The Impact of Colonization on Aboriginal Peoples

Pre-Contact Review Aboriginals crossed into Canada approximately 30,000 years ago. In Canada there are three Aboriginal groups: First Nations 2) Métis 3) Inuit Each one of these groups is comprised of many smaller groups, such as Iroquois, Algonquin, etc.

Pre-Contact Review Many of these groups shared certain similarities: plants for medicinal purposes traded (bartered) (did not use money) believed in spirits religion was very nature oriented, did not write and use oral teachings had several methods of transportation: Canoes, Kayaks, Toboggans, Snowshoes

First European Contact With the arrival of Europeans, in the late14th century came about dramatic changes for Aboriginal people. These life- altering transformations occurred with the interruption on Aboriginal people’s Economic, Cultural, Social, and Political practices.

First European Contact – Jacques Cartier French explorer. Made three voyages to Canada in: 1) 1534 2) 1535 3) 1541 His voyages were commissioned by the King of France. There were 3 main reasons for his exploration: 1) find an alternate route to China 2) bring back gold, silk and other riches 3) claim land for the King of France

First European Contact – Cartier’s 3 Visits 1st Voyage: claimed land in the name of the king and reported an abundance of fish, timber and furs 2nd Voyage: brought more French men into N.A. Four ships sailed into the Native villages of Stradacona (Quebec City) and Hochelaga (Montreal). The Natives showed the French how to survive the harsh winters. 3rd Voyage: setup a colony in the Stradacona area. With him came Missionaries who wanted to convert the natives to Christianity.

First European Contact – The Meeting of Two Cultures  The Europeans - Positive learned how to survive in the wilderness, in the cold of the winter and with the possibility of scurvy. learned how to make clothing out of leather, travel in the winter and use medicinal plants. learned of new foods, such as maple syrup and pumpkin.

First European Contact – The Meeting of Two Cultures  The Aboriginal Peoples - Positive learned of new foods, salt and bread. Europeans introduced them to woolen cloth. They were also brought iron weapons, which they became increasingly dependant on.

First European Contact – The Meeting of Two Cultures  The Aboriginal Peoples - Negative The Europeans introduced them to alcohol The Europeans brought diseases, like small pox, influenza and measles, which killed thousands. The fur trade changed the Native’s ways of living. The French tried to impose Christianity on them.

Changes to Aboriginal Society New technologies were introduced Imported diseases such as: Small pox, Tuberculosis wiped-out many Aboriginals. Their whole way of life was altered. Their rights as human beings were violated in the sense that their independence was taken.

Social Assimilation, acculturation, marginalization and segregation through the Residential school system was enforced. This caused a big disconnect from the family unit in most cases. Aboriginals were segregated and removed from society and pushed onto parcels of crown land, (aka. Reserves). Grandparents were the teachers who taught the young life lessons, traditions etc. The introduction to the Westernized educational system was imposed.

Economic Historically, Aboriginals thrived off the land with its abundance of dietary richness it once held. A gradual dependence on the government for survival took over. Economy was based on trade -Europeans introduced the notion of wealth and status, and traditional housing. Use of firearms caused the decline of buffalo

Political 1867 – Confederacy – most Canadian politicians no longer believed it was necessary to consider the wishes of Aboriginal peoples. They were not included in the discussions that led to the creation of Canada. Constitution of 1867 – federal government assumed responsibility for “Indians” and land reserved for Indians. 1876 – “Indians” were considered wards of the state and placed under the guardianship of the Canadian government which determined the rules by which they could live. The introduction of the Indian Act by the French and British. The right to vote was not extended to Aboriginal people until 1960. Clan systems disappeared. Christianity was forced on Aboriginal people which resulted in a shift in traditional values and thinking. Paternalism, missionaries replaced existing ways.

Culture Practicing cultural activities/ceremonies became outlawed attempted assimilation on Aboriginals, family units, kinship, matriarchal to patriarchal practices.