1492

Columbus Arrives: the first encounters set the stage for events that followed…

1600’s – 1800’s

Small Pox Epidemic: Wiped out large amount of Aboriginal population; they were not immune to these illnesses the white man brought from Europe.

1857

Gradual Civilization Act: It was legislation that provided an avenue to which the government could gain more control over the rights of Indians.

1863

St. Mary’s Mission School Opens: One of the first schools to be used in the future as a Residential School.

1869

Gradual Enfranchisement Act: To teach ‘natives’ English and attempt to eliminate their culture.

1876

Indian Act: “Federal legislation designed to give effect to the legislative authority of Canada for Indians and Lands reserved for Indians” (BC First Nations Health Handbook); Act involved issues related to who could vote, reserves, landownership, band elections, and status; It discriminated against women, lost the right to vote, lost Indian status if married to non-Indian.

1884

Traditional Ceremonies Outlawed including potlatches, sun dance, and grass dance.

1892

Federal Government and Churches Enter Formal Agreement to Run System: Grants from the government were set up for the Churches to run the residential or industrial schools.

1894

Amendment to Indian Act: Allowing the government to commit children to boarding and industrial schools.

1915

WWI: Recruiting Drives on Reserves: 35% of all Eligible Joined. Those who remained overseas for extended period of time lost their rights to land.

1918

Amendment to Indian Act: Government leases out vacant land to non-natives.

1931

Eighty Residential Schools are in operation across Canada.

1942

WWII: 25,000 in Armed Forces; 25,000 by End of War; 40,000 Move to Cities for War Related work.

1951

New Indian Act: Protests Land and Retains Indian Status through Male Lineage Sun Dances and Potlatches (No Longer Prohibited); Protecting Indian lands and property, providing a form of local government (band), right to vote in band elections.

1960

Given the right to vote in federal elections.

1969

Federal Government Takes Direct Control Of Residential Schools; “The White Paper” – it was proposed to terminate special relationship between the crown and Aboriginal peoples, federal responsibility became provincial.

1982

Constitutional Act: defines Métis as Aboriginal People (Section 35).


1984

Last Residential School on BC Closes.

1985

Bill C-31 – to reinstate status of Aboriginal women and to first generation children only (future generations would remain non status); First Nations able to decide who members of the band where, status can only be restored to first generations.

1987

Meech Lake Accord: The patriation of the Constitution in 1982 was done without Quebec’s consent; government attempted to persuade Quebec to sign Constitution.

1990

OKA Crisis: It was a showdown between Native people, Quebec police and eventually the Canadian army. The municipality wanted to expand a 9 hole golf course to a 18 hole. The First Nations people protested this expansion as they claimed it was going to be built on native lands over top of traditional burial grounds. It went on for several days and the Native People of OKA won their right to land.

1996

Royal Commission on Aboriginal People: It was a major government inquiry into an issue surrounding Aboriginal self-government and legal status.

1997

The Delgamu’ukw Decision: Influential court case involving Aboriginal land claims.

1998

Residential School Healing Fund: First public apology by the federal government for abuse and assimilation in Residential Schools.

2000

Olympic Games: First indigenous women to light the torch.

 References

Fleischer, J. (N.D.). BC First Nations Health Handbook. British Columbia: Unpublished Manuscript.

Heritage Community Foundation. (2002). Residential Schools: The Legacy. Retrieved February 11, 2006, from http://www.albertasource.ca/treaty8/eng/1899_and_After/Implications_and_Contentions/residential_schools_legacy.html

Smith, M. G. (2006). First Nations Resiliency Workshop. Handout.

Statistics Canada. (2006). Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada. Retrieved February 11, 2006, from http://www.irsr-rqpi.gc.ca/english/statistics.html#top

Website Created by Melissa Manchester and Wendi MacKinnon, April 2006