Module 6 Flashcards
What role did Indigenous Peoples in Canada play during major battles?
Fought on the front line with valour and distinction
Indigenous contributions were significant across the country, especially in the Prairies.
What was the enlistment rate of able-bodied Indian men during WWI?
1 out of every 3 enlisted for service
Approximately 4000 First Nations men volunteered for the Great War.
How many Indigenous peoples are estimated to have enlisted in WWII?
Up to 6000
Indigenous peoples enlisted at higher rates than any other segment of the Canadian population.
What factors may have led to underreporting of Indigenous enlistment figures?
- Métis and non-status Indians generally excluded
- Some hid their ethnicity when enlisting
- Status Indians initially ineligible to apply
- Some enlisted in the U.S. Army instead
What were some reasons Indigenous peoples volunteered for war?
- Sense of patriotism
- Historical connection to the Crown
- Escape from poverty on reserves
- Opportunity for good-paying jobs
Did all First Nations support enlistment during WWII?
No, there were protests against conscription
Some argued against legal obligation to serve based on Treaty agreements.
What transformation did Indigenous soldiers experience on the battlefield?
Many felt a growing identity as ‘Canadian’ soldiers
Battlefield equality redefined relationships among those who served together.
Who was Tommy Prince?
An Ojibwa from Manitoba, Canada’s most decorated Indigenous soldier
Known for exceptional skills and bravery during WWII.
What notable achievement did Tommy Prince accomplish in Italy?
Conducted a reconnaissance mission behind enemy lines
Reported enemy artillery positions and received the Military Medal.
What was Charles Tompkins’ role during the war?
One of the Indigenous Code Talkers
Developed coded communication systems for military intelligence.
What contributions did Indigenous women make during the war?
- Served overseas
- Worked in war factories
- Increased agricultural production on reserves
What was the impact of land appropriation on Indigenous reserves during the wars?
Many lands were appropriated for military purposes, often never returned
The Indian Act amendments facilitated land appropriation.
How did the government administer veterans’ benefits for Indigenous veterans?
Administered by Indian Affairs instead of Veterans Affairs
This led to injustices and control by Indian agents.
What was the Dependents’ Allowance?
A special allowance for soldiers’ families to augment pay
Administered by Indian Affairs, leading to potential mismanagement.
What was the Veterans’ Land Act?
Designed for the rehabilitation of returning war vets
Allowed acquisition of land and equipment, but faced limitations under the Indian Act.
What special provision was made for First Nations veterans in 1942 regarding the VLA?
Eligible First Nations veterans could apply for a possible grant of up to $2300.
What was the process for First Nations veterans applying for the grant instead of regular VLA benefits?
The process was lengthy and often demeaning, with ownership claims on chattels reserved for 10 years.
What were ‘location tickets’ granted to eligible First Nations veterans?
They allowed veterans to obtain private ownership of a certain amount of land taken from their own reserve.
What issue arose from the allotment of individual plots of reserve land to First Nations veterans?
It created significant tension among band members and led some veterans to abandon the land.
Were First Nations veterans allowed access to small business loans available to other veterans?
No, they were denied access to these loans.
What was a significant barrier to information about veterans’ benefits for First Nations and Métis veterans?
Language issues and lack of advocacy through local Legions contributed to the lack of information.
What action did First Nations veterans take in response to inequities in veterans’ benefits?
They began to act on pressures to enfranchise to gain access to veterans’ benefits.
What major legislative change occurred as a result of veterans’ advocacy in 1951?
A major overhaul of the Indian Act.
What organization was formed in the 1990s to address Aboriginal veterans’ grievances?
The National Aboriginal Veterans’ Association (NAVA).
What compensation was awarded to First Nations veterans and their wives in 2002?
$20,000.
What was the estimated compensation amount that First Nations leaders expected compared to what was offered?
Leaders expected compensation between $123,000 and $422,000.
What was Bill C-358 known for?
It was a private member’s Bill aimed at providing a compensation plan for First Nations veterans.
When did the federal government recognize the prejudicial treatment of Métis veterans?
In 2019.
What is the significance of the term ‘citizens plus’ coined in the Hawthorn Report?
It refers to First Nations having the rights of Canadian citizenship in addition to their rights as original occupants.
What was one of the major recommendations of the Hawthorn Report?
The government should end its assimilation policies.
What was the government’s response to the recommendations in the Hawthorn Report?
The government shelved the report and criticized its recommendations.
What was the main purpose of the White Paper introduced in 1969?
To propose a new government Indian policy encouraging full participation of First Nations people.
Fill in the blank: The White Paper was introduced by Prime Minister _______.
Pierre Trudeau.
True or False: Indigenous political activism was mostly dormant before the 1960s.
False.
What significant organization was formed by First Nations in British Columbia in 1916?
The Allied Tribes of British Columbia.
Who was Fred O. Loft?
A Mohawk veteran who spearheaded the League of Indians of Canada.
What does the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) represent?
The interests of status First Nations peoples of Canada.
What is the goal of the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC)?
To promote the well-being of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit women.
What challenges hindered effective political organizing for Indigenous peoples in the early 20th century?
Harsh policies, government scrutiny, lack of funds, travel issues, and varied objectives.
Fill in the blank: The League of Indians of Canada was formed in _______.
1918.
What was John Tootoosis known for?
He was a prominent Cree leader and organizer in Saskatchewan.
What organization did John Tootoosis help form that later became known as the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations?
The North American Indian Brotherhood (NAIB).
What was the major assertion of the White Paper regarding First Nations participation?
First Nations people should be encouraged to participate fully in Canadian society
The White Paper outlined the government’s intention to integrate First Nations into Canadian society.
What legislation did the White Paper propose to replace the Indian Act?
The Indian Lands Act
This act aimed to transfer control over Indian Lands from the government to First Nations.
What financial support was promised to First Nations during the transitional period in the White Paper?
$50 million development fund
This fund was part of the government’s plan to assist First Nations during the transition.
What would happen to the responsibilities of the federal government to First Nations according to the White Paper?
They would end
This included the repeal of the Indian Act, opening reserves to private ownership, and terminating treaties.
What was a major criticism of the Hawthorne Report regarding the analysis of First Nations’ economic development?
It relied on subjective judgments about ‘attitudes’
The report did not define ‘attitudes’ or explore their origins.
According to the Hawthorne Report, what was one supposed reason for the lack of agricultural development among First Nations?
Disinterest of Indians in farming
This conclusion lacked examination of external factors affecting First Nations.
What cultural biases were evident in the Hawthorne Report’s explanation of employment patterns among First Nations people?
Indigenous discomfort with authority
It failed to consider the impact of racism and residential schools.
How did the White Paper reflect the cultural biases of politicians like Jean Chretien?
It was formulated without First Nations input
The government assured consultations but proceeded without meaningful engagement.
What did Jean Chretien claim was the main reason for discrimination against First Nations people?
Legislative and constitutional status
He believed these should be removed to eliminate discrimination.
True or False: The White Paper was universally accepted by First Nations leaders.
False
First Nations leaders vehemently denounced the White Paper.
What was the response of First Nations to the White Paper?
Public demonstrations and the release of the ‘Red Paper’ and ‘Brown Paper’
This marked significant activism among First Nations people.
What was the outcome of the First Nations’ response to the White Paper?
The White Paper was shelved in 1971
This response marked a turning point for Indigenous political recognition.
What significant legal decision occurred shortly after the White Paper was shelved?
The Calder case decision by the Supreme Court
This changed the notion of Aboriginal Rights in Canada.
What did the White Paper propose regarding treaties?
They would be reviewed to see how they could be equitably ended
This proposal was viewed as an attempt to abolish treaty rights.
Who was Harold Cardinal and what was his stance on the White Paper?
A First Nations leader who denounced the White Paper as ‘cultural genocide’
He emphasized the negative implications of the proposed policies.
What was the primary focus of the Hawthorne Report’s recommendations?
Economic development and urbanization
Despite recommending an end to assimilation, it was heavily influenced by prejudicial perspectives.
Fill in the blank: The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) evolved from one of the first national organizations started by _______.
Frank Loft
FSIN is a provincial First Nations political organization in Saskatchewan.
Who was Tommy Prince?
The most decorated Indigenous soldier after WWII
He served with the elite Devil’s Brigade and received multiple military medals.
What was the purpose of the Dependents’ allowance during WWII?
To augment a soldier’s pay for servicemen with wives and children
Indian Affairs administered this allowance in a paternalistic manner.
What was the premise of the White Paper regarding First Nations people?
It was based on culturally inferior characteristics and blamed socio-economic disadvantages on ‘special’ treatment like treaties and the Indian Act.
The White Paper proposed to eliminate the Indian Act and dismantle reserves and treaties.
What were the main proposals of the White Paper?
- Get rid of the Indian Act
- Dismantle reserves
- Do away with treaties
These proposals were met with strong opposition from First Nations.
How did First Nations respond to the White Paper?
They vehemently rejected the idea of abolishing their Aboriginal and treaty rights, gaining public support that led to the White Paper being shelved.
This rejection significantly bolstered Indigenous political strength and influence.
What was the purpose of the Veteran’s Land Act?
It was a rehabilitation program for veterans after WWII to help them adjust to civilian life.
The program included special benefits and loans up to $6000.
What benefits did the Veteran’s Land Act offer to veterans?
- Special benefits
- Loan of up to $6000, with a portion forgivable
These benefits aimed to assist veterans in transitioning to civilian life.
What limitations did the Indian Act impose on First Nations veterans under the Veteran’s Land Act?
It prevented them from acquiring a homestead or holding private property.
As a result, a separate program was created for First Nations veterans.
What paternalistic regulations affected First Nations veterans?
They were subjected to regulations that restricted their ability to hold private property.
This included being offered location tickets to occupy land taken from their reserves.
Fill in the blank: The White Paper was shelved due to strong rejection by First Nations and garnered ________ support.
public
This public support was crucial in the decision to shelve the White Paper.
True or False: The White Paper aimed to strengthen Aboriginal and treaty rights.
False
The White Paper proposed the abolition of these rights.
