LESSON 5 + 6: NUMBERED TREATIES AND THE INDIAN ACT
Canada wanted to settle the Prairies with European settlers, but the First Nations had already been living there for generations. The government facilitated a series of land treaties to allow it to expand the new Canadian population, but were the treaties fair on both sides?
Differing Perspectives
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FIRST NATIONS' PERSPECTIVE
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SETTLERS' PERSPECTIVE
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TREATIES WITH THE FIRST NATIONS:
What were the effects of the Numbered Treaties on emotional, spiritual, physical and mental well-being?
- recognized the First Nations' rights to live, hunt and fish on individual reserves
- provided annual payments to reserves to compensate the First Nations for the lands they had given up (these amounts, sometimes as little as $3, are still paid annually)
- supply farming implements, seeds, and livestock
- build school on reserves
What were the effects of the Numbered Treaties on emotional, spiritual, physical and mental well-being?
Empathy Activity
Raise your hand if you were born in Canada and you’re a Canadian citizen.
Good. As a Canadian citizen you have a right to live in this country and use the resources. However, things in the country are changing. To remain a Canadian citizen, you’re going to have to agree to the following things. If at any point you stop agreeing with the items laid out, you can put down your hand and decline your citizenship.
To be a citizen, you must:
a) Have both parents born in Canada.
b) Agree to be a ward of the state and forever forfeit your right to vote on any important choices.
c) If you’re a girl, you may never marry a non-Canadian citizen.
d) You will be given certain areas you can live, and you can prevent non-Canadians from living on your lands.
e) But in a few years you will lose your right to prevent non-Canadians from living on your lands, so never mind.
f) At any time, the government can come in and take resources from your home, and you may not receive any profits.
g) You may no longer celebrate any of your old holidays, including birthdays or Christmas.
Do you still have your hand up?
Good. As a Canadian citizen you have a right to live in this country and use the resources. However, things in the country are changing. To remain a Canadian citizen, you’re going to have to agree to the following things. If at any point you stop agreeing with the items laid out, you can put down your hand and decline your citizenship.
To be a citizen, you must:
a) Have both parents born in Canada.
b) Agree to be a ward of the state and forever forfeit your right to vote on any important choices.
c) If you’re a girl, you may never marry a non-Canadian citizen.
d) You will be given certain areas you can live, and you can prevent non-Canadians from living on your lands.
e) But in a few years you will lose your right to prevent non-Canadians from living on your lands, so never mind.
f) At any time, the government can come in and take resources from your home, and you may not receive any profits.
g) You may no longer celebrate any of your old holidays, including birthdays or Christmas.
Do you still have your hand up?
The Indian Act
In 1876, the government passed the Indian Act, which created the idea of Indian Status. This meant that people could identify as First Nations and be included in the things laid out in the Numbered Treaties. However, to claim Indian Status, you must:
The Indian Act still exists today. In 2003, the Supreme Court ruled that Métis people could now claim Indian Status. In 2010 it was once more reviewed by the courts. Many consider this act to be the worst thing the government of Canada did to the First Nations people.
- be a "full-blooded" First Nations person - no Métis or country-born
- agree to be a ward of the state (not allowed to vote or drink alcohol, considered "unable to care for yourself")
- not marry a non-First Nations person if you were a woman
- give up timber and resources, with no repayment, to the federal government
- be tried in the criminal court of Canada - not by the Elders - if you committed a crime
- not have full Canadian citizenship
The Indian Act still exists today. In 2003, the Supreme Court ruled that Métis people could now claim Indian Status. In 2010 it was once more reviewed by the courts. Many consider this act to be the worst thing the government of Canada did to the First Nations people.
History Journal
Click here to complete your history journal. This journal must be completed online, you will be given some class time.
More Resources:
CBC looks at the Indian Act - http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/background-the-indian-act-1.1056988
Toronto Star Editorial - http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/2010/11/18/breaking_free_of_tattered_indian_act.html
The Canadian Encyclopedia - http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/en/article/indian-act/
The Indian Act Revisited Video- http://www.cbc.ca/player/Shows/Shows/Doc+Zone/8th+Fire/8th+Fire+Dispatches/ID/2194091285/
University of British Columbia - http://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/?id=1053
The 2010 Revisions - http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100032501/1100100032506
The Indian Act Document - http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/i-5/page-1.html
Toronto Star Editorial - http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/2010/11/18/breaking_free_of_tattered_indian_act.html
The Canadian Encyclopedia - http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/en/article/indian-act/
The Indian Act Revisited Video- http://www.cbc.ca/player/Shows/Shows/Doc+Zone/8th+Fire/8th+Fire+Dispatches/ID/2194091285/
University of British Columbia - http://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/?id=1053
The 2010 Revisions - http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100032501/1100100032506
The Indian Act Document - http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/i-5/page-1.html
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