Transcript Aboriginal Nations in Canada

“You Are on Indian Land”
In 1960, when “Status Indians” finally got the right to vote,
most Aboriginal people were suffering through terrible
living conditions:
Poverty
Poor health
Lack of education
Poor housing
Discrimination
Consequences:
The life expectancy of Aboriginal Canadians was
approximately half that of white Canadians!
Even today, the average Aboriginal Canadian is
expected to live 6-8 years less than other Canadians.
How did Aboriginal Canadians respond?
In 1968, Aboriginal people living on reserves formed
the National Indian Brotherhood.
Purpose: To lobby the government on their behalf.
What is lobbying? Pressuring the government to do
something you want.
Result:
Pierre Trudeau’s government made proposals to deal
with Aboriginal issues in the 1969 White Paper:
Government will stop being overly protective of
natives.
Natives will be treated like everyone else.
Special rights of those living on reserves will be
abolished.
Goal of White Paper:
Get natives to move to cities
There they will become part of mainstream society
Eventually they will be ASSIMILATED and their
problems will disappear along with their culture!
How did Aboriginal Nations respond?
Aboriginal people were furious, and saw the White
Paper as an attack on their right to maintain their
unique identity.
The National Indian Brotherhood led the attack on the
White Paper, and instead of assimilation, they
demanded self-government.
The N.I.B. Presented Jean Chretien with their own
paper, called the “Red Paper”.
A surprised Chretien announced he was shelving the
White Paper.
Aboriginal Concerns
Gradually, First Nations began to take some control
in areas that concerned them most:
Education
Band schools
Boarding home program
Residential schools system abandoned
Federal government apologizes and
announces a $350 million healing fund.
The Environment
Concerned that hydroelectric & natural gas
projects endangering hunting, fishing, and
trapping.
Mackenzie Pipeline suspended
James Bay Hydro Project two new
phases halted
The Path to Self-Government
Aboriginal nations fought for legal recognition of
Aboriginal rights.
Aboriginal rights entrenched in the Charter of
Rights and Freedoms.
Bill C-31 – ability to decide who lives on
reserves.
The stage was set for discussions about selfgovernment.
Aboriginal Land Claims:
Specific Claims – treaties signed
Comprehensive Claims – questioning the
ownership of land.
The Oka Confrontation
By the end of the 80’s, many specific claims were
slowly making their way through the courts.
Few Canadians paid much attention, however, until
the summer of 1990, when events in the Quebec town of
Oka make headlines nationwide.
The Oka town council decided to expand a golf
course into sacred Mohawk land.
The Mohawks tried to stop the construction of the golf
course by blockading the land.
Police were called in to remove the blockade.
Oka Crisis full documentary
On July 11, police advanced on the Mohawk lines,
gunfire broke out, and an officer was killed.
Tensions escalated in the stand-off and Quebec
Premier Robert Bourassa called in the Canadian Forces.
In September, members of other bands persuaded the
Mohawks to end the stand-off.
The Significance of the Oka Confrontation ...
Oka was a wake-up call to the government and people
of Canada.
Canada’s First Nations had demonstrated that they
were prepared to fight for their rights!