AboriginalsAboriginalsFishing and Cannery WorkFishing and Cannery Work

Cannery WagesCannery WagesIn the mid 1890’s the yearly wage for most Indian fishermen was $45, while in the cannery it was $70 per year.

The wages earned rise dramatically from $45 a year for fishermen, to $85, with the increase of product costs.

The wages were low enough to stop indians from purchasing their own fishing boats most of the time.

Wages would waver from highs to lows, as the Aboriginals formed into unions.

Women in the Fishing IndustryWomen in the

Fishing IndustryLittle is known of Indian Women who were cannery workers

They were separated from their families, and other races of women

Most families were torn apart by jobs in the Salmon Fishing/Canning Industry

Women were also paid much less than the male fishermen or cannery workers, which directly conflicted the Aboriginal belief that both genders were equal

Women supported men who were going on strike during the Skeena Strikes of 1894

Fishing UnionsFishing Unions

The fishing unions were started by aboriginal and other ethnic fishermen to fight for higher wages in an ever-changing economy

The largest strike that these unions organized was one in June 1936

Because of this strike, families starved, and nothing was gained, but it managed showed the strength of the Union as an organization

This was effectively the only way that Aboriginal and ethnic fishermen were able to control their wages and effects on the increasing cost of living.

Aboriginal Fishing Rights

Aboriginal Fishing Rights

Canadian Courts recognized the Aboriginal right to fish, but they weren’t allowed to sell or trade their catch.

This forced Aboriginal peoples to work for European fish canning manufacturers to make the money required to live

A couple of Aboriginal leaders were able to put together the funds to buy their own fishing license and start their own fishing companies

Aboriginal rights had a ban on net fishing in order to conserve fish stock as well. The fishing rights for Métis peoples were only recently set. The laws were cloudy and restrictive before.

Preventing Aboriginal Success

Preventing Aboriginal Success

Aboriginal peoples were paid very little for their work in the canneries and fishing jobs. This stopped many peoples from buying their own licenses or boats.

Bank loans were not allowed to be made to First Nations peoples, to stop them from breaking free of the cannery jobs.

The entire cannery industry was based around keeping the Aboriginal people reliant on their meager wages to survive. Prices of goods were always on the rise to make sure that aboriginal people could not compile large enough funds.