2. Why did the Indian Act happen?
A set of government laws at the time were focused on
assimilation of the Indians.
The government wanted to permanently remove Native
cultures from Canada, but the Indians had no intention
of giving up their culture or land.
In 1857, "Civilization of Indian Tribes Act" was put in
place by the British Colonial Government. This stated
that Indians who were "sufficiency advanced education
wise or capable of managing their own affairs" would be
enfranchised.
This allowed Indians to vote and have a similar amount
of freedom as the white society.
3. How did the Indian Act come to be?
It was heavily influenced by the
Royal Proclamation.
The Royal Proclamation: A
document that set out guidelines
for European settlement of
Aboriginal territories in what is
now North America.
The Royal Proclamation was
issued by King George III to
claim British Territory in North
America.
4. When did King George III claim
British Territory in North America?
He claimed this
territory after Britain
had won the
Seven Year War.
5. When did The Indian Act come to be?
The first Indian Act happened in 1876.
The goal was to take all laws regarding
Aboriginals and put it all together into one huge
law. This then began the Indian Act.
The Indian Act then adopted an open vision of
assimilation, where Aboriginals were expected to
leave behind their Indian status and traditional
cultures and become full members of the broader
Canadian civilization.
6. One of the key amendments to the
previous Aboriginal legislation was:
Before The Act aboriginals could apply for
enfranchisement of losing their Indian status and
gaining full citizenship only when meeting certain
criteria.
After the change The Act allowed for the
compulsory enfranchisement of any Aboriginal
who received a university degree or who became
a doctor, lawyer or clergyman, regardless of
whether they wanted to lose their Indian status
and gain full citizenship.
7. A few more key amendments to the
previous Aboriginal legislation were:
In 1885 the prohibition of several traditional Aboriginal ceremonies,
such as potlatches.
-Potlatch: a ceremonial feast held by some Indians of the north-
western coast of North America in which the host gives gifts to tribesmen
and others to display his superior wealth.
In 1905 the power to remove Aboriginal peoples from reserves near
towns with more than 8,000 people.
In 1914 the requirement that western Aboriginals seek official
permission before appearing in Aboriginal “costume” in any public
dance, show, exhibition, stampede or pageant.
In 1927 the prohibition of anyone (Aboriginal or otherwise) from
obtaining funds for Aboriginal legal claims without special licence
from the Superintendent General. This amendment granted the
government control over the ability of Aboriginals to follow
land claims.
8. One of the recent major changes to the
Indian Act was:
The federal government
introducing Bill C-31 in 1982.
This amendment introduced
the Canadian Charter of Rights
and Freedoms.
Section 15 of
the Charter prohibited
discrimination based on certain
characteristics, such as race,
ethnicity, religion, sex, age, or
mental or physical disability.
9. Even though the Indian Act has had some
major improvements to it since it originated,
there is a lot of dispute going on regarding
the aboriginal lands and rights of the
aboriginal people.
10. Citations:
Henderson, William. “Indian Act.” The Canadian Encyclopaedia.
The Canadian Encyclopaedia., N.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2013.
<http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.c
om/articles/indian-act>
“Legislation Concerning Canada's First Peoples.” Canada’s First
Peoples. Goldi Productions Ltd., N.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2013.
<http://firstpeoplesofcanada.com/fp_treaties/john_fp33_i
ndianact.html
Makarenko, Jay. “The Indian Act: Historical Overview.”
Mapleleafweb. N.p., 2 June. 2008. Web. 19 Feb. 2013.
<http://www.mapleleafweb.com/features/the-indian-act-
historical-overview>
11. Citations Cont’d:
“The Indian Act.” Indigenous Foundations. First Nations Study
Program., N.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2013.
<http://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/home/government-
policy/the-indian-act.html#introduction>
“The Indian Act in Plain English.” Dulce et Decorum.N.p., N.d.
Web 19 Feb. 2013.
<http://noraloreto.ca/the-indian-act-in-plain- english/>
“The Royal Proclamation, 1763.” Indigenous Foundations. First
Nations Studies Program., N.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2013.
<http://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/home/governm
ent-policy/royal-proclamation-1763.html>
12. Citations Cont’d:
Indian Act (image):
<http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/pub/boo-bro/abo-
aut/chapter-chapitre-05-eng.asp>
Indian Attire (image):
<http://www.gamesmuseum.uwaterloo.ca/VirtualExhibits/FirstNation/in
dex.html>
King George III (image):
<http://www.nndb.com/people/948/000068744/>
Royal Proclamation (image):
<http://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/ho e/government-
policy/royal-proclamation-1763.html>
