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Aboriginal Nations in Canada. “You Are on Indian Land”. In 1960, when “ Status Indians ” finally got the right to vote, most Aboriginal people were suffering through terrible living conditions: Poverty Poor health Lack of education Poor housing Discrimination. Consequences:
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Aboriginal Nations in Canada “You Are on Indian Land”
In 1960, when “Status Indians” finally got the right to vote, most Aboriginal people were suffering through terrible living conditions: • Poverty • Poor health • Lack of education • Poor housing • Discrimination
Consequences: • The life expectancy of Aboriginal Canadians was approximately half that of white Canadians! • Even today, the average Aboriginal Canadian is expected to live 6-8 years less than other Canadians.
How did Aboriginal Canadians respond? • In 1968, Aboriginal people living on reserves formed the National Indian Brotherhood. • Purpose: To lobby the government on their behalf. • What is lobbying? Pressuring the government to do something you want.
Result: • Pierre Trudeau’s government made proposals to deal with Aboriginal issues in the 1969 White Paper: • Government will stop being overly protective of natives. • Natives will be treated like everyone else. • Special rights of those living on reserves will be abolished.
Goal of White Paper: • Get natives to move to cities • There they will become part of mainstream society • Eventually they will be ASSIMILATED and their problems will disappear along with their culture!
How did Aboriginal Nations respond? • Aboriginal people were furious, and saw the White Paper as an attack on their right to maintain their unique identity. • The National Indian Brotherhood led the attack on the White Paper, and instead of assimilation, they demanded self-government. • The N.I.B. Presented Jean Chretien with their own paper, called the “Red Paper”. • A surprised Chretien announced he was shelving the White Paper.
Aboriginal Concerns • Gradually, First Nations began to take some control in areas that concerned them most: • Education • Band schools • Boarding home program • Residential schools system abandoned • Federal government apologizes and announces a $350 million healing fund. • The Environment • Concerned that hydroelectric & natural gas projects endangering hunting, fishing, and trapping. • Mackenzie Pipeline suspended • James Bay Hydro Project two new phases halted
The Path to Self-Government • Aboriginal nations fought for legal recognition of Aboriginal rights. • Aboriginal rights entrenched in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. • Bill C-31 – ability to decide who lives on reserves. • The stage was set for discussions about self-government. • Aboriginal Land Claims: • Specific Claims – treaties signed • Comprehensive Claims – questioning the ownership of land.
The Oka Confrontation • By the end of the 80’s, many specific claims were slowly making their way through the courts. • Few Canadians paid much attention, however, until the summer of 1990, when events in the Quebec town of Oka make headlines nationwide. • The Oka town council decided to expand a golf course into sacred Mohawk land. • The Mohawks tried to stop the construction of the golf course by blockading the land. • Police were called in to remove the blockade. • Oka Crisis full documentary
On July 11, police advanced on the Mohawk lines, gunfire broke out, and an officer was killed. • Tensions escalated in the stand-off and Quebec Premier Robert Bourassa called in the Canadian Forces. • In September, members of other bands persuaded the Mohawks to end the stand-off. • The Significance of the Oka Confrontation ... • Oka was a wake-up call to the government and people of Canada. • Canada’s First Nations had demonstrated that they were prepared to fight for their rights!
