Canada’s Aboriginal Population Aboriginal peoples – descendants of Canada’s original inhabitants First Nation – Aboriginal group wishing to be treated as distinct based on common culture and history

Federal government divides Aboriginals into three groups Indian Status Indians – entitled to rights through treaties Non-status Indians –are not covered under treaties Inuit Aboriginal people living in the Arctic Métis Of Aboriginal and European descent

The Treaty-Making Process French first signed treaty with Canadian Aboriginals in 1665. Made treaties as equals for common goals (military). (Aboriginals predominant) When England dominated the New World in 1759 many Europeans immigrated to Canada – treaties tended to favour British British want land; Aboriginals want rights protected (live undisturbed) = reserves British Royal Proclamation or 1763 = land-ownership rights of First Nations were to be respected & they should have fair payment for land they gave up --- Unfortunately not always kept

Indian Act, 1876 – treaties signed that made Aboriginal peoples give up their land claims permanently in return for cash, goods, and fishing and hunting rights to carry on traditional life Canadian government believed reserves would disappear as Aboriginals entered mainstream culture 1923 = final land in Ontario given through treaty. Treaty-making ended for 50 years (treaties never signed in BC or NWT into; 1970s) Treaties now = compensation

Problems Caused by Treaties 1. Loss of Land and Economic Base (way to support themselves) Reserves make up <1% of Canada’s area for 1mil. Aboriginals Reserves on poor land Reserves difficult to leave: stay = friends and family but often unemployment and poverty; leave = better economy, but loss of community

2. Lack of Self-Government Federal government “in charge” Caused many negative effects for the Aboriginal people – land issues, residential schools, attempts to assimilate Aboriginal Peoples treated unfairly in the past; trying to right some of that now : Constitution Act, 1982 recognized Aboriginal issues; compensation Still seeing negative responses today = protests Ipperwash Beach 2014 (CTV, CBC) Read Case Study pg. 206-212 #1, 4, 7, 8