Understanding the historical suppression of Indigenous political rights requires a deep dive into the past, examining the policies and actions of mainstream societies, particularly in the context of Canada. This article will explore how Indigenous peoples' rights have been systematically suppressed, focusing on the Canadian context and the experiences of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
The Indian Act of 1876 was a significant piece of legislation that had profound effects on the Indigenous peoples of Canada. It was designed to control and assimilate First Nations peoples, disrupting their systems of governance, restricting access to legal support, and banning the formation of political organizations and cultural practices like potlatches and the Sun Dance. The Act legally deemed First Nations peoples with Indian Status as wards of the state. Until 1951, Status Indians were not considered citizens and, until 1960, did not have the right to vote in federal elections.
The Indian Act also enforced the reserve system, pushing Indigenous peoples onto small tracts of land that were "reserved" for them. These lands were often less desirable and posed significant challenges for agriculture and traditional sustainability such as hunting, trapping, and fishing. The reserve system was part of an overall policy of assimilation that has had lasting impacts on generations of Indigenous people.
With settler colonization came the framing of the "Indian Problem" — the prevailing belief that Indigenous peoples needed to be assimilated into Euro-Canadian culture because their traditional ways were considered "uncivilized" and "immoral." The term "Indian Problem" is attributed to Duncan Campbell Scott of Indian Affairs. In 1918 he said,
"I want to get rid of the Indian problem. I do not think as a matter of fact, that the country ought to continuously protect a class of people who are able to stand alone… Our objective is to continue until there is not a single Indian in Canada that has not been absorbed into the body politic and there is no Indian question, and no Indian Department..."
As part of a nationwide response to solve the "Indian Problem," the government and missionaries used systems of assimilation, such as residential schools and the Indian Act, with widespread public support.
Residential schools were a significant part of the forced assimilation policy. Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and communities and segregated by gender in these schools. Students were subjected to multiple forms of abuse, malnourished, and made vulnerable to diseases as a result of poor nutrition and overcrowding. The last federally funded residential school, the Gordon Residential School in Saskatchewan, closed in 1996.
With colonization came the suppression of Indigenous systems of healing. Amendments to the Indian Act in the late 19th and early 20th centuries criminalized and prohibited Indigenous healing practices. These laws, combined with poor living conditions, poverty, loss of land and declining access to food resources, had devastating and ongoing consequences on the health of Indigenous peoples.
During the 20th century, the government created Indian hospitals to care for First Nations peoples and Inuit. There was widespread fear that Indigenous peoples would spread sickness, namely tuberculosis, to white settlers. Indian hospitals did not provide Indigenous medicines or holistic notions of illness. Instead, they were intended to further assimilate First Nations peoples and Inuit. The history of Indian hospitals was one of a deeply entrenched system of racially segregated care.
Despite the historical suppression of their political rights, Indigenous peoples in Canada have shown remarkable resilience and have continued to fight for their rights. The final reports of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women speak to the history of segregation as well as to the ongoing work of reconciliation.
In the video "Canadians have been breaking their promises to Indigenous people," it is highlighted that the Canadian government has consistently failed to uphold its promises to Indigenous peoples. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding this historical context to fully comprehend the current struggles of Indigenous peoples in Canada.
The historical suppression of Indigenous political rights is a dark chapter in Canada's history, one that continues to have repercussions today. Understanding this history is crucial for reconciliation and for ensuring that such injustices are not repeated. As we move forward, it is essential to respect and uphold the rights of Indigenous peoples, recognizing their unique cultures, histories, and contributions to our society.
The Canadian Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Racial Segregation of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Retrieved from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/racial-segregation-of-indigenous-peoples-in-canada
Saskatchewan Ministry of Education. (1992). Native Studies 20. Retrieved from https://www.edonline.sk.ca/bbcswebdav/library/curricula/English/Social_Studies/Native_Studies_20_1992.pdf
YouTube. (n.d.). Canadians have been breaking their promises to Indigenous people. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUHnKUaDYjs