11. Aboriginal Issues  In 1960, Aboriginal people were granted the right to vote  However, they still faced many issues: land claim disputes, poor quality of life, and the government’s assimilation policy remained

12. The White Paper  In 1969 Jean Chretien was the minister of Indian Affairs, and produced a White Paper (a government document proposing a solution to a problem)  He suggested ending the federal government’s treaty obligations to the First Nations, dissolving the Indian Affairs department and abolishing the Indian Act  He wanted to transfer responsibility to the Provinces

13. The White Paper  This meant that:  First Nations would lose their Indian status  Reserves would be dissolved  Land Claims would disappear  Chretien argued this would create equality between First Nations and non-aboriginal peoples, and shift the emphasis from cultural protection to economic development

14. The Red Paper  The White Paper shocked First Nations, who had not been consulted while the White Paper was being prepared  Harold Cardinal, a Cree scholar from Alberta, wrote a response in a book titled “The Unjust Society” which would later be nicknamed The Red Paper  He claimed that being ‘equal’ ignored history and denied the rights of Aboriginal people

15. The James Bay Project  In 1971 Hydro-Quebec started a project to exploit the hydroelectric power of rivers running into James Bay  Plans included building huge dams, diverting major rivers, and creating large reservoirs  But the plan was made without consulting the Cree and Inuit who lived in the area  They formed the Quebec Association of Indians and took their case to court

16. James Bay Project  In 1973 the Quebec Superior Court ordered the project stopped until they negotiated a treaty  The James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement was signed in 1975  This was the first treaty signed with Aboriginal Peoples in 50 years and established a model for future agreements

17. James Bay Project  In return for giving up rights to certain lands, the Cree and Inuit, and Naskapi First Nations received:  Exclusive use of 14000 square km of territory  Financial compensation of $225 million  Responsibility for and control of education, health care and social services  Roles on committees and board to protect the environment

18. Aboriginal Activism Today

21. Regional Discontent  Differences in employment opportunities and resources across Canada meant some regions were better off than others  In 1957 the government started equalization payments that still continue today, where they take from the rich provinces and give to the poor  Pierre Trudeau created the Departmnet of Regional Economic Expansion in 1969 to focus on improving the economy of disadvantaged regions

22. Equality for Women  By the 1960s women’s movements had broadened their focus to achieving gender equality  In 1967 the federal government created the Royal Commission on the Status of Women  To investigate and report on conditions for women in Canada, and to make recommendations to improve  The commission resulted in 167 recommendations for how the federal government could make women and men more equal