Background to Aboriginal Peoples in Canada

1. Background to Aboriginal Peoples in Canada • Archaeological Evidence: • In Canada A.E. confirms that some aboriginal peoples have been living in Canada for at least 11,000 years • Before European contact, 53 aboriginal languages existed • Geographical diversity added to what was already a broad range of cultures within Canada • What changed all that? • As Confederation approached in 1867, Europeans began to see that the aboriginal way of life was inferior. • The Euro-Canadian lifestyle was most appropriate; the Canadian Government forced aboriginal peoples from their land, put their children in aboriginal schools, and made aboriginals live according to their laws… (assimilate not integrate)

2. The Royal Proclamation, 1763 • Viewed as a remarkable document for its time, the Royal Proclamation prevented any further settlement across North America until treaties had been established • Treaties needed to be signed with aboriginal peoples, and it recognized that aboriginals were organized nations on their own lands • This law is the basis for many modern aboriginal land claims, including in British Columbia where treaties were never signed…

3. The Reserve System, 1830 • Viewed as “blocking the future settlement” of British North America, aboriginals were pushed onto reservations managed by agents of the government • The federal government passed legislation which granted the government control and management of the lands and property of the aboriginals in Canada • These reserves were originally located within the areas where various tribes were situated, however, the lands (enclosures) were much smaller than they had previously been • Today, only 0.4% of Canadian land is set aside for reservations

4. The Reserve System II • Living on reserves limits the ability of aboriginal peoples from fully participating in the Canadian economy • Keys to generate wealth: using individual property as leverage (collateral) for loans and wealth creation • Land on reserves is “technically” owned by the government, so no loans or mortgages allowed (recent exceptions) • Further to this, federal money given to the bands is distributed down through band councils to disperse as they choose • This creates quite the power struggle, and is also an area of concern for potential corruption • Reserves tend to be characterized with low living conditions, lower than average life expectancy (6yrs), and higher suicide rates (8 times)

5. Aboriginal Peoples 1864-1867 • In the last years leading up to confederation, Aboriginal leaders were invited to attend Confederation negotiations • During this time the goal was to assimilate aboriginal nations in to the Canadian mainstream • The end goal of CAN gov’t: • Aboriginals were to adopt the same culture, and essential become the same as European Canadians…

6. Indian Act, 1867 This was the Canadian Gov’t official way of encouraging aboriginal peoples to give up their own cultures and traditions, thereby assimilating them into the Canadian mainstream… Disadvantages of Indian Act: Indian Act places aboriginals in role of the child as “wards of the state” Denied free choice of where to live, and to vote provincially Wanna vote? Denounce “status” Viewed as being “incompatible” with the rest of CAN Traditions and memorabilia shipped to museums • Benefits of Indian Act: • Provided schools, medical care, hunting & fishing rights, annual treaty pay. • Exempted aboriginals from paying income and sales taxes. • By giving them “special status”, some aboriginals are keen to keep the very legislation that “colonized” them, as it recognizes them, as having special status…

7. Residential Schools • Under the Indian Act, the federal gov’t assumed the responsibility of the education system for aboriginal children • Children were taken from their own homes, taken from their religion and tradition. Often placed in abusive situations • Residential Schools designed to have children live in dormitories away from parents & reserves - taught by Protestant & Catholic missionaries (bring them to religion) • Low success rates (3% made it to grade 6, 1930) • 1951 aboriginals were allowed to go to school within the public system

8. Legacy (or lack there of) of Residential Schools • In the 1990s, the United Church of Canada along with several Catholic religious orders accepted the harmful practices that they were involved with in residential schools • Some people have been awarded compensation for the sexual abuse that was suffered in residential schools, and many lawsuits are still ongoing