HISTORICAL JOURNEY PART II: CHAPTER 8

INTRODUCTION During the first half of the 20th century, Canada became involved in 3 major wars: World War I, World War II, and the Korean War In all 3 wars, a significant number of First Nations people volunteered to fight on behalf of Canada, despite the fact that they were not treated the same as Canadian citizens. the government continued to attack land claims and potlatches. Many of the soldiers who returned home from war became leaders in fighting for First Nations rights.

WORLD WAR I (1914-1918) Approximately 1 in 3 able-bodied men who were old enough to serve enlisted in the war. First Nations women also participated in the war effort by forming Red Cross societies and other charities. collected clothes, money, and food for shipment overseas.

WORLD WAR I (1914-1918) Many First Nations men earned medals of valor in practically every major land battle. At least 300 First Nations men from BC died in war; and many more became ill with tuberculosis. Following the war, a strain of influenza spread quickly, affected First Nations communities particularly hard.

MCKENNA-MCBRIDE COMMISSION (1912-1916) After the Victoria Conference in 1911, the two governments realized that what they called the “Indian Problem” was not going away. Canada (federal government) and British Columbia (provincial government) decided to form a commission called the McKenna- McBride commission – named after the Prime Minister and the Premier.

The point of the McKenna-McBride commission was to visit each BC First Nations community and consult with the people about how much land was needed; as well as to assign additional reserves. The commission did make new reserves, but in the process they also removed valuable land from certain reserves. This valuable land is known as cut-off lands.

In 1913 Duncan Campbell Scott came to control the Department of Indian Affairs. main goal was to completely assimilate First Nations into mainstream Canadian Society. saw the McKenna-McBride commission as a perfect way to achieve his goals.

He drafted a document called Order-in-Council that stated if the decisions of the commission were accepted by the courts, then the First Nations people would give up all title to land. First Nations would have to accept whatever compensation the government thought was fair; AND they would not be allowed to take the issue to court. This led to further outrage and protest in the First Nations’ communities.

NATIVE BROTHERHOOD OF BC 1930’s saw the creation of the Native Brotherhood of BC. Created after The Allied Indian Tribes broke apart after it was made illegal to pursue land claims. started on the fishing grounds of the North Coast (Haida and Tsimshian territories) to promote better social, physical and economic conditions. petitioned to request from the government revisions to the hunting and trapping laws in order for First Nations to follow traditional practices without restrictions or permits.

By the 1940’s the Native Brotherhood represented most of the coastal communities and some of the interior communities. also became a union that supported First Nations people in the fishing industry. Achievements: Helping people become eligible for the Old Age Pension and Family Allowance programs improved medical and education on reserves Lobbied to change the BC Schools Act to permit First Nations to attend public school.

WORLD WAR II “Because we lacked European education, most of our men served in the infantry. We were among the first to see action and the last to come home” – George Manuel. More than 3000 First Nations soldiers across Canada volunteered to to fight in World War II. Although they were treated equally overseas, the equality disappeared when they returned home. Many men and women who enlisted in the war were forced to lose their status. In order for First Nations veterans to receive the benefits given to war veterans they were told to enfranchise.

Canadian veterans that returned from the war were eligible for: A low interest loan of $6000 to purchase agricultural property or invest in fishing From the $6000 loan, $2320 was forgiven(did not have to pay back) However, First Nations veterans that returned from the war were not able to get the same thing. Since reserve land could not be sold, they were not eligible for the loan. could receive the grant of $2320, BUT if they were approved the government would hold the money in-trust. Many Metis and Non-status were treated like status First Nations in that some were only given the grant money instead of being eligible for the full loan.

POST-WAR DEVELOPMENTS After WWII the creation of the United Nations helped to change the relationship between First Nations and the provincial and federal governments. Many returning soldiers were able to experience equality, and learn how other nations were fighting for the rights of others. This made them become active leaders in their communities at home. The Native Brotherhood fought to get the right for First Nations to vote in the provincial elections in 1949. Federal elections did not allow First Nations to vote until 1960. In 1951 the Indian Act was revised to remove the anti-potlatch law and ban on land claims activities; as well as to allow women the right to vote in band council elections.