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The creation of the Indian Department
As a means of countering French–Indigenous ties, the British administration created its first Indian Department in the colony during the Seven Years War. Both the northern and southern branches of the department reported to the British military commander. Further information -
The Royal Proclamation
A document that set out guidelines for European settlement of Aboriginal territories in what is now North America. It was initially issued by King George III in 1763 to officially claim British territory in North America after Britain won the Seven Years War. Further information -
The Treaty of Niagara
In July and August 1764, Sir William Johnson and 2,000 persons representing approximately 24 First Nations convened at Niagara to negotiate an "alliance with the English." The discussion included one of the first land cessions under the Royal Proclamation’s protocols, a return of prisoners, and an accepted British presence in the Great Lakes area. The resulting treaty was recorded in wampum. Further information -
Gradual Civilization Act
In 1857, the fifth Parliament of the Province of Canada (Upper Canada and Lower Canada) passed an "Act to Encourage the Gradual Civilization of the Indian Tribes in the Province," or the Gradual Civilization Act as it came to be known. It was part of a state effort to use government policy to assimilate Indigenous peoples to the economic and social customs of European settler society. Further information -
The Constitution Act
In 1867, only "Status" First Nations were acknowledged as being under federal jurisdiction. The Consitution Act assigned responsibility for the First Nations, or "Indians," as they were originally known, to the federal government. Indians who had been "enfranchised" lost their status and became "citizens" like Euro-Canadians, as well as their Indigenous rights, and became non-status Indians. Further information -
Gradual Enfranchisement Act
An act of the 1st Canadian Parliament of the Parliament of Canada. A number of policies and regulations for the supervision of Indigenous peoples in Canada was introduced, including the creation of elected band councils. It modified the 1857 Gradual Civilaziation Act, and was itself supplanted in 1867 by the Indian Act. Further information -
The Indian Act
A Canadian federal law that administers Indian status, local First Nations governments and the management of reserve land. It outlines the government's obligations to First Nations peoples. It incorporated a variety of colonial legislation aimed at eradicating First Nations culture in favour of assimilation into Euro-Canadian society. Further information -
Mandatory Residential Schooling
An extensive school system established by the Canadian government and administered by churches with the goal of indoctrinating them into Euro-Canadian and Christian ways of life and assimilating them into mainstream white Canadian society. Under the Indian Act, attendence in residential schools became mandatory for every Indigenous child. Further information -
Amendments to The Indian Act
The bans on dances, ceremonies, and legal claims are abolished. In band council electrons, women are now able to vote. Compulsory enfranchisement through marriage to a non-status man is still in existence. The "double mother rule" is in effect, which removes the status of a person whose mother and grandmother were granted status through marriage. Further information
