Canada recognizing aboriginals as citizens with rights

People

Pierre Trudeau and aboriginals

Events

White paper: to demolish the Indian Act in favor of giving civil rights to other Canadians and not just aboriginals.

European settlement: had disastrous effects on Aboriginal populations throughout Canada. Many communities had been reduced by as much as 90 per cent due to rampant disease, interruptions, to trade and food routes, war and industrialization.

Ideas

The government of Canada had promised, via treaties and other legal documents, to recognize First Nations’ sovereignty and land title and claims.

People

aboriginals, Canadian government

Events

The Oka crisis and RCAP

Bill C-31

On June 11th 2008, Prime Minister Stephen Harper offered an historic formal apology to former students of residential schools and sought forgiveness for the students suffering as well as for the impact of the schools on Aboriginal culture, heritage and language.

Ideas

In November 1996, the commission published its final report and made 440 recommendations covering a wide range of Aboriginal issues. The Commission proposed a 20-year agenda for change to develop a new relationship between Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal people based on a mutual recognition, respect, sharing and responsibility.

People

Aboriginal children

Events

Indian act and residential schools

Aboriginal soldiers in WW1

Residential schools: aboriginal children lost their Indian status and were forced to learn about Canadian American culture. Indian Act: First Nations lost the right the vote but cultural clothing was legalized but their identity was still in control by the government. First Nations had to live on reserves and had to sign a special document if they wanted to leave for a particular reason. Also created residential schools.

People

Ojibwa nations and The Grand General Indian Council of Ontario and Quebec, Tom Longboat

Events

One of the earliest Aboriginal political associations, the Grand General Indian Council of Ontario and Quebec, was the outcome of missionaries' efforts to establish a council of Ojibwa nations prior to Confederation. In existence from the 1870s until 1938, the council pursued a cautious and conciliatory course in its dealings with federal administrators.

In 1906, the chief of the Capilano Band travelled to England to place a land claims petition before King Edward VII. A new organization, the Allied Indian Tribes of British Columbia, was formed in 1916 in an unsuccessful attempt to force the British Privy Council to make a judicial decision on land claims. Following the government's rejection of the Allied Indian Tribes' land claims in 1927, the organization folded, only to be succeeded in 1931 by the Native Brotherhood of British Columbia.

Aboriginals and non-status aboriginal people and Metis who served in the military still faced institutionalized racism and other barriers when they returned home. Aboriginal soldiers were denied the same benefits as other veterans.

Ideas

The 1930s and 1940s brought an increase in Aboriginal political organization. In 1939, the Indian Association of Alberta formed, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indians formed in 1944, and the North American Indian Brotherhood formed in 1945.