. To the surprise of those who fought for years to win a government apology and redress, a half- million dollars aimed at educating Canadians about the discriminatory head tax paid by Chinese immigrants was never spent and returned to government coffers.

OTHER EXAMPLES OF HISTORICAL RACISM? What are some other examples of Canada’s dark history of racism and immigration? What are some other examples of Canada’s dark history of racism and immigration?

HISTORICAL EXPERIENCES… The historical examples provide a backdrop to help illustrate the different forms of racism found in our society today…. The historical examples provide a backdrop to help illustrate the different forms of racism found in our society today….