Module 4 Flashcards
What was the price Canada paid for Rupert’s Land?
£300,000 plus millions of acres of land
What was the population of Red River at the time of the purchase of Rupert’s Land?
12,000 people
Who were the leaders of the Métis Provisional Government?
Louis Riel and James Ross
What position did Louis Riel hold in the Provisional Government?
President
What was the main reason for the formation of the Métis Provisional Government?
To respond to the purchase of Rupert’s Land by Canada
True or False: The Canadian government recognized the land rights of the Métis prior to their negotiations.
False
What did the Provisional Government do to the Canadian Lieutenant Governor?
Refused him entrance into Red River
What was the Canadian Party also known as?
Canada First Party
What significant legislation did the Canadian government pass in 1870?
The Manitoba Act
What were some protections included in the Bill of Rights presented by the Provisional Government?
- Land rights
- Language rights
What did the Manitoba Act guarantee for the Métis?
1.4 million acres of land
Who was Thomas Scott?
A labourer and an Orange man from southern Ontario
What was the outcome for Thomas Scott after his trial?
Executed by firing squad
What was the nickname given to the period of violence against the Métis following Scott’s execution?
Métis Reign of Terror
What did the Métis fear when they heard about incoming soldiers?
That the soldiers would kill Riel
What was Scrip?
Paper certificates allowing exchange for money or land
What was the primary concern for the Métis in the Northwest during the mid-1880s?
Land rights and official recognition of their Aboriginal title
What style of property holdings did the Métis have?
French manner, often in long, narrow rectangular shapes
Who was Gabriel Dumont?
Leader of the South Branch Métis
What did Riel do upon his return to Canada in 1884?
Drafted a petition addressing Métis grievances
What was the outcome of the Battle of Duck Lake?
Métis victory against the North West Mounted Police
What happened during the Battle of Batoche?
Métis were overrun and forced to flee
On what charge was Louis Riel tried?
High Treason
What was Riel’s defense during his trial?
Innocence by reason of insanity (though he fired his lawyers)
What was the verdict of Riel’s trial?
Convicted of High Treason
When was Louis Riel executed?
November 16, 1885
What was the government’s response to the Métis concerns after 1885?
A military campaign instead of negotiation
What were the primary concerns of the Métis in 1885?
Land issues
What role did Louis Riel play in the events of 1885?
He played a key role in the resistance.
How did the Canadian government respond to the resistance in 1885?
They undertook a military campaign instead of negotiating.
What was ‘Scrip’ in the context of the Métis?
Land grants provided to the remaining Métis.
What issues arose from the Scrip allocations for the Métis?
Poorly executed system led to few actual land holdings.
What was the impact of the execution of Riel on the Métis?
Loss of political influence and strength.
What was the fate of many Métis following the events of 1885?
Many fled to the U.S. or changed their names.
What was the Indian Act?
Legislation regulating Indian Affairs in Canada.
When was the Indian Act officially passed?
1876
What did the Indian Act consolidate?
Previous laws concerning Indian people into a single legislation.
What was one of the key features of the Indian Act?
Membership regulations for status Indians.
True or False: The Indian Act is a source of rights.
False
What are the two sources of rights for First Nations?
- Treaties
- Aboriginal rights
What do Status Guidelines in the Indian Act determine?
Who qualifies as a ‘status/legal’ Indian.
What is addressed under Band Governance in the Indian Act?
Elections, structure of Chief and Council.
What taxation guidelines does the Indian Act set out?
No taxes on ‘real’ or personal property on reserves.
What was prohibited by the Indian Act of 1876 regarding alcohol?
Use of alcohol on or off reserve.
What do the land use and surrender sections of the Indian Act deal with?
Terms of surrender, land use, and management of resources.
What was the primary goal of the amendments to the Indian Act?
Assimilation of First Nations into Canadian society.
What does enfranchisement mean in the context of the Indian Act?
Losing Indian status to become a Canadian citizen.
Who was eligible for enfranchisement under Section 86?
- First Nations men over 21
- Unmarried First Nations women over 21
What was a requirement for enfranchisement regarding education?
Demonstrate integrity, morality, and sobriety.
What was one of the reasons for the low enfranchisement numbers before 1900?
The voluntary nature of enfranchisement provisions.
What change occurred in 1917 regarding enfranchisement?
Franchise offered without property requirements for off-reserve individuals.
What happened to First Nations veterans during World War Two regarding enfranchisement?
Many were enfranchised without their knowledge.
What did Duncan Campbell Scott state regarding the goal of enfranchisement?
To absorb all Indians into the body politic.
How did the Indian Act treat women who married non-First Nations men?
They lost their status without the same requirements as men.
What was the effect of amendments to land appropriation in the Indian Act?
Made it easier to purchase or claim Indian lands.
What percentage of prairie First Nations lands were surrendered between 1896-1911?
21 percent
What was one reason for the increase in land surrenders?
Perception that First Nations had more land than needed.
What was the relationship between political suppression and the Indian Act?
Allowed greater government control over First Nations leadership.
Who was Chief Piapot and why was he removed?
A Chief removed for resisting government authority.
What were the main concerns of First Nations during the conflicts at Frog Lake and Poundmaker?
Starvation issues and lack of treaty implementation
The conflicts resulted in victories for First Nations, although the Frog Lake conflict involved Cree warriors and civilians.
What did the 1881 and 1882 amendments to the Indian Act stipulate?
Prohibit or regulate the sale, barter, exchange, or gift of agricultural produce by an Indian or Indian Band
This included grain, root crops, and other produce grown on reserves.
What was required for First Nations people to sell products off-reserve after 1885?
A permit from the Indian Agent
This restriction limited First Nations’ ability to participate in local market economies.
What was the effect of the Indian Act on reserve land ownership?
Reserve land is held in trust by the federal government and cannot be used as collateral for loans
This hinders economic development for First Nations.
What was the Peasant Farming Policy implemented in 1889?
Reduced cultivation area for First Nations farmers to one acre and prohibited the use of labor-saving machinery
This policy was based on beliefs about social evolution.
What cultural practices were outlawed under the Indian Act amendments?
Potlatch and certain elements of the Sundance
The Potlatch was outlawed in 1884, with severe penalties for participation.
What was the purpose of the Pass System introduced in 1885?
To restrict Métis and First Nations to their home communities
It aimed to prevent political organizing and discourage visits to residential schools.
What was the impact of the Indian Act on Indigenous women?
Profound discrimination and oppression
This aspect will be discussed in greater detail in Module 7.
What did the Indian Act amendments strive to achieve by 1927?
Accelerate the assimilation process and control perceived dissent
The last major revisions occurred in 1951.
How did First Nations respond to the Potlatch prohibitions?
They practiced a ‘disjointed’ potlatch
This involved breaking the ceremony into different parts or locations.
What was the result of the Peasant Farming Policy on First Nations agriculture?
Destruction of reserve agriculture after 1897
Historian Sarah Carter argues this was due to the policy rather than a lack of interest in farming.
What did First Nations experience after the Peasant Farming Policy was discontinued?
Increased agricultural production
A study showed significant increases in crop production in Saskatchewan reserves between 1897 and 1915.
What challenges did First Nations face in expanding commercial farming after World War II?
Inability to finance loans due to land not being privately owned
This hindered their participation in the post-war agricultural economy.
What were the consequences of the Pass System for First Nations people?
Arrests for being off-reserve without a pass
The system was used to intimidate and confine First Nations to their reserves.
What was the role of the justice system in colonial control over Indigenous peoples?
It enforced government policies and restrictions on First Nations
This was particularly evident after the events of 1885.
What was the reaction of the NWMP regarding the Pass System in 1904?
They refused to enforce the policy due to questions of its legality
This indicated growing resistance against the Pass System.
What were the major grievances of First Nations leading up to 1885?
Issues related to Treaty negotiations and lack of fulfillment of treaty provisions
This was exacerbated by poverty and starvation after the loss of buffalo.
What were the primary grievances of the Métis leading up to 1885?
Land rights
The Métis had significant concerns regarding their land rights during this period.
What issues did First Nations face during the same period?
Treaty negotiations and lack of fulfilment of treaty provisions
These issues were exacerbated by poverty and starvation after the loss of buffalo.
Which Treaty was negotiated in 1876?
Treaty 6
This treaty was significant in the context of First Nations’ grievances.
Who were the three influential First Nations leaders that refused to take Treaty 6?
Big Bear, Piapot, and Little Pine
They wanted to see how faithfully the government would honour the treaties.
What concerns did Big Bear have regarding the treaty relationship?
Potential restrictions on Cree people and the desire to retain their way of life
Big Bear was adamant about the autonomy of his people.
What led Big Bear and Little Pine to move their bands south?
Scarcity of buffalo herds
They sought to follow the remaining herds.
How did Canadian officials attempt to sway First Nations into signing treaties?
By using food rations as leverage
Only those who signed treaties would receive rations.
What requests did Little Pine and Piapot make as part of their treaty agreements?
Little Pine requested a reserve in the Cypress Hills and Piapot requested a reserve next to Little Pine’s
Ten other bands also requested nearby sites.
What was the impact of the closure of Fort Walsh?
It cut off government assistance in the form of rations
This forced many Cree to move north or sign treaties.
What did First Nations demand regarding treaty provisions after the loss of buffalo?
Fulfillment of agricultural assistance provisions
They sought to ensure that promises made were honored.
What violent confrontations occurred due to starvation and denied rations?
Assaults on farming instructors and break-ins at government storehouses
These events highlighted the desperation of First Nations.
What was the outcome of the Métis victory at Duck Lake?
It emboldened some First Nations, leading to violent actions against local officials
This included demands for supplies and subsequent attacks.
What happened during the ‘siege of Battleford’?
Poundmaker’s band looted stores and homesteads while seeking food rations
This event created panic among settlers and authorities.
What was the government’s response to the resistance of First Nations?
They charged leaders with crimes such as arson, murder, and treason-felony
This included significant figures like Riel, Poundmaker, and Big Bear.
What was unique about the execution of the convicted First Nations leaders?
It was a mass hanging, the only one in Canadian history
This was meant to demonstrate government power over First Nations.
What did the government intend to convey through the mass hangings?
Evidence of government authority over First Nations people
It was a deliberate public spectacle.
What was the fate of Poundmaker and Big Bear after their convictions?
They were incarcerated but released before serving their full sentences
Both died within a year of their release.
What was the purpose of the language and vocational instruction program for the imprisoned leaders?
To impart a message of colonial authority
It was part of a broader strategy to assert control.
What amendment was made to the Indian Act in 1910?
Prohibited First Nations from using band funds for land claims without approval
This aimed to curb protests for Aboriginal rights.
What further restriction was added to the Indian Act in 1927?
Prohibition against soliciting for outside funds for land claims
This made it difficult for First Nations to pursue legal claims.
