Indigenous Studies Exam midterm

What relationship does the Indigenous culture have to manage conflict?

Mutual respect between all living things and groups (diplomacy).

What are some reasons for group conflict in indigenous cultures?

protect territorial and national rights, control trade, revenge, religious purposes, personal reasons, role of status

What is the European tactics for conflict

obtain and maintain control over territory, resources and groups.This often involved military force, manipulation, and treaties that favored European interests.

What is the Oka Crisis and what happened?

A 78 day standoff with the Mohawk protestors and the RCMP in 1990. The crisis began over a land dispute involving a golf course expansion on disputed territory, leading to heightened tensions and national attention.

What is Political Organization?

A component of all cultures. required to provide for the need of the group (territory, resources, identity). Decides who it is, who speaks for the group and how power and authority are distributed within the community.

What is Pre-contact Organization?

The social and political structures established by Indigenous groups before European contact, which included systems of governance, trade, and community relationships.

What is INTRAtribal?

focused on managing community or nation affairs, decisions arrived upon through consensus, respect and responsibility maintained between groups and members. It is regulated through Councils (regular gathering of delegates from neighboring nations)

What is INTERtribal?

maintenance of social relations between Indigenous nations)

What is Political Confederacies?

Political alliances formed among Indigenous nations to enhance mutual support, governance, and collective decision-making.

What is Colonial Influences?

Colonial governmental approaches to political and diplomacy towards Indigenous groups began to shift in the early 1800s. Indigenous concerns largely ignored until Confederations in 1867 (followed by treaties).

What is the First Wave of Organization? Explain?

1870 to 1918

Organization began in response to the gradual Enfranchisement Act(1869- chiefs be elected by adult males. This wave saw the emergence of Indigenous advocacy groups and organizations aimed at protecting rights and addressing issues such as land rights and cultural preservation.

When was the Grand General Indian Council of Ontario and Quebec and what was it?

Was established in the First Wave of Organization in 1870. It was with the Ojibwa and Mohawk. They were concerned about the loss of traditional political autonomy. Proposed an alliance but conflicted on organization structures or policy. Ojibwa wanted to petition the government to alter the Gradual Enfranchisement Act, while the Mohawk wanted a repeal

What is the Confederations of Tribes of the Mainland?

happened in 1879. It adopted two main resolutions. Creations of schools that taught english, and medical system was funded through taxation. Sought to make treaty and alliance with the queen. Created a functional local government

What is the Indians Rights Association?

occured in 1990 in British Columbia. Formed in response to unsuccessful petitions to Ottawa and London. Addressed the lack of treaties with the government and the expansion of rail development.

It did not succeed due to the government addressing Indigenous groups as wards instead of soverign entites.

What was the Second Wave Of Organization and what happened?

happened between 1918-1960. Was influenced by defining the land issues and lack of treaties in British Columbia. Trained the next generation of Indigenous leaders through the early organizations and through labour movement. Helped to create Indigenous identity nation wide.

What happened in 1890’s to create political organization to support Indigenous rights?

Fredrick O Loft and the League of Indians in Canada (Mohawk from the six nations reserve. Served as a lieutenant in the Canadian Force). But the government viewed O Loft as a threat. Work of Fredrick Loft led to the creations of regional organization to lobby for Indigenous rights

What was the North American Indian Brotherhood?

was founded in 1944. It was the most effective organization of the period; obtaining recognition from the Canadian Government of a single Indigenous organization with equal powers of the federal government over their own affairs. It offered non-indigenous citizens of Canada the opportunity to cooperate with the NAIB

What was the Third Wave of Organization?

occurred between 1960-1995. It was the period of further expansion and organization. Built upon the limited success of the Special Joint Parliamentary Committee. Prime Minister John Diefenbaker removed the condition that Indigenous individuals had to be enfranchised to vote(1960).

What was the Formation of the National Indian Council

occurred in 1961. established asa national lobby group for First Nations. It was the goal of promotion unity among all Indigenous groups. as groups began to better articulate their demands mess commonalities were found among the groups

What was The White-Paper

occurred in 1969. the goal was to eliminate the discriminatory legislation of the Indian Act. would remove the concept of legal status for Indigenous individuals. allowed them to be “free to develop Indian cultures in an environment of legal, social, and economic eqality with other Canadians”. It was proposed to eliminate Indian Status. It abolished the Indian Act. The federal government took responsibility.

Why were the Indigenous leaders opposed to the White Paper?

viewed it as an attempt to dismantle the relationship between the federal government and Indigenous groups. Proposal was seen as furthering the goals of assimilation and cultural genocide. Spurned Indigenous organization to action. Was withdrawn by government in 1971.

What changes occurred Post White-paper?

major developments occurred. National Indian Brotherhood developments(self-government, is supported by Indian Affairs).

What happened with the Meech Lake Accord?

occurred in 1990. amendment to the constitution that would have strengthen provincial power and declared Quebec a distinct society.

What was the Charlottetown Accord?

occurred in 1992. second attempt to amend the constitutions. Recognized Quebec asa distinct society. Enshrined the right of Indigenous self government into the Constitution

What was the Fourth Wave of Organization?

occurred in 1995 to present. Increased awareness of Indigenous rights and issues.

what was the Nisga’s Land claims Final agreement in the Fourth Wave of Organization?

land claim on territory that was never formally added under treaty. After 25 years of negotiation a final agreement was ratified in 2000. as of 2015-16 land claims have been settled and three-self government agreements signed

What is Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada

established 2008-2015. used to document the history and impacts of the Canadian residential school system on Indigenous students and their families. National centre was established at the University of Manitoba.

What was the Idle No More Movement?

began in 2012. it was established by 3 indigenous and 1 non indigenous woman in response to Treaty rights issues and federal and legislation.

What was the Indian Act?

The government accepted all responsibility for “Indian and land reserved for the Indians” in British North American Act. It was passed in 1867. It was the primary policy document for three major areas. Defines who can qualify for Indian status. was viewed as temporary measure until all Indigenous groups were assimilated.

What were the Impacts of the Indian Act?

opposite to the spirit of the treaties. ending of traditional governance practices. Enfranchisement. Indian Agents. Criminalization of religion. Residential schools.

Define Enfranchisement

process of renouncing your indigenous status and joining settler society. Giving up your indigenous identity and communal society to live off reserve. they would become Citizens of Canada, allowed to vote.

Who are Indian Agents and what did they do?

government officials assigned to oversee the daily operations and governance of status Indians. supervised agricultural activities, distributed farm supplies and food rations, managed band finances, conducted elections, enforced religious and ceremonial bans, forced attendance at residential schools. kept all records (marriages, births, deaths)

What were residential schools?

Canadian government assumed responsibility for Indigenous education. Main role was assimilation. Children were removed from their homes and were changed by name, look, dress, religon, social practices etc.

What was Indigenous Status?

defined under section 6 of the Indian Act. can lose status through voluntary enfranchisement, university degree, entering christian clergy. major impacts for the status of women. women who marry a mom-status man loses her Indigenous status.

What does the Large ‘M’ Metis refer to?

refers to the Metis Nation, which traces its formation back to the fur trade and the Red River Rebellion settlement of Manitoba

What does the small ‘m’ refer to?

refers to individuals who have a mixed cultural ancestry of Indigenous and Settler origin

Define Ethnogensis

Creation of a new cultural identity by a portion of a pre-existing society. traits from both cultures

What were the Metis land conflicts?

With the sale of Ruperts Land, Metis in Manitoba had concerns about losing their property. Land was being divided into quarter sections. negotiations between Canadian government and provisional government led to the Manitoba Act- MAy187

What was the Red River Rebellion?

Louis Riel elected head of the provisional government in January 1870

What was the impact of 1885?

Led to the dispossession of the Metis people. loss of land resulted in individuals living on road allowances between section crown land. loss of economic independence from the collapse of the fur trade. Loss of political influence and organization

What was the constitution Act?

occurred in 1982, section 35. recognizes and affirms treaty rights to Metis people of Canada

What was the Powley Decision?

occurred in 1993. Steve and Roddy Powley, Metis hunter, were charged with killing a moose in Ontario. appealed on the basis on Section 35.

What was the Daniels Decision?

occurred in 2016. supreme court declared that Metis and non-status indigenous individuals are “indians” under subsections 91 of the constitution Act of 1867