Timeline of Indigenous Relations in Canada

Founding of Quebec
The establishment of Quebec by French settlers marked the start of European colonization in Canada. While alliances have been fashioned with a few Indigenous groups, like the Huron-Wendat, colonization disrupted Indigenous approaches of existence through sickness, abuse, and land displacement.

Royal Proclamation
The Royal Proclamation saw Indigenous land rights and said that only the Crown may negotiate land treaties with Indigenous peoples. It was an early try and protect Indigenous territories from unchecked European agreement.

Residential Schools Begin
Christian preachers first established residential schools to collect all Indigenous children ages 4-16 and bring them into the Euro-Canadian culture. These schools forced took the children from their families and community and caused permanent trauma

Canadian Confederation
The federal government took control of Indigenous issues and gave rise to politics that excluded indigenous communities.

Indian Act
The Indian act was introduced to control Indigenous peoples. It imposed restrictions on Indigenous people's governance, culture and land rights and implemented the residential school system.

Potlatch Ban
The Canadian government banned a central cultural and spiritual practice, Potalch ceremony for many Indigenous peoples on the West Coast. It was part of a complete effort to defeat Indigenous traditions.

Ban on Indigenous Political Organizing
The Indian act was adapted to prevent Indigenous peoples from employing political organizations or pursuing land requirements. This limited their ability to support their rights.

Amendments to the Indian Act
Some limited rules for the Indian act were removed, such as the ban on Potalch celebrations . However, the act has continued to implement considerable control over Indigenous peoples' lives.

Indigenous Peoples Granted the Right to Vote
Indigenous peoples were authorized to vote in federal elections without losing their position under the Indian act. This was a step toward recognizing their rights as Canadian citizens.

White Paper Proposal
The federal government proposed a white paper, which aimed to abolish the Indian act and Indigenous status. Indigenous leaders were strongly opposed to this and claimed that it would abolish their unique rights and identity.

Calder Case
The Supreme Court in Canada recognized the Indigenous role in the Calder case, which marks a big turn in Indigenous peoples rights. This decision lead the way for modern treaty conditions.

Constitution Act
The constitutional law that approved and guaranteed the treaty and the rights of the Indigenous created the legal basis that guaranteed the rights of Indigenous people. This was a massive step towards reconciliation.

Last Residential School Closes
In 1996, the final Federally Run Residential School was closed and ended a dark chapter in Canadian history. The legacy of these schools affects Indigenous communities, but their closed treatment was a step toward the treatment.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Establishe
The TRC became known as the recorder for the stories of residential school survivors and promoted healing.

TRC’s 94 Calls to Action
The TRC’s Calls to Action furnished a roadmap for reconciliation, addressing troubles such as training, fitness, and justice for Indigenous peoples. Many of those calls stay ongoing.

National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG)
The National Inquiry into MMIWG released its final report, highlighting systemic violence against Indigenous women and girls and calling for transformative alternatives to deal with this crisis.

Discovery of Unmarked Graves at Residential Schools
The discovery of the unmarked graves at the former residential faculties greatly surprised Canadians and showed the horrifying abuses Indigenous kids had to face in the schools. This need for justice and reconciliation