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Treaties are made across the country
The Canadian government and the Indigenous peoples entered into eleven treaties in the Prairie Provinces, British Columbia, Ontario, Yukon and North-West Territories. These treaties dealt with lands, hunting and fishing rights, reserves and annuity payments. The Indian Act was integrated into these treaties, including the rules for elected chiefs and councils for Indigenous groups who signed the treaties. -
The Indian Act is finalized and made law.
This legislation gave authority to the Canadian government to abolish traditional Aboriginal forms of government with elected chiefs and band councils, and make the Canadian government the ultimate authority. -
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Indian Act Admendments
Amendments to the Indian Act required First Nations children to attend residential schools and made it illegal for First Nations peoples to practice religious ceremonies such as the potlatch. The definition of religious ceremonies did not include dancing; however, Indian Agents allowed the lines to be blurred, and were instructed to use whatever means necessary to discourage dancing at powwows or Sun Dances. In 1914 outlawed dancing off-reserve and in 1925 dancing was outlawed. -
1927 Indian Act Admendment
Amendments to the Act in 1927 made it illegal for Indigenous peoples and communities to hire lawyers or bring about land claims against the government without the government’s consent. -
The Right to Vote
Prime Minister John Diefenbaker made it law that Indigenous people would be given the right to vote in the Federal elections and not lose their Indian status. Previous to this, they had to give up their treaty rights and Indian status. This was still a matter of debate as some Indigenous people did not want to vote, as they did not consider themselves "Canadian". -
White Papers
The Federal government issued a policy statement, the White Paper in which the Indian Act would be repealed and the provinces would be responsible for Indigenous peoples. The intention was to assimilate Aboriginal peoples into Canadian society in the name of “equality”. This was strongly opposed, through their own document, “Citizens Plus” in which they demanded that their treaty rights and inherent Aboriginal rights be respected, and their cultures maintained. The White Paper was rescinded. -
James Bay Agreement
Quebec signs the James Bay Agreement with Cree and Inuit communities, opening the way for new hydro projects. Quebec also created the comprehensive land claims policy to deal with Aboriginal title claims, and participated in the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, the first “modern-day treaty” to be negotiated. For the first time, there is a process to deal with past violations of treaty rights and unlawful taking of reserve lands. -
Constitution Act 1982
Indigenous leaders lobbied for constitutional recognition of Indigenous and treaty rights within the Constitution. It was accomplished in section 35(1) in the Constitution Act, 1982, reading: “The existing aboriginal and treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada are hereby recognized and affirmed.” It defines the Indigenous peoples of Canada, including the “Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples” and their rights. It still determines the political and legal discourse on Indigenous rights. -
Inuvialuit Final Agreement
The Inuvialuit Claims Settlement Act gave the Inuit of the western Arctic control over resources. The Government of Canada and the Inuvialuit signed the Inuvialuit Final Agreement. It was the first land claim agreement signed north of the 60th parallel and only the 2nd in Canada. The Inuvialuit agreed to give up their exclusive use of their ancestral lands in exchange for certain other guaranteed rights. These rights were for land, wildlife management and money. -
The Métis
Changes to the Indian Act extended formal Indian status to the Metis. The Métis are people of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry. People of the Métis Nation, trace their origins to the Red River Valley and the prairies beyond. -
Oka Crisis
The Oka Crisis, or Mohawk Resistance, was a 78-day standoff between Mohawk protesters, police, and army. There was a proposed golf course and condo development on disputed land that included a Mohawk burial ground. Eventually, the army was called in and the protest ended. The land was purchased by the federal government; however, it has not been transferred to the Kanesatake community. -
The Charlottetown Accord
The Charlottetown Accord was negotiated in 1992 to renew the Canadian Constitution. If accepted, the Accord would have provided for clear recognition and implementation of the inherent right of self-government for Indigenous peoples. However, the Accord failed when it was rejected in a referendum held in October, 1992. As a result, Indigenous rights, including the inherent right of self-government, would continue to depend either on court decisions or negotiated agreements. -
Nunavut is established
Nunavut is created in the western Arctic, as the third territory in Canada. This sets lands aside where Inuit can live, hunt and control sub-Arctic resources. -
Prime Minister Harper apologizes
Prime Minister Stephen Harper offered a formal apology on behalf of Canada over residential schools. More than 150,000 First Nations, Metis and Inuit children attended these schools from the 1840s to 1996. His apologizes but leaves out Newfoundland, claiming the schools were set up before it was part of Canada. This makes his apology lack empathy and sincerity. -
Canada signs the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
The declaration recognizes Indigenous Peoples' basic human rights, as well as rights to self-determination, language, equality and land, among others. Canada must now consult with Indigenous Peoples on any laws or administrative measures that affect them as they are the original form of authority over their lands, resources and territories. -
Attawapiskat Housing Crisis
A winter housing crisis in the northern Ontario native community of Attawapiskat focuses national attention on native living conditions. The impoverished living conditions on their reserve became an issue of national debate. The government called for 3rd party management while Indigenous Chief Theresa Spence and community, along with opposition parties, call for the Federal government to do more and allow the community to self-govern with proper financial support. -
Tsilhqot’in Land Dispute
The Tsilhqot’in peoples of B.C. were forced to fight an expensive, decades-long battle with the provincial government over title rights after land they had long hunted was slated to be logged. Their struggle ended in a 2014 victory at the Supreme Court of Canada. This is just one example of a 30 year run of court battles fought by indigenous communities for recognition of pre-existing rights. -
Trudeau makes promises
Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, came to power in 2015, pledging to mend the broken relationship with indigenous peoples across the country, recognizing that “the rights of First Nations in Canada are not an inconvenience but rather a sacred obligation”. -
Truth and Reconciliation Report revealed
Set up in 2008, the goals of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission include documenting and promoting the extent and impact of residential school experiences; providing a safe setting for former students to share their stories; and producing a report to the federal government on the legacy of the residential school system. There are 94 Calls to Action that urge all levels of government, including Indigenous, to work together to repair the harm done and to move forward with reconciliation. -
Trudeau apologizes
Justin Trudeau offered an apology to Innu, Inuit and NunatuKavut people of Newfoundland and Labrador for residential schools. They were left out of the 2008 apology by Stephen Harper because they were not federally run and had been set up before Newfoundland was part of Canada. This had left all the survivors and victims families out of the financial compensation. -
Mssing and Murdered Indigenous Women Commission
Up to 4,000 Indigenous women have been killed or are missing in Canada. After $92 million and 1,200 pages, the commissioners don’t know who is committing the violence against women. Violent victimization rates were more than double those experienced by the non-Aboriginal population, and the rate for women was more than double the rate for Aboriginal men. It is being called a race-based genocide.
