Aboriginals Alexandra Nemy, Kylie Summers, Mary Connor, Ben Haig, Bryan Milosevic-Hill

Registration All men over 16 were required to fill out a registration form They were required to carry this with them at all times Aboriginal people were exempt from conscription At the time there was no such thing as Canadian citizenship Canadians were British subjects either by birth or by choice Aboriginal people thought that they were allies of Britain, not their subjects Some thought that the registration was tricking them into giving up their rights As a result of this many aboriginal men refused to register

The Indian Act In 1876 the Parliament passed the Indian act. In 1876 the Parliament passed the Indian act. Gave Government complete control over lives of First Nations people on reserves. Gave Government complete control over lives of First Nations people on reserves. Benefits included government funded health care and education. However it a took away First Nations people’s right to govern themselves and their right to vote. Benefits included government funded health care and education. However it a took away First Nations people’s right to govern themselves and their right to vote. They were also prohibited from consuming alcohol. They were also prohibited from consuming alcohol. On each reserve, a government-appointed Indian agent controlled people’s day-to-day activities On each reserve, a government-appointed Indian agent controlled people’s day-to-day activities

Assimilation Goal of the Indian Act was to assimilate (to make the same) First Nations into the Canadian society Goal of the Indian Act was to assimilate (to make the same) First Nations into the Canadian society Parliament changed the act many times without consulting the First Nations people Parliament changed the act many times without consulting the First Nations people Many reserves were too small for First Nations to carry on traditional activities and unemployment was high for the First Nations Many reserves were too small for First Nations to carry on traditional activities and unemployment was high for the First Nations Their houses lacked running water and indoor toilets Their houses lacked running water and indoor toilets Poor health took toll and suicide rates jumped Poor health took toll and suicide rates jumped In 1500, about 500,000 First Nations people had lived in Canada In 1500, about 500,000 First Nations people had lived in Canada By the early 1920s, it has reduced to about 100,000 By the early 1920s, it has reduced to about 100,000

The League of Indians of Canada Goal was to protect the rights and improve living conditions of First Nations in Canada Goal was to protect the rights and improve living conditions of First Nations in Canada First Aboriginal political organization in Canada First Aboriginal political organization in Canada Formed by Fred Loft, a Mohawk from the Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve Formed by Fred Loft, a Mohawk from the Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve Government officials viewed Loft’s efforts with suspicion and tried to destroy it Government officials viewed Loft’s efforts with suspicion and tried to destroy it In 1927, changes to the Indian act made it illegal for First Nations to form political organizations In 1927, changes to the Indian act made it illegal for First Nations to form political organizations Loft died in 1934 and the organization faded away Loft died in 1934 and the organization faded away

The Enemies Frederick Loft is recognized for being the creator of the League of Indians. Duncan Scott supported assimilation and disagreed with Frederick Loft. Frederick Loft vs. Duncan Scott

Residential Schools Duncan Campbell Scott rose through the ranks to lead to the Department of Indian Affairs ( ) Believed that education was the key to assimilation and his goal was to civilize children so they could fit into the Canadian society Children were separated from siblings and friends and put into dormitories and often lost touch with their culture Teachers were harsh and cruel and required students to do housework or manual labor to reduce operating costs By 1931, 80 residential schools were across Canada and about 150,000 Aboriginals attended Graduates were qualified for citizenship rights and the right to vote however they had to give up their Indian status in return

Works Cited Information Colyer, Jill, Jack Cecillon, Graham Draper, and Margaret Hoogeveen. Creating Canada: A History to the Present. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson, Print.