FIRST NATIONS THE TREATY PROCESS

Native people – descendants of Canada’s original inhabitants – have had a complex, and often difficult relationship with the non Natives (mainly European) Europeans came over about 500 years ago Natives became a small minority on own land Forced to sign agreements – called treaties

Natives wanted to accomplish two things by signing treaties Wanted to maintain own natural resources (fishing, land). Right to control their own lives These goals FAILED MISERABLEY

FIRST NATIONS Is a native group Members share a common culture and history Wish to be treated as a distinct group on this basis

3 NATIVE GROUPS For legal purposes, our government divides Native people into three groups Indian (First Nations) Inuit – aboriginals in the north – 5% Métis – descendants of European Fur Traders AND aboriginal people – 30%

METIS Were not recognized by government as one of the three aboriginal groups until 1982.

WHAT WENT WRONG WITH THE SIGNING OF TREATIES???

1. LOST LAND AND ECONOMIC BASE Aboriginals lost land and economic base Lost to due to settlement of Europeans Given “reserves” live on… however, reserves were not large enough or rich enough to provide a sound economic base

RESERVES 2360 reserves Less than 0.3% of Canada’s land area people of first nations descent Many reserves are poor in resources Very difficult to live their way of live

ABORIGINALS HAD 2 CHOICES Can stay on reserves with family and friends But face a future of unemployment and poverty Or they can move to the city in hopes of a better economic future But only by abandoning their community

2. NO RIGHTS… - LACK OF SELF GOVERNMENT Native people given no right to govern themselves Had to send native children to “European” schools Taken from home In large towns Forced to learn new language and way of life Punished if spoken own language

Canadian government had laws to protect wildlife… Native people traditionally hunted to live Aboriginal leaders argue that these should not apply to natives

Native people also harmed by development Dams - Flood native land

FINALLY, THE NATIVES CAN GOVERN THEMSELVES…

NUNAVUT WAS CREATED!!! - Read Page

CANADA Is from the Huron-Iroquois word Kanata meaning “village”.

TORONTO Is from the Mohawk word tkaronto meaning “trees standing in the water”

WINNIPEG Is from the Cree words win-nipi meaning “murky water”.

SASKATCHEWAN Is from the Cree words Kisikatchewani Sipi meaning “swift-flowing river”.