Aboriginal Peoples In Victorian Times p. 93-97

Victorian Times – How did people view Native Peoples? Positive Negative Warrior Noble Strong Smart Savage Animal Uncivilized

Reserves Aboriginal peoples were displaced to make room for new settlers Forced onto reserves – land set aside by governments for First Nations Reserves were much smaller land areas than previously owned Difficult for Aboriginals to keep traditional ties to land Much disease, poverty, and other social problems

Change in Lifestyle Look at the second paragraph on p. 93. Answer the following question: What did the government force some Aboriginal communities to do? Why was this problematic?

Letter from Anishinabe leader to the governor “…you have become a great people, whilst we have melted away like snow beneath an April sun; our strength is wasted, our countless warriors dead, our forests laid low; you have hounded us from every place like a wand, you have swept away all our pleasant land, and like some giant foe you tell us “willing or unwilling, you must now go from amid these rocks and wastes…” Little Pine 1849 PRIMARY SOURCE Laid low: cut down Foe: enemy Amid: amongst Give two reasons why Little Pine is concerned for his peoples. What words does Little Pine use to make this an emotional appeal?

Treaties and Land Access Treaty: a formal agreement between two states in reference to peace, alliance, commerce, or other international relations Local governments challenged terms of existing treaties, because they wanted the best land for resources First Nations people were tricked into renting out farmland, which was then sold to immigrants (they got the rights to the land and the Aboriginals lost the land).

1857 Gradual Civilization Act (p. 95) The Gradual Civilization Act was passed by the government of the Province of Canada It was meant to ___________________ Aboriginal peoples by making them _____________________ of Britain. Why was this a problem?

Enfranchisement Enfranchisement: giving someone the rights and protection of a citizen of a particular country Native peoples became citizens of Britain – attempt to make them more European

Cultural Genocide Cultural genocide: the act of completely destroying the culture of a people Many people think that forcing First Nations on to reserves and to adopt European ways was a cultural genocide Look at the PRIMARY SOURCE on page 97 by Sir John Colborne. Compare this with the three bullet points to the left of the primary source. How would Colborne’s policy be detrimental (negative) for Aboriginal culture?

1876 Indian Act Consolidated previous laws Government could take resources from reserves, such as timber, without asking Made them legal wards of the state (decisions made by government on their behalf) They were: forbidden to practice tradition, ceremonial items were collected and burned, they couldn’t leave reserves, they couldn’t attend university; the government forced them from land and moved them to tiny spaces.

1876 Indian Act Outlined conditions for being an “Indian” in the eyes of the law Any woman that married an Aboriginal man could be considered an Indian and could be allowed to live and even be buried on a reserve. These women also received other cultural and social benefits by gaining Indian status. However, any Aboriginal woman who married a white, European male was now considered to be a bona fide member of Canadian society. She lost her Indian status and every right that came with it. All "half-breed" Indians, like the Métis, were not entitled to Indian status. This included Métis who had received scrip - transferable land or cash allowances that were issued on paper certificates.

Treaties Number Six and Seven Look at the handout given to you by the teacher. List three things taken away from Aboriginals through Treaties Number Six and Seven.

Paragraph Writing You are going to write a paragraph that answers the following questions: How were Aboriginal peoples treated unfairly in the Victorian Era? How did this affect Aboriginal culture and traditions?