Responses to Colonialism

Bryan Luu & Ryan Chung

What is Colonialism?

What is Colonialism?

• Exploitation colonialism - Exploitation by a stronger party over a weaker sovereign’s resources.

• Settler colonialism - People moving into another region to make a living, usually farm.

What are examples of Colonialism Around the World?

What are examples of Colonialism Around the World?

• Australia, New Zealand, India, Hong Kong - Colonized by the British

What are examples of Colonialism Around the World?

• Australia, New Zealand, India, Hong Kong - Colonized by the British

• Algeria, Vietnam/Laos/Cambodia(Indochina) - Colonized by French.

What are examples of Colonialism Around the World?

• Australia, New Zealand, India, Hong Kong - Colonized by the British

• Algeria, Vietnam/Laos/Cambodia(Indochina) - Colonized by French.

• Philippines (also by Spain), U.S. Virgin Islands, Hawaii - Colonized by the U.S.

Effects of Colonialism around the World

• India - East India Trading Company adopted mercantilist policies.

• Indochina - Tropical fruit and crops. French border disputes and racial tensions result in wars.

• Australia - Smallpox brought in by whites lead to population decimation

Steps to Colonialism in Canada

Steps to Colonialism in Canada

• Fur Trade among French, British companies and the natives result in temporary settlements.

Steps to Colonialism in Canada

• Fur Trade among French, British companies and the natives result in temporary settlements.

• French and British establish mercantilism as national policies - 15th-17th century. Ideas such as the triangular trade were implemented.

Steps to Colonialism in Canada

• Fur Trade among French, British companies and the natives result in temporary settlements.

• French and British establish mercantilism as national policies - 15th-17th century. Ideas such as the triangular trade were implemented.

• Emphasis on colonies to export goods to motherland.

Steps to Colonialism in Canada

• Fur Trade among French, British companies and the natives result in temporary settlements.

• French and British establish mercantilism as national policies - 15th-17th century. Ideas such as the triangular trade were implemented.

• Emphasis on colonies to export goods to motherland.

Start of Colonialism

• Treaties - negotiated to make the West available for settlement.

• Constitution Act (1867)/ BNA Act - gave government (gov’t) powers over First Nations People(FNP) and their land.

• Indian Act (1876) - attempted to assimilate FNP, took rights away from ‘status Indians’.

• Residential schools were put into use to ‘integrate FNP’.

‘Indian Treaties’

• Formal negotiations between FN and the gov’t.

• Primary focus was to aid colonization and settlement.

• The Aboriginal Title to the land was lost and controlled by the gov’t.

• Also defines who is considered ‘Indian’.

Constitution Act 1867 (BNA)

• Settlers liked the BNA because it created Dominion of Canada.

• Its purpose was to profit settlers, not the FNP.

• As a result, many FN land became under federal gov’t control.

Indian Act (1876)

• Enfranchisement Act (1869) encourages assimilation - women lose status.

• Further outlines ‘Indian Status’ and the rights they have, but they did not have full privileges.

• Gave government power over FN communities, replaced traditional forms of gov’t.

• (1885) Ban on cultural ceremonies, e.g. potlatch and sundance. FNP did not accept, many ignored the ban.

Residential Schools (1886)

• Created to assimilate FN, the schools disallowed FN children from speaking native languages.

• Led to loss of language and culture.

• Child abuse was rampant among many schools.

• As a result FN culture was heavily affected.

Long Term Effects

Long Term Effects

• Disease decimated whole populations of FNP. The majority became white settlers.

Long Term Effects

• Disease decimated whole populations of FNP. The majority became white settlers.

• Change from fur trading to settlement took power away from FN control in trading. In BC, the Klondike rush gave many difficulties because of a violent population influx.

Long Term Effects

• Disease decimated whole populations of FNP. The majority became white settlers.

• Change from fur trading to settlement took power away from FN control in trading. In BC, the Klondike rush gave many difficulties because of a violent population influx.

• Farming by settlers voided FN control over large areas of land.

Long Term Effects

• Disease decimated whole populations of FNP. The majority became white settlers.

• Change from fur trading to settlement took power away from FN control in trading. In BC, the Klondike rush gave many difficulties because of a violent population influx.

• Farming by settlers voided FN control over large areas of land.

• The new economy required FN to become wage labourers.

Early Resistance

Early Resistance

• Most early resistance was peaceful, many FNP were protested about the loss of their rights and the separation of their land.

Early Resistance

• Most early resistance was peaceful, many FNP were protested about the loss of their rights and the separation of their land.

• Red River Rebellion (1869) - Louis Riel and the Métis fought to protect Assiniboia (Manitoba) and recognize it as a province.

Early Resistance

• Most early resistance was peaceful, many FNP were protested about the loss of their rights and the separation of their land.

• Red River Rebellion (1869) - Louis Riel and the Métis fought to protect Assiniboia (Manitoba) and recognize it as a province.

• Northwest Rebellions (1885) - Louis Riel led an unsuccessful revolt against the Dominion of Canada for not protecting their rights.

Early Resistance

• Most early resistance was peaceful, many FNP were protested about the loss of their rights and the separation of their land.

• Red River Rebellion (1869) - Louis Riel and the Métis fought to protect Assiniboia (Manitoba) and recognize it as a province.

• Northwest Rebellions (1885) - Louis Riel led an unsuccessful revolt against the Dominion of Canada for not protecting their rights.

Indian Act Legacy

• Many FNP defied the restrictions of the potlatch ban (1885), and did not desire to ‘enfranchise’ themselves and lose Indian status.

• 1951 Revision:

• Responsibility for FN was in the minister of Indian Affairs.

• Emphasized additional powers to ‘more advanced...’ bands, and kept the gender-biased enfranchisement.

• However, removed bans on cultural practices (potlatches, etc...)

Indian Act cont’

• 1985 - Gov’t Introduced Bill C-31

• Repealed sexist enfranchisement of FN women

• Recent revisions increase band control over reserves.

• Indian Act Optional Modification Act (1996) was heavily opposed by FN, got rejected.

• Public resistance from FN has helped in creating amendments.

When did FN get the right to Vote?

When did FN get the right to Vote?

• 1960 - Prime Minister John Diefenbaker gives FNP the right to vote in federal election.

When did FN get the right to Vote?

• 1960 - Prime Minister John Diefenbaker gives FNP the right to vote in federal election.

• Major milestone for FN resistance

When did FN get the right to Vote?

• 1960 - Prime Minister John Diefenbaker gives FNP the right to vote in federal election.

• Major milestone for FN resistance

• Gave FN more political power.

White Paper (1969)

White Paper (1969)

• Intent was to remove ‘Native Status’

• Repealed the Indian Act

• Attempted to remove federal gov’t responsibility to FN

• Disregarded FN land claims

Red Paper

Red Paper

• Primary FN response to White Paper

• Countered all the ideas in the White Paper

• Many FN across the country protested against the passing of the White Paper

• In 1970, the White Paper was revoked

Red Paper

• Primary FN response to White Paper

• Countered all the ideas in the White Paper

• Many FN across the country protested against the passing of the White Paper

• In 1970, the White Paper was revoked

Health Transfer Policy (1970)

• Mercury poisoning from a chemicals company causes FN in Dryden, ON, to fall ill due to polluted fish.

• FN fisheries were closed by ON gov’t.

• Leads to signing of Health Transfer Policy, which gave FN more control over their health services.

Meech Lake Accord (1990)

Meech Lake Accord (1990)

• Planned to obtain Quebec’s compliance with the Constitution Act (1982)

• FN believed that the Accord should be rejected: it could give gov’t power over FN affairs, and wanted sufficient representation in the Act.

• Elijah Harper, a native MP,

Meech Lake Accord (1990)

• Planned to obtain Quebec’s compliance with the Constitution Act (1982)

• FN believed that the Accord should be rejected: it could give gov’t power over FN affairs, and wanted sufficient representation in the Act.

• Elijah Harper, a native MP,

Constitution Express

• A large group of FN around Canada rallied on a train trip called the Constitution Express, protesting for recognition of Aboriginal rights in the new Constitution Act of 1980.

Modern Responses

Modern Responses

• FN are now in a continuing fight against ‘Neo-Colonialism’.

Modern Responses

• FN are now in a continuing fight against ‘Neo-Colonialism’.

• They are striving to regain rights lost in the past.

Modern Responses

• FN are now in a continuing fight against ‘Neo-Colonialism’.

• They are striving to regain rights lost in the past.

• FN are attempting to ensure rights in new bills, like the Constitution.

Native Organizations

Native Organizations

• The Allied Indian Tribes was created to resist an attempt of extinguishing Aboriginal land title (1912 - 1916).

Native Organizations

• The Allied Indian Tribes was created to resist an attempt of extinguishing Aboriginal land title (1912 - 1916).

• The Native Brotherhood of BC emerged in the 1930s and became crucial to improving FN human rights.

Native Organizations

• The Allied Indian Tribes was created to resist an attempt of extinguishing Aboriginal land title (1912 - 1916).

• The Native Brotherhood of BC emerged in the 1930s and became crucial to improving FN human rights.

• The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) was founded to combat the White Paper in 1969.

Native Organizations

• The Allied Indian Tribes was created to resist an attempt of extinguishing Aboriginal land title (1912 - 1916).

• The Native Brotherhood of BC emerged in the 1930s and became crucial to improving FN human rights.

• The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) was founded to combat the White Paper in 1969.

Nisga’a Final Agreement

• First FN BC treaty since Treaty, effective from 2000.

• Nisga’a finally acquired a treaty.

• The treaty provided government for Nisga’a villages and tribes.

• Secured areas of the Nass river for the Nisga’a.

• Nisga’a government is still in conjunction with provincial and federal laws.

IT’S OVER!!!!!!