Settler Colonialism Flashcards
Enumerators
People who determined others’ race directly (just by looking at them) and often resulted in racial misclassification of Native people. These were for the decennial censuses
Settler colonialism
A framework that pays attention to structures that link differing cases of racial inequality. It’s amenable to intersectional understanding because colonial projects simultaneously structure identities and statuses between and within colonists and the colonized
The Indian Act
A Canadian federal law that governs all matters regarding to Indian status, their bands, and the system of Indian reserves. Its purpose was to control and assimilate First Nations people into Canadian society
Declared ceremonies, like the Potlatch and Sundance illegal until 1951
Allowed Indian agents to rename First Nations people with European names
The Gradual Civilization Act. What is enfranchisement?
Indigenous peoples had to give up their status to become Canadian citizens, which would allow them to vote. There were gender-based restrictions to status and it regulated alcohol consumption. Key feature of the assimilation policies
Blood quantum
Measuring how much Indigenous blood you have
Western living
Usually meaning to settle, which goes against the Inuit’s people way of life (nomadic)
Eskimo Identification Number System
Kept track of people. Describes region you’re from and who you were. Had to be worn until 1965. Considered dehumanizing and shaming
Dog slaughter
Implemented to force Inuit people to settle because dogs were helpful in hunting and carrying. Approx. 20000 dogs were slaughtered
Banned seal products (The Seal Hunt Ban)
Seals were the main source of income and food for the Inuit people. The average income went from 50k/year to 1k/year and food sharing (tradition) in community became scarce and affected those who couldn’t hunt for themselves
Surplus land
Land that could be easily taken away. If a stranger lived on the land long enough, it could be theirs. It was a system rigged against Indigenous people and lost their land to bureaucracy and corruption
Land allotments
Land that was divided between individuals rather than shared by a community. It made it easier for White people to take it. It was implemented by the US to provide land and economic opportunity, but its ultimate goal was dispossession.
Grafters
People who exploited and swindled Indigenous land owners. Became a respected industry because it transformed Indigenous land to non-indigenous
Restricted land
Land that couldn’t be sold or leased without the approval of the federal government. It protected people with high blood quantum levels (1/2) but not ones with low blood quantum levels
White guardians
People assigned to full-blood indigenous people to control their land. They could do whatever they want with it
Freedman
A person who was freed from slavery. Afterwards, they became a part of the Cherokee tribe
Two-spirit
An umbrella term for non-binary definitions of gender and sexuality from Native American traditions
Residential schools (boarding schools)
When the Indian Act was enacted, it forced status Indian children to attend residential schools for assimilation and integration into Canadian society. They couldn’t practice their culture and were heavily abused
Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement
Funds to support survivors in recovery
Healing and Reconciliation Commission
A part of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement and mandates to inform all Canadians about what happened in residential schools. It documents the truth of what happened to residential school survivors
Classical colonialism
Aim is to take advantage of resources that will benefit the metropole
Settler colonialism aim?
Aim is to acquire land so that colonists can settle permanently and form new communities
Indian
The legal identity of an Indigenous person who’s registered under the Indian Act
Native
A collective term referring to Indians, Metis, and Inuit; has largely been replaced by the term Indigenous
Aboriginal
The collective noun used in the Constitution Act in 1982 and includes the Indian (or First Nation), Inuit, and Metis people
Indigenous
A collective noun for First Nations, Inuit, and Metis; growing in popularity in Canada
Bagot commission. Who mandated it?
Conducted by Sir Robert Bagot. It proposed the separation of children from their parents as the most expedient way to achieve assimilation
The Royal Proclamation. Who mandated it?
King George III legally verified the original occupancy, ownership, and hunting rights of First Nations Peoples
Cultural genocide
The assimilation of Indigenous culture. This was often achieved with laws and policies passed. The purpose was to integrate them into Canadian society
