1. Aboriginal Spirituality
The History Of
Aboriginal Spirituality

2. European Contact and Aboriginal Spiritual Traditions
for thousands of years the First Nations occupied Canada

3. European Contact and Aboriginal Spiritual Traditions Cont’d…
they satisfied all of their material and spiritual needs through natural resources around them
Picture of Buffalo Meat Drying. Many early Métis hunted buffalo and made pemmican with the meat. They supplied pemmican to European traders. This painting shows Métis drying buffalo meat.

4. European Contact and Aboriginal Spiritual Traditions Cont’d…
European explorers first arrived in the 11th century 
contact between Europeans and Aboriginal peoples had a range of impacts including trade, commerce, conflict and competition for land and resources
several alliances and treaties were made between the aboriginals and Europeans

5. European Contact and Aboriginal Spiritual Traditions Cont’d…
overtime more and more settlers came to Canada displacing the Aboriginals
reserves were created and land was set aside for specific First Nations peoples to use
Europeans considered their own ways superior and Aboriginal ways “uncivilized”
Aboriginal peoples were expected to give up their ways

6. European Contact and Aboriginal Spiritual Traditions Cont’d…
the Gradual Civilization Act (1857) was passed to assimilate Aboriginal peoples into European culture

7. European Contact and Aboriginal Spiritual Traditions Cont’d..
the Indian Act (1876) allowed the federal government to set up residential schools for Aboriginal children, which were run by Anglican, United, Presbyterian, and Catholic churches

8. European Contact and Aboriginal Spiritual Traditions Cont’d…
in 1885, the potlatch ceremony was banned
in 1895, all Aboriginal ceremonies, dances, and festivals were banned
the ban was lifted in 1951
Many banned Aboriginal ceremonies continued in private, and

9. Recent History
the territory of Nunavut, created in 1999, was the largest land claim settlement in Canada’s history
Aboriginal spirituality has become recognized as an official religion; the eagle feather can now be used in the provincial justice system instead of a Bible

10. Recent History Cont’d…
residential schools were closed after the public became aware of the cultural, physical, and sexual abuse that occurred there

11. Recent History Cont’d…
the federal government and the churches involved have apologized to Aboriginal peoples
a Truth and Reconciliation Commission is documenting the legacy of residential schools
Back Story
Picture of Federal Government Apology to Aboriginal Peoples. In 2008, on behalf of the government of Canada, Prime Minister Stephen Harper asked “the forgiveness of the Aboriginal peoples of this country for failing them so profoundly,” and added, “We are sorry.” He is shown here presenting a citation to Assembly of First Nations Chief Phil Fontaine.

12. Aboriginal People in Canada Today
many Aboriginal people are trying to address the negative impacts of contact
they are reviving Aboriginal spiritual traditions and practices within an increasingly secular society, and integrating Aboriginal spiritual heritage with Christianity
Picture of Aboriginal Christian Symbols. Many attempts have been made to incorporate Aboriginal symbols within Christianity. What Aboriginal and Christian symbols can you identify in the photograph?

13. Homework Read pages 70-77 in textbook
Answer questions 1, 4 & 5 on page 77
Create vocabulary flashcards