1. Aboriginals and Canada
Assimilation and its impact in the 20th Century

2. Potential Essay Questions
Explain how intolerance has been an issue in Canada since 1914.
To what extent has intolerance been an issue in Canada throughout the 20th century?
Text Pages about Aboriginal Affairs: , , 241,

3. Canada’s Policy of Assimilation
Indian Act gave authority over Aboriginals
Made people wards of the state
Goal of Canadian Government to assimilate Aboriginal Peoples
Banned cultural traditions
Potlaches
Used Residential Schools
Kill the Indian in the child

4. Reserve System
Aboriginal Bands placed on reserves through treaties or (in BC) forced
Reserves were on less favourable land
Aboriginals had to seek approval of Indian Agent for any decisions on the territory
Govt took cut-off lands at will

5. Aboriginals gain respect during wars but…
Percentage of volunteers from Aboriginals during both World Wars extremely high
Gained reputation for courage at the front
When returning from the front did not get same treatment as other soldiers
No pensions in WW1

6. Post WW2 Progress
Aboriginals begin to get the right to vote (suffrage)
BC in 1949
Canada in 1960
Quebec not until 1969
Some Cultural Traditions allowed again
Potlaches can reoccur (1950s)

7. Artic Relocation
1953 – Canadian gov moved First Nations ppl. to Northern Quebec and NWT
families volunteered to move, but they were not warned about the conditions of the Artic or how difficult it would be to return to Quebec if they wished to do so.
Families dropped off with o supplies.
1980 – lawsuit against Canadian gov. suggested they moved Natives to artic to help Canadian sovereignty during cold war.
gov gave compensation to survivors.

8. The White Paper
Aboriginals complain of Issues of poverty, unemployment and addiction on reserves
Federal Government recommends ending the Indian Act as a way to deal with the issue
Goal was to create equality through assimilation ( as it basically suggested treating aboriginals the same as everyone else.)
White Paper eventually abandoned– Aboriginals were furious – saw it as an attack on their right to maintain their unique identity.
cultural genocide

9. The Red Paper - 1970 Aboriginals responded with the Red Paper
Argued that the White Paper would lead to the destruction of First Nations cultures
To get rid of Aboriginal rights after years of Residential Schools and assimilation would see the end of language etc
They proposed self- government for aboriginal people and control over own affairs.

10. Oka Crisis - 1990 Land claim crisis in Oka Quebec
The town of Oka attempted to increase the size of a golf course on disputed land
Police officer shot in ensuing stand off
Canadian military brought in
Canadian Government resolved the conflict by giving the land to the Mohawk Nation and paying Oka Quebec for the land

11. Specific vs Comprehensive Land Claims
Specific Land Claims occur where there is already a treaty in place and it is used by the courts
Comprehensive Land Claims occur where there is no treaty
Most claims in BC fall under this category
All factors must be considered in court

12. Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples
1 in 4 children in poverty as opposed to 1 in 6 Canadian Children
Live expectancy 7 years lower for First Nations Men and 5 years for First Nations Women
Unemployment over 50%
Canada one of only two countries NOT to initally sign the UN Declaration on the Rights of Aboriginal People
Canada signed the Declaration in June 2012

13. Rejection of Meech Lake Accord
Meech Lake Accord was an attempt to amend the Constitution of Canada to please Quebec
Elijah Harper – First Nations MLA from Manitoba refused
No Aboriginals in negotiations even though Quebec to be considered a distinct society
Manitoba Assembly needed unanimous consent to move forward

14. Self-Government
In negotiations with both the Federal and Provincial Governments Aboriginals are seeking to resolve land claims and the level of power their government will have
Aboriginal bands will have the power of Provinces or less/more?
Control over resources?
Control over policing?
Control over education?

15. Nisga’a Agreement
The Nisga’a have reached an agreement on Self-Government and territory
This took more than 100 years to achieve

16. Nunavut - 1999 New territory in Canada the result of negotiations
Territory has self- government after negotiations with Inuit
Includes control over education and resources

17. Apologies and Compensation
Governments in Canada apologize for Residential Schools
After a court case involving those who suffered in Residential Schools Governments apologized
Paid 1.9 billion dollars in compensation to victims
Still: