The Colonial Era , 1849-1871

1. The Colonial Era, 1849-1871 "...they are playing with the rocks, down at the beach...They're gathering these nice yellow rocks” Elder Annie York, Nlaka'pamux (in reference to gold panners) (p. 81)

2. Introduction • The process of colonization in British Columbia was different from that of Eastern Canada. • The Royal Proclamation of 1763, which guided the relationship between Britain and First Nations in the east, was ignored by B.C. administrators.

3. The Royal Proclamation of 1763 set out the guidelines for making treaties, but its principles were ignored in British Columbia. • Many of the issues confronting First Nations people in British Columbia today have their origins in the policies of the colonial governments.

4. Territorial concerns with the U.S.A. led to the creation of the colony of Vancouver Island.

5. Around the same time the gold rushes brought huge population growth, resulting in the creation of the colony of British Columbia.

6. The policies of colonial leaders such as James Douglas and Joseph Trutch set the foundations for the provincial government's relationship with First Nations people.

7. Clashes between European and First Nations world views rapidly increased and colonial authorities often depended on military attacks to enforce colonial laws.

8. The Chilcotin « War » • When is a war “just”?  That is, when is it ‘justified’ to fight a war? • Saint Augustine came up with a set of guidelines more than 1,000 years ago that nations still use today to justify to their people and the world why they fight.  Read the handout. 

9. During the gold rush the Tsilhqot’in people felt justified in attacking White road builders.  Do their actions fall under the criteria of the Just War Theory? • Read your text p. 84-85 and prepare to talk about the war with your teacher following the presentation guidelines.