Module 3 - Glossary Flashcards
Battle of Seven Oaks
a battle which took place in 1816 between the Métis and members of the Selkirk colony; it was the first time the had flown their flag and as an example of the Métis asserting their political and economic rights in the region, it is often conceptualized as representing the birth of the Métis as the “New Nation.”
Coureurs de bois
These were the men who (mostly poor) who became illegal fur traders in the French fur trade region and were referred to as coureurs de bois. These men headed out to the Great Lakes region and established formal relationships with the First Nations people they lived with. Eventually, the children of these marriages created a large population of mixed-ancestry people who settled into communities of their own; the ethnogenesis of the Métis is connected to these communities.
French-Indian War
this was a lengthy conflict that was also known as the |7-years war”; the success of the British was greatly bolstered by First Nations allies and the conflict ended with the defeat of New France, an outcome that significantly affected the future shape of the geo-political borders of what was to become Canada and the U.S.
Hudson’s Bay Charter
a special Charter, granted by King Charles to the HBC, which granted exclusive proprietary rights over the vast region of Rupert’s Land, including exclusive rights to trade, the ability to make laws and treaties, and the authority to defend the territory.( It is important to remember that this Charter was granted to a corporation and also that the Indigenous inhabitants had not authorized or negotiated such an agreement).
Metis nationalism
Metis peoples identification with their own group as a distinct nation and the willingness to support their rights and interests as a people.
Northwest Company
was formed in 1770s after the fall of New France when independent traders took over in formerly French territory and then finally amalgamated into one company, the NWC, which effectively challenged the monopoly of the HBC until 1821. Many Métis also worked for the NWC, which was an additional source of conflict with the HBC-sponsored governance in the Selkirk Colony.
Numbered Treaties
these are land-acquisition treaties that took place in Western Canada between 1871 and 1921. They are defined as “formal agreements that created a relationship between the Crown and First Nations. As a result, each party has certain expectations, both explicit and implicit.”
Royal Proclamation
issued in 1763 by the King after the British defeat of New France. It created an exclusive agreement between the Crown and First Nations regarding the acquisition of Indian lands and required formal negotiations in a public setting. The Royal Proclamation effectively acknowledged Indian rights to land - this piece of prerogative legislation was incorporated into the Canadian Constitution of 1982. Accordingly, First Nations people assert that any land not taken away by purchase or Treaty is still theirs.
Robinson Treaties
named after Treaty Commissioner William Robinson, these treaties took place in 1849-50, after Ojibway peoples from Great Lakes area took up arms to resist the encroachment of mining companies on their lands. They also set specific prededents for the Numbered treaties, including the setting aside of reserve lands in exchange for remaining lands, the provision of annuities and the provision for ongoing hunting and trapping on unoccupied Crown lands.
Sayer Trial
was the 1849 trial of a Métis man by the name of Pierre-Guillaume Saye, who had been arrested by the HBC and charged illegally trading for furs. Even though the jury found Sayer guilty, they recommended no punishment, an outcome may have been influenced by the attendance of several armed Métis men. For the Métis, the Sayer trial reinforced their political and economic aspirations and it was considered a major victory and an important aspect of Metis nationalism.
Selkirk Colony
a HBC-sponsored colony established by Lord Selkirk in 1811, the Red River area. The development of conflict between colonists and Métis peoples culminated in the Battle of Seven Oaks, which was a major contributing factor to the growth of Métis nationalism.
Two Row Wampum
a symbol of one of the best known of the peace and friendship treaties, which took place in 1600s; it was negotiated between the Haudenosaunee and the British and is recorded on a two-row wampum belt depicting each party travelling the river of live independently of each other. This principle of respect for each other’s way of life was again an important request from First Nations during the post-Confederation Numbered Treaties of later years.
War of 1812
a major conflict between the U.S. and Great Britain, which began in 1812, and after which saw the establishment of long-standing peace in the Americas. Its outcome was greatly bolstered by the involvement of First Nations allies of the British, who played key roles in thwarting American incursion into Canada.
