Ch 2 Study Flashcards
(15 cards)
understand what is meant by the “indian problem”
ongiong opposition to Canada’s efforts to see indigenous peoples abandon their historic social, economic, and political ideals and their ideal of a nation-to-nation relationship has been framed as the “indian probelm”
uderstand what is meant by the “canada problem”
those of french and british ancestry remaining loyal to Canada’s european roots to the exclusion of indigneous voices as equal political actors informing its ongiong evolution has been called the “canada problem”
be aware of attempts made to deal with the “indian problem” in the second half of the twentieth century
in 1971 the government withdrew its last formula attemp at assimilation “the statement of the government of canada on indian policy”. self-government policies gradually replaced this constitution of assimilation during the next three decades. Indigenous social, political, and economic principles are now recognized as constituting distinct cultural and political communities grounded by Supreme Court acknowledged rights that have been slowly evolving and expanding since the 1970s. A Euro-Canadian parliamentary report in 1961 asserted that 1 most Canadians considered Indians to be a racial minority 2 the time had come for them to assume responsibility and accept the benefit of full participation as Canadian citizens. Recommendations from Hawthorn 67 and 68 state that: continuing encouragement should be given to the development of Indian local government and the problem of developing Indian local government should not be treated in either/ or terms of the Indian Act or the provincial framework of local government.
recognize that both indignenous and canadian political leaders have a role in attempts to address the “canada problem”
-indigenous leaders want canada to transform into a territory that: 1 respects and doesn’t interfere with indigenous peoples’ ability to live as sovereign nations 2 recognize their inherent rights and jurisdictions as indigenous peoples and 3 lives up to its many historic and contemporary treaty promises. they want canada to recognize indigneous people as nations and to forge a new political community that recognizes this important political goal. indigenous leaders released the red paper in 1970 also called the citizen plus which stated a political vision of the nature of the indian-canada relationship grounded by the belief in special status. the paper “indian government” (1977) sought to solve the “canada problem” by advancing principles of aboriginal self-government that quickly became familiar to publix policy-makers throughout canada
-Canadian political leaders have started to recognize not only the historical indigenous presence in canada, but more significantly that the land Europeans settled on and claimed as thier own had already been occupied by indigenous peoples for thousands of years
recognize what has been accomplished and what still needs to be accomplished in order for Canada to become a post-colonial state in relation to indigenous peoples
terminology shifted from indian and aboriginalto indigenous
what is the “indian problem”
a colonial concept used historically by canadian governments to describe the existence of indigenous peoples as an obstacleto settler colonialism, particularly regarding land use and economic development. this phrase relfects the view that indigenous ways of life were incompatible with European settler expansion and governance, and it justified assimilation policies, including the residential school system
what is the “canada problem”
refers to how indigenous peoples see canada’s legal and political system as a barrier to thier sovereignty and self-determination. it critiques the canadian state’s failure to honour treaty agreements and its ongioing colonial practices that undermine indigneous governance, rights, and access to land. this framing shifts the burden of responsibility form indigenous peoples to the settler state and its failure to engage in just and equitable relationships
what is meant by “colonial legacy” when referring to indigenous peoples?
refers to the long-lasting impacts of colonialism on indigenous peoples in canada. this includes the systemic displacement of indigenous peoples form their lands, the disruption of traditional governance systems, the imposition of policies that aimed to assimilate indigenous peoples (such as residential school system), and the continued socio-ecomonic disparities faced by indigenous communities as a result of colonization
what is the Hawthorn-Tremblay Commission Report? How did it lay the foundation for modern indian policy?
the Hawthorn-Tremblay Commission Report, published in the 1960s, was a comprehensive study on the soical and economic conditions of indigenous peoples being “citizens plus”, meaning that they should have the same rights as other canadian citizens, along with additional rights guaranteed by treaties and indigenous law. this report laid the foundation for modern indigenous policy by suggesting that indigenous peoples should be given more autonomy and greater control over thier affairs
what is the White Paper of 1969 and why is it important?
was a government policy proposed by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and Minister of Indian Affairs Jean Chretien. it sought to abolish the indian act, eliminate indigenous status, and integrate indigenous poeples into canadian society by ending special legal distinctions. the white paper is important because it represented a significant push toawrd assimilation, which provoked strong opposition form Indigenous leaders, leading to the policy being withdrawn
how did the Red Paper of 1970 repsond to the White Paper of 1969?
The Red Paper, also known as “Citizens Plus”, was the Indigenous response to the White Paper. Authored by the National Indian Brotherhood (now the Assembly of First Nations), it rejected the White Paper’s assimilationist agenda and reaffirmed Indigenous rights to land, self-governance, and recognition as distinct nations. The Red Paper emphasized the importance of treaty rights and the need for Canada to honor its legal obligations to Indigenous peoples.
what was the significance of the 1973 Calder decision?
it was a landmark supreme court of canada ruling that acknowledged the existence of aboriginal title to land. although the court was divided and did not directly grant the land claim, it was the first time that aboriginal land rights were legally recognized in canadian law. this decision paved the way for future land claims and negotiations, including the creation of the comprehensive land claim process
what are the important historical markers in the evolution of aboriginal self-government?
1977 James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement: this was one of the first modern treaties that recognized indigenous self-government
1982 Constitution Act: section 35 of this act recognized and affirmed indigenous treaty rights
1996 Royal Commission of Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP): the RCAP advocated for indigenous self-government and laid out a framework for reconciling the relationship between indigenous peoples and the canadian state
1999 Creation of Nunavut: this marked a significant step in indigenous self-governance in canada, creating a territory with a majority inuit population and its own government
Recent Self-Government Agreements: several first nations and metis groups have negotiated self-government agreements that give them authority over education, health care, and land mangement
how could the Guswenteh, or two-row wampum, be used to move self-government forward?
it is a symbolic belt that represents an agreement between indigneous peoples and european settlers. it depicts two parralel lines, representing two distinct nations (indigenous and european) traveling down the river of life together, each in thier own boat and without interference in each other’s way of life. this concept can more self-government forward by emphasizing mutual respect, non-interference, and coexistence as foundational principles in indigenous-settler relations. it serves as a framework for recognizing indigenous soverignty alongside canadian governance
can the truth and reconciliation commission’s recommendations be used as a tool to improve the political relationship between canada and indigeous peoples
addressing historical wrongs: the TRC calls for acknowledging the legacy of residential schools and colonialism, creating a basis for healing and trust-building
implementing UNDRIP: the recommendations include adopting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which affirms indigenous rights to self-determination, governance, and land
stengthening consultation: the TRC empahsizes the need for meaningful consultation and partnership in decision-making processes affecting indigenous communities
cultural revitalization: support for language, culture, and education initiatives outlines in the TRC’s call to action can strengthen indigenous self-government and community resilience
