History

Indian Act

A Canadian federal law that governs matters pertaining to Indian status, bands, and reserves. It authorizes the government to regulate and administer the affairs and day-to-day lives of registered Indians and reserve communities.

Potlatch Law

A law under the Indian Act that banned potlatches, an important ceremony for coastal First Nations in the west, and other ceremonies. It disrupted cultural traditions and marked a form of resistance and adaptation by Aboriginal peoples.

Section 141

An amendment to the Indian Act that outlawed the hiring of lawyers and legal counsel by Indians, preventing Aboriginal peoples from fighting for their rights through the legal system. It presented a significant barrier to Aboriginal political organizing.

1951 amendments

Revisions to the Indian Act after World War II, aimed at moving away from treating Indians as wards of the state and facilitating their becoming contributing citizens of Canada. It removed some oppressive sections but made the Indian Act more similar to its original form.

White Paper

A policy proposed by Prime Minister Trudeau in 1969 to abolish the Indian Act and dismantle the Department of Indian Affairs, aiming for greater equality for Indians. It was rejected by Aboriginal peoples who wanted to maintain a legal distinction as Indian people.

Bill C-31

An amendment to the Indian Act that addressed gender discrimination, allowing Indian women who married non-Indian men to retain their Indian status. It was criticized for its gender bias and exclusion of women from their Aboriginal rights.

Indian Act

Legislation in Canada that governed matters pertaining to status, bands, and reserve land for Indigenous peoples, with the goal of assimilation.

Section 12 (1)(b) of the Indian Act

A provision that states a woman who marries a non-Indian is not entitled to be registered as an Indian.

United Nations Human Rights Committee

A committee that found Canada in breach of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights for violating the rights of Aboriginal women under the Indian Act.

Bill C-31

A bill passed in 1985 that amended the Indian Act, allowing those who had lost their status to regain it, but with limitations on passing it on to future generations.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

An international agreement that protects the rights of minorities to belong to their cultural group, violated by Section 12 of the Indian Act.

Repatriation

The process of bringing back or restoring the Canadian constitution, which occurred in 1982 and coincided with the UN ruling on the Indian Act.

Canadian Human Rights Act

Legislation that initially prohibited First Nations people from filing complaints against the Indian Act as a human rights violation.

Apartheid

The Assembly of First Nations describes the Indian Act as a form of apartheid, referring to its discriminatory nature.

Land Treaties

Agreements signed between the Canadian government and First Nations, aimed at fulfilling land claims obligations, solidifying Canada's claims to lands, and assimilating Indigenous peoples.

Indian Act - 1876

Legislation that placed Indigenous peoples into a subservient role, governed matters related to status, bands, and reserve land, and granted extraordinary powers to the Superintendent General of Indian Affairs.

Treaty Six

The treaty signed between the Canadian government and Indigenous nations in Alberta, which involved the surrender of limited surface rights of land and the protection of hunting and fishing rights.

Land Surrender

The concept of giving up limited surface rights of land, as understood by Indigenous participants in Treaty Six negotiations, in contrast to the outright surrender described in the treaty text.

Linguistic Problem

The potential misunderstanding caused by the translation of the word "land" from English to Cree, which may not have the same precise meaning and could lead to different interpretations of land surrender.

Limited Rights

The belief held by the Alberta Treaty Six elders that only surface rights in the land were given up, specifically for farming purposes, while other resources such as animals, birds, and fish were not surrendered.

Benefits of the Treaties

The specific items and quantities of benefits negotiated under the treaties, including farming assistance, medicine chests, and education, which were important to both the Canadian government and Indigenous nations at the time of the treaty negotiations.

Updating of Treaty Terms

The reinterpretation of treaty provisions in modern terms by Indigenous associations, such as the provision for medicare, economic development, education, and social assistance, to meet the changing conditions and needs of Indigenous communities.

Residential Schools

Boarding schools operated by religious institutions, primarily the Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Church, United Church, and Presbyterian Church, where Indigenous children were isolated from their families, forbidden to practice their culture, and subjected to physical, mental, and sexual abuse.

Assimilation Policies

Government policies implemented in the 20th century to accelerate the assimilation process of Indigenous youth, which aimed to eradicate Indigenous cultural norms and languages and teach discipline and self-sufficiency.

60's Scoop

A period in the 1950s and 1960s when Indigenous children were removed from their families and placed in child protective services, resulting in a significant increase in the proportion of Indigenous children in state care.

Sixties Scoop

The large-scale removal and adoption of Indigenous children from their homes and communities in the 1960s and subsequent placement into predominantly non-Indigenous families in Canada and the United States.

Indigenous children

Children belonging to Indigenous communities in Canada, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.

Child service care

The system of child welfare services that provide care and support for children who have been removed from their homes.

Class action lawsuit

A legal action taken by a group of people with similar claims against a defendant, in this case, the provinces of Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, for their involvement in the Sixties Scoop.

Truth and Reconciliation

A process of acknowledging and addressing the historical injustices and harms inflicted upon Indigenous peoples in Canada, including the Sixties Scoop, through dialogue, healing, and reconciliation.

Settlement

An agreement reached between the federal government and Sixties Scoop survivors, resulting in a monetary compensation of $800 million.

Cultural identity

The sense of belonging and connection to one's cultural heritage, which was often lost or disrupted for adoptees of the Sixties Scoop.

Provincial jurisdiction

The authority and responsibility of the provinces in Canada, specifically in relation to Indigenous child welfare, granted through amendments to the Indian Act in 1951.

Assimilation

The process of forcing or encouraging a group to adopt the culture and practices of another group, in this case, the assimilation of Indigenous cultures and communities into non-Indigenous society.

Overrepresentation

The disproportionate representation of Indigenous children in the child welfare system, as highlighted in the 2015 report where 69% of Indigenous children were in child service care.

Apology

The act of expressing remorse and acknowledging the wrongs committed, as seen in the apologies issued by the Province of Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan for the Sixties Scoop.

Federal government

The governing body at the national level that purchased the land in question but did not establish it as a reserve.

Reserve

A designated area of land set aside for the exclusive use and benefit of an Indigenous community.

Kanyen'kehà:ka (Mohawk)

The Indigenous group that had been pressing for recognition of their right to the land since 1761.

Conquered New France

Refers to the time when Britain took control of the French colony of New France, which included the land in question.

Sulpicians

A Roman Catholic order that had been granted the land by King Louis XV in 1717 and had started selling it to White settlers.

Indian Act

The federal law that governs the rights and status of Indigenous peoples in Canada, which did not cover the land in question.

Aboriginal title

The legal recognition of Indigenous peoples' rights to their ancestral lands.

Land claim

A legal process through which Indigenous communities assert their rights to land and resources.

Cemetery

A burial ground for the deceased.

Mercier Bridge

A bridge that was blockaded by the nearby Kahnawake reserve in support of the Mohawks of Kanesatake during the Oka Crisis.

Kanesatake Resistance

A series of protests and blockades by the Kanyen'kehà:ka (Mohawk) people in Kanesatake, Quebec, in 1990, in response to a proposed golf course expansion on their ancestral land.

SQ

Abbreviation for Sûreté du Québec, the provincial police force in Quebec, Canada.

Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples

A commission established in 1991 by Prime Minister Mulroney to investigate questions about Indian Status and other issues related to Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Indigenous Self-Determination

The inherent right of Indigenous peoples to freely determine their political status, pursue their economic, social, and cultural development, and maintain and strengthen their distinct identities.

Duty to Consult

The legal obligation of governments to consult and accommodate Indigenous peoples when making decisions that may affect their rights or interests.

Idle No More

An Indigenous-led social movement that began in 2012 to protest the Canadian government's dismantling of environmental protection laws and advocate for Indigenous rights and the protection of land, water, and sky.

Bill C-45

A bill introduced by the Conservative government in 2012 that made changes to various acts, including the Indian Act, the Navigable Waters Protection Act, and the Environmental Assessment Act, which Idle No More activists opposed.

Treaty Rights

The rights and obligations agreed upon in treaties between Indigenous peoples and the Canadian government, which include land rights, hunting and fishing rights, and self-government.

Aboriginal Title

The legal recognition and protection of Indigenous peoples' rights to their traditional territories, including the right to use, occupy, and govern the land.

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

A national issue in Canada, referring to the disproportionate number of Indigenous women and girls who have gone missing or been murdered, and the need for a comprehensive inquiry into the issue.

Idle No More

A movement that began as a protest against Bill C-45 and has since grown to encompass broader issues of Indigenous rights and environmental protection.

Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA)

The largest class-action settlement in Canadian history, which recognized the damage inflicted on Indigenous peoples by residential schools and established a multi-billion-dollar fund to help former students in their recovery.

Common Experience Payment (CEP)

A component of the IRSSA that provided $10,000 for the first year of schooling and $3,000 for each subsequent year to former residents of residential schools.

Independent Assessment Process (IAP)

Another component of the IRSSA that allocated funds for resolving claims of sexual abuse and serious physical and psychological abuse through an out-of-court process.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)

A five-year commission established as part of the IRSSA to provide opportunities for individuals, families, and communities to share their experiences and raise public awareness about residential schools.

Compulsory Service

Mandatory military service during wartime, referred to as a "blood tax" by Bourassa.

Quiet Revolution

A period of cultural and political change in Quebec during the 1960s, characterized by a shift away from traditional and conservative values.

Royal Commission of Inquiry on Education

A commission that recommended the reorganization of the education system in Quebec during the Quiet Revolution.

CEGEP system

A system of pre-university and technical colleges established in Quebec during the Quiet Revolution.

Quebec Pension Plan

A social security program implemented during the Quiet Revolution to provide retirement income for Quebec residents.

Hydro-Quebec

A state-owned utility company that was created during the Quiet Revolution and became one of the largest producers of electricity in North America.

Bill 101

A law introduced during the Quiet Revolution to promote the use of French language in Quebec and protect the province's cultural identity.

Official Languages Act

A federal law passed in 1969 to recognize both English and French as the official languages of Canada.

Separatism

The desire of Quebec to break away from the rest of Canada and become an independent nation.

Trudeaumania

The phenomenon of widespread public support and enthusiasm for Pierre Trudeau, who became the Prime Minister of Canada in 1968.

Pierre Trudeau

Elected in 1968, he was a new kind of political figure for Canadians - not as formal, serious or stodgy as previous prime ministers.

Trudeaumania

The intense admiration and popularity of Pierre Trudeau, particularly among young people who saw him as a rock star-like figure.

Just Society

The fundamental principle of Trudeau's government, aiming to create a unified, progressive, and fair society where all Canadians feel that they matter and belong.

Bilingualism

Trudeau promoted the idea of bilingualism to persuade French-speaking communities outside of Quebec that their future lay with Canada.

Multiculturalism

Trudeau introduced the official policy of multiculturalism to support and encourage the subcultures and ethnic groups that give structure and vitality to Canadian society.

FLQ

A separatist paramilitary group active in Quebec from 1963-1970, known for launching terror campaigns and attacks on symbols of English-Canadian power.

War Measures Act

Imposed by Trudeau during the October Crisis, this legislation allowed for the arrest and detainment of individuals without charge and restricted civil rights in order to combat FLQ terrorism.

October Crisis

A series of events in 1970, including the kidnapping of British diplomat James Cross and Quebec Minister of Labour Pierre Laporte, which led to Trudeau imposing the War Measures Act.

Meech Lake Accord

An attempt at constitutional change in 1987 to persuade Quebec to endorse the 1982 constitutional amendment and increase support for remaining within Canada.

Charlottetown Accord

Another attempt at constitutional change in 1992, which sought to establish clear divisions between federal and provincial government jurisdictions and recognize Quebec as a "distinct society."

Jean Lesage

Premier of Quebec from 1960-1966, known for his modernization and secularization policies, as well as demanding and asserting Quebec's independence from the Federal government.

FLQ Timeline

A timeline of significant events related to the activities of the Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) from 1963-1970, including bombings and attacks.

FLQ Manifesto

The manifesto released by the Front de liberation du Québec (FLQ) outlining their goals and motivations for independence.

War Measures Act

A law that went into effect on October 16, 1970, temporarily suspending civil liberties in Quebec and allowing for arrests and searches without warrant.

James Richard Cross

The British trade commissioner in Montreal who was kidnapped by the FLQ Liberation Cell on October 5, 1970.

Pierre Laporte

The Quebec labor minister who was kidnapped by members of the FLQ's Chénier cell on October 10, 1970, and later found dead on October 17, 1970.

John Turner

The Justice Minister who released a report on February 3, 1971, stating that 497 people were arrested under the War Measures Act, with 435 released, 62 charged, and 32 detained without bail.

Quebec Nationalism

The ideology championed by René Lévesque, promoting the independence and self-determination of Quebec from Canada.

Quiet Revolution

A period of rapid social and political change in Quebec during the 1960s, characterized by secularization, modernization, and increased nationalism.

Separatism

The political movement advocating for the separation of Quebec from Canada and the establishment of an independent Quebec.

Laurentien

A term used by Lévesque to describe his practical form of Quebec nationalism, focused on abolishing privileges and promoting the capabilities of French-speaking Quebecers.

Associate State

A proposed status for Quebec within Canada, which would involve negotiating a new relationship with the rest of the country.

Fraternal enemy

Refers to the relationship between Lévesque and Trudeau, who were once allies but became opponents due to their differing visions for Quebec's future.

Quiet Revolution

Refers to the period of significant social and political change in Quebec during the 1960s, characterized by a larger role for the state, modernization, and democratization.

Nationalization of private electrical companies

Refers to the disagreement between Lévesque and Trudeau on the nationalization of private electrical companies, which highlighted their conflicting views.

Sovereign Quebec within a Canadian economic union

Refers to Lévesque's resolution and vision for Quebec to become a sovereign state while maintaining economic ties with Canada.

PQ (Parti Québécois)

Refers to the political party founded by Lévesque, which introduced a democratic and less chauvinistic definition of Quebec nationalism.

Bill 101

Refers to the French Language Laws in Quebec, which made French the only official language, restricted the use of English, and protected the educational rights of the minority.

Official bilingualism

Refers to Trudeau's implementation of policies that recognized the importance of French and ensured equal access to federal services in both English and French.