BIG IDEA

First Nations and Europeans/Colonists

By Alexander Eckley

Positive interactions with first nations and Europeans

An Alliance with the Wendat
nations pg. 23) (Crossroads a meeting of

Samuel De Champlain was a French explorer and navigator that found New France, now known as Qubec City. Early on he realized that the fur trade could be very lucrative, and an alliance with the Wendat people would mean that Champlain could have ready access to an extensive fur trade. In order to gain their trust he was willing to fight their enemies, the Haudenosaunee. At the same time Champlain became partner in a Canadian trade company. Because, of his support for the Wendat peoples they sold most of there beaver furs to the French. Beaver fur hats were popular throughout Europe and therefore, very profitable. Samuel De Champlain was very important to Canadian history because he was an instrumental part of mapping out the coastline of the Great Lakes. Not only did he explore vast areas of and around the Great Lakes, he sent out courerus de bois to help explore other areas of the region. With the help of the Wendat, First Nations people, they were able to explore deep within the Great Lakes region. Many of the men who set out exploring, lived with the First Nations and their communities, married women there, raised families and continued to trade furs.

Negative Interactions with First Nations and Europeans

Trouble Begins
nations pg 24) (crossroads a meeting of

The Qubec colony struggled to thrive. Champlain and his partners, spent very little on the growth of Qubec, and failed to expand as a colony. Trading also became risky when religious missionaries, sent by Champlain, forced the Algonquin and the Wendat to convert to Christianity. The missionaries put pressure on the First Nations to change everything about their culture. Later when the English attacked the Quebec colony in 1629, the French asked for help from the first nations, but the Algonquins refused to help Champlain and the French. Therefore, Champlain had to surrender, and was taken prisoner by the English. The habitation was destroyed, but Champlains colony lasted anyway. A powerful French company called, the Company of One Hundred Associates, took over the colony and it began to flourish again. With financial support from Cardinal Richelieu, Champlain would return to Qubec. With his new funds, and expanding population he would rebuild the society and order to New France and its citizens. He also established new trading posts in the companys name at different locations throughout the St. Lawrence River. The colony was stable. Champlain passed away several years later. His colony would last without him, but the fur trade with the First Nations would never be the same.

20/21st POSITIVE interaction

http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.caLegislated Assimilation Development of the Indian Act!(18201927)

Specific Claims Policy

For over 300 years the relationship between Canadas aboriginal people and the Crown has been constantly evolving. The idea of addressing specific First Nations claims was first proposed in 1948, but it was not properly acted upon until 1973. The Indian act, witch was enacted in 1876, was a process of assimilating First Nations people. Great restrictions were put on the language, culture, rights and education of aboriginals. Over 70 years the Indian act was amended many times, as the Europeans settlers attempted to civilize First Nations people. Between 1871 and 1921 the Canadian government created 11 land surrender treaties. The numbered treaties provided land for settlements to develop and reserve land for First Nations people to live, hunt and fish. In 1880 the Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) was created. Although it grew continuously, in 1936 it was reduced significantly in size. In 1996, the Hawthorn Report was published. It criticized the size of the INAC stating it had an inefficient administration for the job it needed to do. The INAC was then adjusted to include First Nations people, the Inuit, the Mtis and people of the northern territories. It had also been instrumental in dealing with treaties and developing the Specific Claims Policy with the assembly of First Nations. The INAC continues to grow and support Canadas aboriginals peoples rights.

20/21st NEGITIVE interaction

http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca

Bill C-31

Towards a new relationship (1982-present) Bill C-31

For over 150 years the First Nations and aboriginal people of Canada have suffered great discrimination. Various forms of the Indian act dictated First Nations status, rights language, culture and way of life. One of the greatest forms of discrimination was toward First Nations women. They held little status and lost it entirely if they married a non-aboriginal. In 1985 the Canadian government passed Bill C31. This bill affected the status of First Nations people right across Canada. It released restrictions on women and who they married, removed discrimination and finally allowed Indian bands to control their own membership. Throughout the process of developing Bill C-31 the Canadian government consulted First Nations leaders from across Canada to change the outdated Indian act. Over 600,000 First Nations people regained their status, were given greater rights and responsibilities within each tribe and the freedom to govern themselves. Bill C-31 was an important first step and because of this other bills are being put in place that give ongoing support to the First Nations and Aboriginal people of Canada.

BIG IDEA editorial

My personal response to the relationship between First Nations and Europeans/Colonists is that when someone unknown comes on your land, you cant guarantee that they are friendly. First Nations and Europeans have fought since they first found each other, and now in 2013. 2 centuries of conflict and battle, but was denser in the earlier centuries. When Catholics came to the shores of North America they taught, or at least tried to teach the first nations Christianity. This is a real example of the way they colonized the region to expand. The Europeans first came to North America from the 3cs, Commerce, Curiosity and Christianity. In the modern day this conflict still happens with the local natives. They give them land and money, and they are telling them what to do with it. Before any of this conflict they had a civilized society, with their cultures and beliefs. They were happy. Now there society is taken away from them, and they have to live on the strands that the government gives them. They may be happy, but not as happy as they could have been if Europeans never found them.