Indigenous Perspectives on Canadian History
Historical Perspectives and Recording
Who Records History?
Traditionally: "winners," those in power, governments, media.
Modern changes: globalization, social media, photography, average people contribute.
Western vs. Indigenous History
Western: historical documents, maps, pictographs, oral testimony, art, legal documentation.
Indigenous: Oral history is primary for teachings, histories, knowledge, and stories.
First Contact and Eurocentric Views
Initial Engagement
European settlers and Indigenous peoples formed relationships, leading to treaties.
Treaties were agreements between sovereign Nations, often for shared land from an Indigenous perspective.
Initially reciprocal, but settler growth increased demand for land.
Population Impact
Estimated over million Indigenous peoples in Canada before significant contact.
Violence, diseases, and starvation caused death in up to of the population.
Indigenous hospitality was misinterpreted as subservience by Europeans, reinforcing superiority beliefs.
"New World" Narrative
History taught in schools traditionally Eurocentric.
"Age of Discovery" (1420s-1620s) viewed as a heroic period of explorers "discovering" lands/peoples.
Explorers like Columbus, Cabot, Cartier portrayed heroically; era focused on colonization and implanting "civilization."
Disease and Demise
Increased European presence led to disease exposure.
Major epidemics: smallpox (1524-1529, 1590s), measles (1531).
Estimated million deaths in North and South America.
Susceptibility to European diseases significantly declined Indigenous populations until the 1920s; population dropped to by late 19th century in North America.
Pivotal Legislation and Policies
The Royal Proclamation, 1763
Issued by King George III following the French & Indian War.
Aimed to resolve distrust and conflict between Indigenous peoples and British settlers.
Prohibited settler expansion past the Appalachias.
Mandated all negotiations with Indigenous peoples go through the Crown.
Recognized Indigenous peoples as sovereign nations with protected rights.
Served as a guide for all treaty making and was passed into Canadian law.
Indian Act (1876-Present)
Legislation controlling nearly all aspects of First Nations life, a race-based policy.
Did not consider Indigenous community complexities or kinship networks.
Three main principles: "civilize the Indian," manage people/lands, define "Indian" status.
Paternalistic; primary goal was assimilation.
Defined "Indians" as First Nations (excluded Métis, Inuit removed in 1951).
Governs status, land, membership, treaties, schooling, marriage, and loss of status.
Prohibited: hiring lawyers, ceremonies (potlatch, sundance), leaving reserves without permission, forming political organizations, sale of alcohol to Indigenous peoples, wearing regalia.
Mandated Residential Schools.
Imposed band council structure.
Denied federal voting rights until 1960.
These policies, in effect for years, impacted generations.
Reserve Systems
Began in 1830 as an imperial policy of "civilization."
Forced Indigenous peoples onto designated lands, separate from Canadian society, to adopt Canadian farming practices.
Purpose: end Indigenous ways of life; met with resistance.
Indigenous Contributions and Modern Relevance
WWI & WWII
Thousands of Indigenous peoples served but faced continued discrimination upon return.
Many were "enfranchised," losing Indian status and related community rights.
Did not receive same benefits as other Canadian soldiers (e.g., land).
Why History Matters Today
Visibility and representation are vital for people to see themselves and their worldviews reflected.
History informs the future; it's often written by dominant groups, reflecting their perspective.
It is a shared history, demanding understanding for effective relationship-building.
National Indigenous History Month
Celebrated annually in June to recognize historical and current contributions and the strength of Indigenous communities.
National Indigenous Peoples Day is June 21st.