1. Indian (First Nations)

2. Metis

3. Inuit

2011 - sequel to the 1996 RCAP

- explored Indigenous values, beliefs, traditions, experiences, aspirations, etc. 

- community belonging, education, health, work, political activity, justice, relationships, life goals, discrimination

- 1558 First Nations, 789 Metis, 265 Inuit

4 components: total income, education, housing, labour force

- get a score from 0 to 100

- use data from Statistics Canada census and UN's Human Development Index

- develope by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC)

indicates a lack of resources in the community

2 variables: quantity and quality

indicates the health of the economy

2 variables: participation and employment

For people between 20 and 65 years old

1. struggle for treaty rights

2. discredited Indian act

3. effects of the reserve system

4. residential schools experiences

5. Aboriginal self-government

- Peace and Friendship Treaty (1752), Robinson Treaties (1850), Numbered Treaties (1871-1921)

- treaties made Indians relinquish their rights to specific land in exchange for $5 per person... amount never increased with inflation

- given small parcels of land for reserves

- 1/2 of Canadian land is not under treaty

- 1/2 of registered Indians did not sign treaties

1876 - provides federal government exclusive authority to legislate in relation to Indians and land reserved for Indian

- strictly defines requirements for determining who is a Status Indian

- enfranchisement: Indians could only acquire full Canadian citizenship if they gave up their culture and rights to land

- could lose status for marrying someone who was not Indigenous or someone who was a non-Status Indian or by moving out of the country

- by product of the treaties

- main vehicle for regulating and controlling Aboriginal movement and ways of living

- parcels of land set aside for exclusive occupation and use by Aboriginal communities

- 2000 reserves in Canada with over 600 bands

- devoid of economic potential

- institutions to "educate" Aboriginal children who were forced to go

- operated by religious organizations in partnership with the federal government

- prohibited the use of Aboriginal language, traditions, etc.

- experienced abuse 

- Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (2006): government paid $1.9 billion to compensate victims and survivors

- Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) gives formal opportunities for Indigenous persons to tell their stories to create a report for Canada's official historical records... $60 million

1. protection

2. assimilation

3. christianization

4. enfranchisement

5. land surrender

6. government authority

ration system based on confiscated First Nations monies that were placed in a band trust account

- used to sanction behaviour and reward assimilation

- distinguished between deserving and undeserving poor

1. Old Age Pension (1927) included Metis but excluded First Nations and Inuit until 1951

2. Unemployment Insurance (1940) excluded all Indigenous

3. Family Allowance Act (1944) applied to Indigenous but only provided "in-kind" rations

4. Allowance to aged Indians (1948) allowed Registered Indians over 70 years old to receive monthly benefits 

5. Old Age Security (1951) included all Aboriginal peoples

6. Unemployment Assistance (1956), Aboriginals had lower benefit rates that came from the federal government rather than the provincial government

7. Social Assistance replaced the Indian relief system in the 1950's

- supervised directly by AANDC

- federal government funds on-reserve assistance

- some off-reserve Aboriginal communities deliver their own programs according to provincial standards

- Urban Aboriginal people receive social assistance through the mainstream, provincial system

- one of 5 programs run by AANDC

- provides funding to assist eligible families and individuals who are residents on reserve

- collaborates with First Nations Income Assistance Working Group for programs, services and projects related to income

- youth, seniors, veterans, elder council

proactive approach to help First Nations individuals move from income assistance to more independent, self-sufficient lives with skills training required to find meaningful jobs

- job training, child care, employment incentives

- federal budget is a barrier both on and off reserves

1969 - The White Paper by Jean Chretien

- argued that Aboriginal peoples should be treated as regular citizens, have control of their land and Indian Affairs department should be disbanded

The Red Paper by Harold Cardinal

- opposition to the White Paper stating that ending the special status of Indians was not a solution

- mapped out alternative view whereby Aboriginal peoples contribute to Canadian society while exercising rights and power at the community level

1996 - extensive study of Aboriginal peoples in Canada

- 440 recommendations to rebalance political and economic power

6 themes:

1. aboriginal nations have to be reconstituted

2. process must be established for the assumption of powers by aboriginal nations

3. fundamental reallocation of land and resources

4. education and crucial skills for governance and economic self-reliance

5. economic development must be addressed if poverty, unemployment and welfare are to change

6. must acknowledge past injustices