1. The Indian Act and the NW Rebellion
2008 Harper gave
Federal Apology

2. Wab Kinew: 8th Fire

3. The Royal Proclamation of 1763
A document that set out guidelines for European settlement of Aboriginal territories in what is now North America.
Ownership over North America is given to the King.
States that all land is to be considered Aboriginal land until treaty is reached.
Only the Crown (the Royals) can buy land from Aboriginals.
Set the foundation for establishing treaties.
WHAT WAS PROMISED WAS NEVER UPHELD.

4. Small Pox Wipe Out (1862)
1/3 of Aboriginal populations in Canada are wiped out by foreign disease. There are cases recorded of intentional spread.
Allows a more manageable control of Aboriginal peoples by European colonizers.
Smallpox is particularly rampant.

5. The Indian Act of 1876
Canadian federal law that governs Indian status, bands, and reserves
Highly invasive and paternalistic as it governs over the day to day lives of Aboriginal peoples and their lands and homes.
Aim was to assimilate.
Defined who could be a status Indian under the government.
Set up reserves and forced Aboriginal people to live on these plots of land.
Controlled cultural practices and tradition through Indian Agents
"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

6. The Indian Act Continued…
GENDER DISCRIMINATION:
Historically, Aboriginal society was not always male dominated.
Women’s status was completely tied to their husbands status.
An Aboriginal woman would lose her status if she married a non-Aboriginal man. Lost her treaty, reserve, and burial rights.
If a Aboriginal man married a non-Aboriginal woman she would immediately gain Aboriginal status.
If a woman was widowed or divorced, she would immediately lose her status.
Women could not claim status for their children.

7. THE NORTHWEST REBELLION
REASONS THE METIS WERE FRUSTRATED.
Could not re-create the Red River Settlement.
Troubles gaining land titles in Red River & the Northwest.
Canadian gov’t had its own agenda –> Natives not part of treaty process.
Prairie land was to pay off railway and debts.
Gov’t slashed “Indian Dept.”
budget less food/no farming.
Promised farm/land aid never
happened.
Blackmail => “Difficult Indians”
FN who did not follow the
Law were starved and
received no food relief.
By 1884, many First Nations
people starving.
Status under Indian Act unclear
THE BLACKFOOT

8. NORTH WEST REBELLION - RIEL RETURNS
In 1884, Riel returned from the US.
The Metis convinced Riel to leave his teaching
job and return to Canada to fight for his people.
Riel returned with peaceful intentions and
created the Metis Bill of Rights much more detailed
than the List of Rights and included Metis frustration
With the desire to be equal.
With his return everyone thinks there will be another rebellion.
John A MacDonald’s CPR is going bankrupt and he wants to finish the railway quick..needs to defend against Metis rebellion.
By March of 1885, Riel knew the Metis
could not achieve rights peacefully.
“Justice commands us to take up arms”
LOUIS RIEL
BATTLES
- DUCK LAKE
- FISH CREEK
- BATOCHE
GABRIEL DUMONT

9. ROLE OF THE FIRST NATIONS
The Cree supported the Metis and
fought with them for their rights and
land.
The Blackfoot opted not to fight as Chief
Crowfoot felt change was inevitable & he
wanted the best deal possible for his people.
“Pragmatist”. (realist, pratical) He understood that
Change would happen anyway and wanted the
Least difficult option.
CREE CHIEF
POUNDMAKER
CREE CHIEF
BIG BEAR
After the loss at Batoche Canadian troops arrested the Aboriginal leaders and they were either pardoned or sentenced to short prison terms. They were mislead children brainwashed by Riel PATERNALISM
BLACKFOOT
CHIEF
CROWFOOT
Who was being most loyal to
their people?

10. RIEL’S ARREST By May, Riel was arrested and Dumont
had escaped to the US.
Riel’s lawyers recommended he plead
insanity.
Riel refused as went against everything
he had been fighting for.
Riel was found guilty of high treason
but the judge and jury recommended
Clemency. The Canadian gov. wouldn’t
Have it and…
Riel was hanged Nov. 16, 1885.
MARTYR????
Riel’s jury - What emotion do
you see?