1. Systematic Cultural Assimilation Indian Act Residential Schools Their Impact

2. The Indian Act Government has a agreed upon responsibility to help First Nations Fiduciary Role The government forms Indian Act to fulfill this role.

3. 1867 Indian Act "The great aim of our legislation has been to do away with the tribal system and assimilate the Indian people in all respects with the other inhabitants of the Dominion as speedily as they are fit to change.” - John A Macdonald, 1887

4. Main Goal of Indian Act Put an end to their barbaric culture. 1.Turn them into farmers. (reserves) 2.Get them to integrate into capitalist society. (reserve rules) 3.Educate them. (residential schools) 4.Christianize them. (missionaries) 5.Strip the former culture from them. (segregation and criminalize)

5. Reserves: Assimilation Reserve lands would be set aside for first nations people. You are only considered an “Indian” (status) if you live on this land. Life on the reserve was deliberately made hard in hopes that the First Nations would join in progress with the rest of society Each of these dots represents reserved territories. 3 million hectares. The reserves are less than 0.5% of Canada.

6. Reserves: Rules Must set up leadership that is recognized by government and voted on in democratic elections. The land must be used for status Indians. The resources cannot be sold to Canadians. (economically difficult) Complete tax exemptions while on the land.

7. Education: Kill the Indian in the Child Modernize, Christianize and civilize kids so they could transform their culture.

8. Unintended Consequences Separated from family Brainwashed in another culture Loss of language and tradition. Think/ Pair/ Share What are the consequences for 1. children, 2. parents, 3. communities?

9. Truth and Reconciliation 2010 Residential Schools shut down in the last 30 years. Class action lawsuits against churches and government started poring in. Government Apology. Aim to get the “survivor’s stories” (no proof required) Financially compensate abuses. (proof required, average payment 114,000$) Financially compensate everyone. (average payment of 21,000$) Total Payment of 2.5 Billion.

10. Where to Now? Sovereignty over land is the main issue. How to end poverty and terrible statistics. What to replace the Indian Act with.