Canada’s Aboriginal Population

Chapter 17(Making connections)

An Indian Reserve

• a tract of land set aside under the Indian Act and treaty agreements for the exclusive use of an Indian band

• Band members possess the right to live on reserve lands• band administrative and political structures are

frequently located there• not strictly “owned” by bands but are held in trust for

bands by the Crown (Federal Government)• The Indian Act grants the Minister of Indian Affairs

authority over much of the activity on reserves

Royal Proclamation of 1763

• “Principals” considered for negotiation:– Land-ownership rights of First Nations must be

respected– First Nations should receive fair payment for land

• Useful?– Intention was to respect rights!– Negotiations should be respectful– A fair and honourable settlement should have

been agreed upon

Principals followed?

• “payments” were not always equitable• Promises of fishing and hunting rights to

maintain traditional way of life• Indian Act, 1876 – Aboriginal people had to

give up forever their claim to the land they occupied

• Moved to marginal lands on reserves

Treaties(failure to meet needs)

• Aboriginal peoples lost enormous amounts of the most productive land, esp. south/central Canada– Reserves not rich enough to

• maintain traditional way of life or • create an economic base

– 1 million people for 1% of land– Few natural resources– Forced to leave reserve in search of better standard

of living

Treaties(failure to meet needs)

• Aboriginal people lost their right to govern themselves– Lost right to manage hunting/fishing for traditions

(conflicts with government wildlife policies)– Developments hinder their lifestyle i.e • Construction of dams• Resource development• Urbanization

– Children sent to residential schools for assimilation into Canadian society

Impact on Traditional Lifestyle:Canada’s increased population

• Aboriginal people were displaced from the rich land they survived on for thousands of years and pushed to marginal lands

Impact on Traditional Lifestyle:Move onto reserves

• Marginal lands lack natural resources– Hunting and fishing– Fertile soils

• Lack an economic base which leads to poverty– Social and health problems– Welfare– Migrate to urban centres

Impact on Traditional Lifestyle:Residential schools

• Loss of Aboriginal culture in order to assimilate into Canadian mainstream– Generations today are trapped between cultures

• Emotional and physical abuse lead to mental health issues

Impact on Traditional Lifestyle:Fishing and Hunting

• Federal/provincial laws protect wildlife• Conservation has priority over use of fish for

food, social and ceremonial purposes• Challenges economic opportunity and

traditional rights

Impact on Traditional Lifestyle:Resource development

• Limited negotiation with Aboriginal peoples• Destructive to natural environment and

therefore fishing/hunting lands• Lack equitable access to economic gains