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1497
John Cabot claims Newfoundland for Britain
In 1497 John Cabot set out on his most successful voyage. He coasted the shores and spotted the Beothuk or Innu people. He noted that the waters were teemed with cod. John Cabot and his crew of men were the second group of Europeans to reach what later became Canada. -
1535
Jacques Cartier claims the St. Lawrence region for France
1535 was Cartier's second voyage. It included 110 people and took 50 days to arrive. He traveled up the St. Lawrence river to what is now the city of Quebec. They continues to sail until they reached the city of Montreal. He met other Iroquois who tanalized him. Their relations with the Aboriginals had deteriorated but they helped the French survive scurvy. During spring Cartier and his crew returned to Europe with a dozen Stadaconiens hostages. -
Samuel de Champlain founded new France
Samuel de Champlain began his explorations as part of a Spanish expedition. He was given responsible for searching and investigating the coast for an ideal settlement location. Dugua chose the St. Lawrence over Acadia and sent Champlain to establish a settlement in Quebec where fur trade and native people could be controlled easily. -
Britain grants a charter to the Hudson's Bay Company
The charter was granted by King Charles II. It gave an exclusive trading monopoly. It includes their rights to exploit mineral resources and obligations to search for the Northwest Passage. This charter also stated the framework for the Company's governance. The King stated that the Company's territory shall be named Rupert's Land in honour of his cousin Prince Rupert. -
Seven Years War
This war was the first global war to be fought in India, America, Europe as well as at sea. In North America both France and Britain with struggling for supremacy. This led to the French defeating multiple attacks from the British early in the war. In 2 years Britain captured Louisbourg, Quebec city and Montreal. France ceded Canada to the British. This war laid the bicultural foundations of modern Canada. -
The Royal Proclamation
The proclamation was created by King George III in hopes to establish a basis of government in North America. It established the framework for the negotiation of treaties with Aboriginal inhabitants. The treaty contributed to the outbreak of the American Revolution. It angered the inhabitants of the Thirteen Colonies who wanted a western expansion. -
British Immigration to Canada
A large portion of Canada's population was English-born due to the British immigrants. It impacted and changed the identity of Canada. Population was growing. People were in search for a better life in hopes that Canada could provide. -
Confederation of Canada
On July 1 1867 confederation of Canada was official. It was created by a series of negotiations and conferences of British North America colonies of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and the Province of Canada. It was the first step in steady nation-building exercise that would eventually attract other territories. This day has come to be known as Canada day, a day in which Canadians celebrate confederation of Canada. -
Red River Rebellion
The Red River Rebellion (aka. Red River Resistance) was triggered by the transfer of vast territory of Rupert's Land to the new nation of Canada. Many people feared for their culture and land rights. The metis created a rebellion and declared a provisional government to negotiate terms for entering Confederation. This led to the province of Manitoba being created. -
Signing of the Numbered Treaties
This was a series of 11 treaties made between the Canadian government and Indigenous people in 50 years. It covered the area between northern Ontario/southern Manitoba to northeastern British Columbia/interior Plains of Alberta to north of Yukon/Northwest Territories. The treaties provided the Canadian government with land for development in exchange for promises for Indigenous people. Even today the Numbered Treaties have legal and socioeconomic impacts on Indigenous communities. -
The Indian Act
The Indian Act was first introduced as a merger of previous colonial ordinances that wanted to eliminate First Nation culture. This act pertains only to First Nations, not Inuit or Metis. It is an evolving document that has implemented trauma, human rights violations and social/cultural disruptions. It outlines government obligations as well. -
Native Residential Schools Open in Canada
Residential schools were government sponsored religious schools in order to assimilate Indigenous children into into Euro-Canadian culture. These schools disrupted lives and communities. They caused Indigenous people long-term problems. Early on in Canada the First Nations were greatly autonomous and Europeans depended on them which led to the colonial administration to be unable to urge Indigenous children to participate. -
Northwest Rebellion
The Northwest Rebellion was a 5 month violent revolution against the Canadian government fought by the Metis in Saskatchewan and Alberta. It was caused by the rising fear and insecurity of the Metis and Aboriginals. Hundreds of people died due to the battles and outbreaks of violence. The rebels were eventually defeated by the federal troops. This resulted in permanent enforcement of Canadian law in the west, enslavement of Metis and Plains tribe, as well as conviction and hanging of Louis Riel. -
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples
The Royal Commissions on Aboriginal Peoples was established in the wake of the Oka Crisis. The Commission's report was the product of extensive research, it was a survey of relations between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in Canada. It made several recommendations and is significant for the depth and scope of the research. The document remains crucially important in the study of Aboriginal peoples in Canada. -
The Last Native Residential School Closes
In the 1940s the government finally realized that the schools were ineffective due to kids stealing, running away, or even burning down their schools. Parents and political leaders protested the schools harsh conditions. Indigenous protests helped secure a change in policy. In 1969 church involvement was eliminated. Many schools resisted being shut down but eventually most schools were closed. Only 10 years later the very Gordon Residential School in Punnichy finally closed down. -
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission Established
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established as part of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement. It was intended to guide Canadians through the difficult discovery of what residential schools were actually like. It was also meant to lay the foundation for lasting reconciliation throughout Canada. The TRC was pushing towards just and equitable future for Indigenous peoples. It was understood to be one of the largest settlement packages in the history of the country.
