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Colonization

The document discusses the impacts of colonialism on Indigenous peoples in Canada, including the seizure of their lands, relocation to reservations, and policies of assimilation through the Indian Act. It outlines the stages of colonization, from initial contact through displacement and assimilation, and notes ongoing issues like poor living conditions on reserves according to the United Nations. Questions are also posed about treaties, the role of the RCMP, and the social and economic effects of colonization.

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105 views

Colonization

The document discusses the impacts of colonialism on Indigenous peoples in Canada, including the seizure of their lands, relocation to reservations, and policies of assimilation through the Indian Act. It outlines the stages of colonization, from initial contact through displacement and assimilation, and notes ongoing issues like poor living conditions on reserves according to the United Nations. Questions are also posed about treaties, the role of the RCMP, and the social and economic effects of colonization.

Uploaded by

api-449670301
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Colonialism

Sarah Bowman, Stephanie Croft, Jaden Douville


Outline

Summary of Article

Class Questions about the articles

Questions for groups to circulate through

Closing food for thought


Summary of Article 1

-Prior to colonialism, Canada was home to over 2 million First Nations people

-Colonialism altered the First Nations way of life

-Language used now suggests negative connotations: “Lazy” was used to


describe First Nations who did not hunt for fur

-Relocation of First Nations people from specific areas of land with little
compensation

-1873, RCMP was created to help all people, especially First Nations
-Government denied First Nations from farming for export

“Treaties remain a signature of colonial policies that forced First


Nations into the role of a domestic dependant nation.”

-On reserves, conditions are described as “third world” by the United Nations

-Indian act led to control, not development


Summary of Colonialism and its impacts

● Colonialism can be defined as a policy or set of policies and practices


where a political power from one territory exerts control in a different
territory which results in an unequal power relation. Colonialism thrived
between the 1400’s and the 1800’s as European countries took over
Americas to gain access to resources such as gold, silver, furs and etc.
● Colonizers took a hold of North America and seized Indigenous land for
the extraction of resources. They believed that it was ‘empty’ land and it
was free to be taken and exploited. The Indigenous people were displaced
from their traditional territories and pushed onto reservations with the
signing of treaties.
Doctrine of Discovery

● Was a declaration from the Vatican that was used to justify colonial
nations’ rights to claim land that was ‘discovered’ by their explorers. This
granted Spain the right to conquer any land they had ‘discovered.’
● These documents failed to acknowledge that land had previously been
used by Indigenous people for hunting, fishing, trapping and etc. and that
they had already established their own cultures and languages.
Royal Proclamation

● Indigenous Nations had titles to their lands, sovereignty and self-government.


● Treaties were the only ‘legal’ way for Indigenous people to release their land.
● Typically, Indigenous nations would surrender their land for benefits such as farm equipment,
annual payments, ammunition, etc.
● Colonial settlers and the government wanted to exploit the resources that was on the land and
treaties were a way to access the land and its resources.

During the 1800’s the Military and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police pushed the Indigenous people
off of their land for the production of the railways.
Stages of Colonization in Canada
Stage 1: Separate worlds (up to 1500 AD)

● Indigenous and non-Indigenous societies developed on their own


lands away from one another.
● Each had different cultures and their own forms of social organization

Stage 2: Contact and Cooperation (1500-1870)

● As non-Indigenous population increased they looked for ways to co-


exist. This was typically done with trading and military alliances.
● Mutual tolerance and respect between the two groups
Stage 3: Displacement and Assimilation (1871 to 1969)

● The non-Indigenous population was larger and also more dominant


● They had stopped respecting their Indigenous neighbours and started
to intervene on the Indigenous lives and their land.
● Policies were set up towards Canadian mainstream.

Stage 4: Negotiation and Renewal (1970 to Present)

● There is recognition that assimilation was a failure and they wanted to


change the relationship.
Article Questions
1. With the Royal Proclamation do you think that the treaties were a fair trade
off?
2. If you were First Nations how would you respond to colonization? Would
you just accept the treaties? Or would you go about it a different way?
3. Do you think the RCMP helped the First Nations people as they were
intended to?
4. What was the social, psychological and economic problems that came out
of colonization for First Nations? (Vice versa: how about for non-natives?)
5. ** What were the positives of Colonization?**

*Please note this is a Devil's Advocate question*


Group Questions
Q- 1. From a First Nations perspective, what is colonization?

Q- 2. Knowing what you know now if you could go back and live through the past what would you
change or try to do? Would going back as far as when the Europeans came to Canada do anything to
change history?

Q- 3. How do you feel when you hear that the United Nations describes living situations on
Reservations as “Third World”?

Q -4. From a First Nations perspective, how has colonization impacted their people?

Q- 5. How do you get students to understand how these people felt rather than just teaching students
a story of their hardships?
Closing
Solve the problem:

1. You are a bystander in Lethbridge witnessing ill treatment of aboriginal rights in


relation to land rights. People are using the land to make a profit not giving any
funds to the first nations what do you do?
2. Land where the First Nations live is an economical path for business transportation
but there are dangers with that transport. How do you come to an agreement that
favors both parties?
3. First Nations give some praise to the government for keeping their land so they
could not sell it like what happened in the US. But where do you as a government
representative draw the line of how much you control vs when you let them be
independent?

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