INDIGENOUS NATIONALISM

1973 – The CALDER CASE 2000 – NISGA’A Treaty

• Land Claims – aboriginal
recognition of Aboriginal title as a legal right people’s claim to control the
land where they traditionally
based on occupation of traditional territories. The lived
Supreme Court’s ruling was contrary to the 1969 • Primary area of
White Paper and earlier rulings by the British contention between First
Columbia Court. Nations and non-First
Nations people
• Long process
• 800 remain unresolved
• Frustration and concern

Comprehensive https://warriorpublications.wordpress.com/2015/03/12/property-taxation-begins-for-nisgaa/

Land Claims!
TURNING POINTS… The Rise of INDIGENOUS NATIONALISM

1969 – THE PAPER

denied the concept that Indigenous people had
inherent rights, including land title rights, and
attempted to eliminate any special status for Indians.

1970 – THE RED PAPER

Harold Cardinal, a Cree leader of the Indian Association
of Alberta, rejected the White Paper by publishing the
document Citizens Plus, which became known as the Red Paper.
Did you know…
• The government of Canada could expropriate portions of reserves for roads,
railways and other public works, as well as move an entire reserve away from a
municipality if it was deemed expedient.
• Could lease out uncultivated reserve lands to non-First Nations if the new
leaseholder would use it for farming or pasture.
• Prohibited anyone, First Nation or non-First Nation, from soliciting funds for First
Nation legal claims without special license from the Superintendent General. (this
1927 amendment granted the government control over the ability of First Nations
to pursue land claims).
1982 – Assembly of First Nations
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN)
is a political organization
TheNations
Indian(AFN) Act forbade
“The main thrust of the Assembly of
•First has been to press
First representing approximately 900,000
forNations from forming political First Nations citizens in Canada.
the entrenchment of the right of The AFN advocates on behalf of First
organizations.
First Nations self-government in the Nations on issues such as:
Canadian Constitution, and to gain • Treaties
increased governmental and popular • Indigenous rights
acceptance of the existing • land and resources.
constitutional recognition of Aboriginal The AFN's Chiefs assemblies are held
and treaty rights.” at least twice a year, where chiefs
- https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/assembly-of-first- from each First Nation pass
nations
resolutions to direct the
organization’s work.
1990 – OKA CRISIS The Story of Us (28:35- 38:30

https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/kanesatake-pines-gregoire-gollin-1.5204242
2008 – RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS
APOLOGY

2008-2015 – THE TRUTH AND

RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
IDLE NO MORE: 2012 MMIWG INQUIRY: 2016-2019 SELF-GOVERNMENT in
NUNAVUT (18:00 -40:00)
(17:50-28:30)

• Reaction to omnibus bill C-45

• Would have removed a lot of 1st
Nation’s influence

Is Self-Government
Should we the Answer?
re-negotiate the Numbered Treaties?