Unit 1

Indian Government: Before and During Colonization

In the first section of Unit 1, we examine the social structures and cultures of Aboriginal peoples, in place since time immemorial and prior to the arrival of non-Aboriginal settlers in Canada. We discuss characteristics common to Aboriginal peoples, identify six Aboriginal cultural groups, and outline the linguistic groups and traditional territories of Aboriginal peoples.

In the second section of Unit 1, we discuss precolonial Aboriginal governments, the impact of colonization on Aboriginal people, colonial domination, and decolonization.

In Section 3, we delve into the question of whether relations between Aboriginal peoples and Canadian governments exhibit characteristics such as paternalism, and support for acculturation and assimilation. More specifically, we examine the relations between Aboriginal nations and Canadian governments to determine whether we would be justified in characterizing them as involving “internal colonialism.” As a case study of the question of internal colonialism, we look at relations between southerners and northern Indigenous people in one community. We also begin to examine Aboriginal autonomy in light of the Canadian government’s policies on treaty making, by looking at the impact of treaty making on the lawmaking of Aboriginal peoples.

In Section 4, we examine contemporary Aboriginal governments and their roles, rights, and responsibilities. Finally, in Section 5, we consider the process of decolonization as it has been experienced by colonized people in other countries.

Objectives

After completing this unit, you should be able to

1. describe what is meant by each of the terms listed below.
   • assimilation
   • acculturation
   • egalitarian
   • paternalism
   • colonialism
   • decolonization
   • self-determination
   • Aboriginal self-government
   • racism
2. analyse the recommendations of the Penner Report on Indian self-government.
3. compare the process of decolonization underway among Aboriginal peoples in other countries to that undertaken by Canadian Aboriginal peoples.
4. describe cultural characteristics common to Aboriginal peoples in Canada.
5. identify and describe, briefly, the six Aboriginal cultural groups and the eleven Aboriginal linguistic groups in Canada.
6. identify the Métis people as a distinctive cultural group, and discuss their history.
7. discuss the role that commerce played in relationships between Aboriginal and European governments.
8. identify two intentional changes brought to Aboriginal people by Europeans, and two changes that occurred unintentionally.
9. outline historical events that led to the erosion of Aboriginal political systems before the Confederation of Canada.
10. describe, using specific incidents and events, the negative effects of assimilationist legislation on Aboriginal governance and quality of life.