History of Aboriginal Peoples

in Canada

Aboriginal Peoples

• Archaeological evidence indicates that Aboriginal peoples have lived in Canada for at least 11,000 years

European Settlers

• Viewed aboriginal way of life as inferior to the Euro-Canadian model

• Discrimination practiced

Royal Proclamation, 1763

• Issued by King George III after Britain defeated France (Seven Years’ War)

• Attempt to stabilize relations with aboriginal people

Royal Proclamation, 1763• Recognized

Aboriginal rights:– 1) people

lived as nations on their land

– 2) treaties to be negotiated with crown

• Basis of many modern land claims

1867• No aboriginal

leaders invited to Confederation

• Goal = assimilation

• Force Aboriginal peoples to abandon their traditions & adopt European way of life

• Methods:– 1) reserves– 2) enforced

farming– 3) residential

schools

Indian Act, 1876

• Addressed status, reserves

• Status Indian: an Aboriginal person registered under the Indian Act

• Status = certain rights/benefits

Indian Act - Reserves

• Non-status Indian: An Aboriginal person who is not registered

• Reserve: land set apart for a band’s use

• Main purpose: to free up land for European settlers

Enforced farming

• Farming encouraged, rather than hunting

• Soil unsuitable• Poor

equipment / livestock provided

• Many experienced hunger, difficulty selling crops

Residential Schools

• Education of children responsibility of federal gov’t

• Indian Act = creation of “residential schools”

Residential school, 1894

Residential Schools

• Aboriginal children forced to learn English & adopt Canadian customs

• Encouraged to abandon their identity & traditions

Residential Schools

• “boarding school” concept - removal from families

• Mandatory attendance

• Approx. 150,000 children enrolled

Residential Schools - Issues

• Rampant spread of diseases such as smallpox, tuberculosis

• Poor maintenance

• Conflict between federal gov’t and families

Residential school, Nova Scotia, 1930

Residential Schools - Issues

• Poorly equipped to clothe students, particularly during winter

• Frequent fires, few safety measures

• Inadequate, poor quality food

• Physical labour demanded from students

Residential Schools - Issues

• Teachers poorly trained – could not teach students much beyond completely alien ideologies

Residential Schools - Issues

• Child abuse - sexual abuse, physical punishment, neglect

• Few opportunities to see their families

• Separation from siblings

Residential Schools

• 1951: Aboriginal children allowed to attend public schools

• 1990’s: United Church, several Catholic orders accepted responsibility for harmful practices

• June 11, 2008: official apology

Residential Schools• Many believe

residential schools were responsible for creating social & behavioral problems - Schools under intense scrutiny as allegations of abuse became public

• The last school closed in 1996

Gordon School, Saskatchewan