Indigenous Studies Exam Notes

Respecting cultural traditions, history, and the wisdom of elders and knowledge keepers.

The importance of learning from the past and present, recognizing the contributions of elders and knowledge holders.

The concept of give and take, acknowledging the interconnectedness of all beings and responsibilities.

A commitment to educating oneself about different perspectives and stories, recognizing the complexities of Indigenous history.

A set of ethical principles and values that guide the Dene people, emphasizing respect, community, and harmony with nature.

The percentage of Indigenous people in Canada who reside on reserves designated for their communities.

The year the Indian Act was passed by the Canadian government, aiming to control and regulate Indigenous affairs.

The year Bill C-31 was implemented in Canada, aiming to address gender inequality within the Indian Act.

A philosophy based on the natural world's cycles and interconnectedness.

A visual representation of balance and harmony between people, plants, animals, and the elements.

Belts made of beads, whelk shells, and purple shells.

A treaty symbol representing shared land and resources.

A set of calls to action for Canada to address the legacy of residential schools.

Creating university and college programs in Indigenous languages.

Increasing the number of Indigenous health professionals.

A tragedy in Grassy Narrows, Ontario, where mercury contamination caused severe health issues.

A traditional offering of tobacco given as a gesture of respect and gratitude to elders, the Creator, and the land.

A 1975 agreement between the Canadian government and the Cree and Inuit nations in Quebec, granting them ownership of 14,000 km² of land and guaranteeing their hunting, trapping, and fishing rights. It also included compensation for the land.

A statement acknowledging the interconnectedness of all Canadians through the Treaties signed between Indigenous peoples and the Crown.

A grassroots Indigenous-led movement that began in Saskatchewan to raise awareness and advocate for Indigenous rights and sovereignty.

A series of teach-ins, rallies, and protests initiated by four Indigenous women in response to proposed legislation that threatened Indigenous rights and land.

A set of 94 recommendations outlining actions required to address the legacy of residential schools and achieve reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is an international document recognizing the rights of Indigenous peoples worldwide.

Canada officially adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in 2016, but didn't start using it until 2021.

The Williams Treaty is an agreement between the governments of Canada and Ontario and seven First Nations communities, signed in 1923. It involved a land transfer deal and agreements on hunting and fishing rights.

The Seal Hunt Ban in 2009 severely impacted Inuit communities, as seals are a vital source of food and income for them.

Food insecurity is a major challenge for many Inuit people due to high transportation costs making food prices in the North very expensive.

Residential schools took away Indigenous practices, traditions, and ceremonies, leading to the loss of language and cultural identity.

The Peace and Friendship Treaties (1725-1779) aimed to establish peaceful relations between Indigenous peoples and European settlers but often resulted in unfair land concessions and the violation of Indigenous rights.

The contamination of water sources in many First Nations communities in Canada is often linked to inadequate water filtration systems. In some cases, the water contains high levels of chemicals, making it unsafe to drink or bathe in without boiling.

Oral storytelling is a crucial part of Indigenous culture, serving as a means of preserving history, teaching values, and passing down cultural knowledge. It is considered a sacred practice.

A set of guidelines that govern the telling of a story in Indigenous cultures. It typically outlines a framework for introductions, acknowledging the source of the story, and respecting the cultural ownership of the narratives.

Indigenous stories are considered the cultural property of a specific nation or individual. It is essential to obtain permission before retelling or sharing them.

In Indigenous cultures, storytelling serves various purposes, including teaching lessons, preserving history, and sharing cultural values. It plays a critical role in passing down knowledge and maintaining cultural identity.

This event involved a dispute between the Mohawk people and the town of Oka, Quebec, over land that was originally granted to Catholic missionaries by France in 1777. The Mohawk community was seeking to reclaim the land, which the town was using for a golf course, but their claim was rejected. The dispute escalated when the town decided to expand the golf course and build luxury condos on the land, leading to a standoff and violent clashes. Ultimately, the government intervened and purchased the land for the Mohawk.

This event involved a dispute between the Stoney Point Ojibwe community in Ontario and the Canadian government over the use of their land as a military training base during World War II. The government promised to return the land after the war but failed to do so. The community continued to fight for the land, leading to a deadly confrontation in 1995 when protestors were shot at by police. The government eventually agreed to return the land and pay compensation to the community.

The Mohawk people's ancestral right to the land in the Oka Crisis, as they believed it was traditionally theirs and had been unjustly taken.

The Stoney Point Ojibwe's claim focused on the government's failure to fulfill its agreement to return the land after World War II. Their original ownership rights and the impact of the land being claimed by the government without proper compensation.

The Oka Crisis cost millions of dollars to address and was the first violent conflict between First Nations and the government in late-20th century Canada. The conflict had a lasting impact on the relationship between the government and First Nations communities.

Though the land was finally returned in 2016, the loss of life at Ipperwash and the government's prolonged inaction caused deep distrust between the community and the government. This further highlighted the need to address historical injustices and treaty violations.

The Oka Crisis and Ipperwash Crisis demonstrate the challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples in Canada in asserting their treaty rights. These events highlighted the importance of addressing historical injustices, respecting treaty agreements, and resolving land claims.

Both the Oka and Ipperwash Crises highlighted the consequences of the Canadian government failing to respect Indigenous treaty rights. They have led to a greater awareness of the need for reconciliation between the government and Indigenous Peoples and the importance of respecting treaty agreements.