Canadian History and Politics: Key Terms and Concepts

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts essential to understanding Canadian history and politics, particularly in relation to Indigenous peoples and the impact of colonialism.

Worldview

A person or group’s overall perspective on life and society, shaped by culture, traditions, and history.

Dialectical Thinking

Looking at issues from multiple sides to find balance or resolution.

Oral Tradition

The practice of passing knowledge, history, and culture through spoken stories rather than written records.

Primary Sources

First-hand accounts of history such as diaries, treaties, and speeches.

Acculturation

Cultural exchange where groups adopt aspects of each other’s culture while maintaining their identity.

Assimilation

Forcing a minority group to abandon its culture and adopt the dominant culture.

Accommodation

Allowing space for cultural differences and adjusting to include them.

Annihilation

The attempt to eliminate a culture or people entirely.

Segregation

Forcing groups to live separately from one another.

Royal Proclamation of 1763

A British law that recognized Indigenous land rights and the foundation of treaty-making.

The Numbered Treaties

A series of 11 treaties (1871–1921) between Canada and Indigenous peoples meant to share land/resources.

Indian Residential Schools

Church-run, government-funded schools (1870s–1996) that aimed to assimilate Indigenous children.

Indian Act (1876)

Federal law that controls Indigenous peoples’ lives regarding status, land, and governance.

Colonialism

Control of land and peoples by another country, specifically European dominance over Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Sixties Scoop

The removal of thousands of Indigenous children from their families and placement into non-Indigenous homes.

Federalism

A political system that divides powers between national and provincial governments.

Constitution of Canada

The highest law in Canada that defines government powers and rights.

Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982)

Part of the Constitution that guarantees fundamental rights such as equality and freedoms.

Notwithstanding Clause

Allows governments to override certain Charter rights temporarily.

Bill C-31 (1985)

Amended the Indian Act to restore status rights to women and children who lost them through discrimination.

Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (1996)

A study that recommended reconciliation and Indigenous self-determination.

Neoconservatism

A political ideology favoring free markets, privatization, and smaller government.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

A military alliance Canada joined in 1949.

Peacekeeping

Canada’s role in sending troops to stabilize conflicts internationally.

Equalization

Federal payments to less wealthy provinces to ensure similar services across Canada.

Canada-US Free Trade Agreement (1989)

Trade deal that eliminated tariffs between Canada and the US.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA, 1994)

Expanded free trade to include Mexico.

Western Alienation

Feeling of political and economic neglect in western provinces, especially Alberta.

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG)

An ongoing crisis highlighting the violence and systemic racism faced by Indigenous women.

Pierre Trudeau

Former Prime Minister of Canada known for his vision of a just society and policies promoting multiculturalism.

Brian Mulroney

Former Prime Minister of Canada who served from 1984 to 1993, recognized for his economic reforms and free trade agreements.

Elijah Harper

A Canadian Indigenous politician and activist known for his pivotal role in the defeat of the Meech Lake Accord, advocating for Indigenous rights and representation.

Jean Chretien

Former Prime Minister of Canada who served from 1993 to 2003, known for his leadership during economic growth and for implementing social policies such as the Canada Health Act.

Murray Sinclair

A Canadian politician, lawyer, and Indigenous rights advocate, he is known for his role as the Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, focusing on the legacy of residential schools in Canada.

Stephen Harper

Former Prime Minister of Canada who served from 2006 to 2015, known for his conservative policies, economic initiatives, and foreign policy decisions.

Reform Party of Canada

A Canadian political party founded in 1987 that aimed to represent western and conservative interests, focusing on fiscal conservatism and government reform.

Who issued residential schools apology?

The Government of Canada, specifically Prime Minister Stephen Harper in 2008.

Quebec Act

An act passed in 1774 by the British Parliament that expanded the territory of Quebec and granted religious freedom to Catholics, significantly affecting the governance of Canada.