Treaties and the Indian Act

A formal agreement between two or more parties, often involving land rights and resource management, signed between Indigenous Peoples and the Canadian government.

Agreements signed between Indigenous Peoples and the British government in the 1700s, aimed at securing alliances or neutrality during conflicts.

Eleven agreements signed between the Crown and First Nations in Canada from 1871-1921. They opened land for settlement and provided First Nations with reserves, payments, and hunting/fishing rights.

Land in Canada that has not been officially ceded or given up through treaties.

Treaties guarantee Indigenous Peoples' rights to land, culture and practices like hunting and fishing. They demonstrate the recognition of First Nations as distinct nations.

Treaties outline Canada's obligations towards Indigenous Peoples, ensuring fairness and helping both groups live together peacefully. They guide how land and resources are used.

The Numbered Treaties promised reserves, payments for land use, and continued access to hunting and fishing grounds for Indigenous Peoples.

Treaties are foundational documents in Canadian history, acknowledging Indigenous sovereignty and outlining the relationship between Indigenous Peoples and the Canadian government.

Adopting the dominant group's culture voluntarily.

Enforced cultural change through legal and systemic oppression. It led to loss of culture, family separation, and trauma across generations.

The union of several provinces or states to form a single nation. In 1867, Canada was born as a new nation.

Annual payments made by the government to Indigenous peoples, typically for land or treaty rights.

A document issued by King George III in 1763, acknowledging Indigenous rights and establishing rules for European settlement in North America.

It protected Indigenous land and rights, and aimed to prevent conflict between settlers and Indigenous people.

Tactics used by the government to gain land from Indigenous people through unfair treaties.

Indigenous people faced forced assimilation, loss of culture, family separation, and trauma due to European settlement, treaty making, and residential schools.

A British document that officially protected Indigenous land rights in Canada. It prohibited settlers from taking Indigenous land without purchasing it from the Crown.

Refers to the British monarch. In this context, the Crown represents the British government's authority over land in Canada.

Formal agreements between the Canadian government and Indigenous groups where land rights and other issues were discussed.

Agreements between Indigenous groups and the government that were not accurately explained or understood by Indigenous people.

The specific land Indigenous people agreed to give up to the government in exchange for other benefits, usually through treaties.

The fertile layer of soil on the surface, often preferred for farming.

The difference between verbal agreements and official written documents in treaty negotiations, often leading to misunderstandings.

The process by which Indigenous individuals were granted citizenship rights under Canadian law, often requiring them to abandon their Indigenous status and culture.

The act of compelling Indigenous people to give up their Indigenous status and culture to gain citizenship rights, often done to reduce government spending.

The process of adopting the values, customs, and ways of life of the dominant culture.

Enfranchisement was used to decrease government expenses by removing obligations to Indigenous peoples.

Indigenous peoples had to abandon their culture, language, and community ties to align with settler norms.

Indigenous people could own land and vote in government elections, gaining some rights of Canadian citizens.

Indigenous people who became enfranchised lost their ability to live on reserves and their treaty rights, including government payments, hunting and fishing rights, and legal recognition as Indigenous.

Legal recognition of an individual as Indigenous, which was lost by Indigenous people who became enfranchised.

Rights and benefits guaranteed to Indigenous people by treaties signed with the Canadian government, which were lost upon enfranchisement.

The Royal Proclamation recognized First Nations as independent nations, meaning Britain would deal with them on an equal footing.

The Crown (British government) was obligated to act as a trustee, managing the affairs of First Nations in a diligent way.

First Nations were not involved in creating the Royal Proclamation, leading to a lack of understanding and unfair outcomes.

The government was designated as the intermediary between Indigenous sellers and European settlers. It could only purchase land from Indigenous people and would resell it to settlers.

First Nations did not speak English, creating a barrier to understanding and negotiation in signing the treaty.

It prohibited British settlers from settling on land not already under British control without prior approval from the government.