FIRST NATIONSFIRST NATIONSMETISMETISINUITINUIT

Prepared by Larry McCallumPrepared by Larry McCallumConsultantConsultant

Images are copyrighted by the ownersImages are copyrighted by the owners

For Personal Use OnlyFor Personal Use Only

May 20, 2009May 20, 2009

DEFINITIONSDEFINITIONS AboriginalAboriginal – the – the

descendants of the descendants of the original inhabitants of original inhabitants of Turtle Island (North Turtle Island (North America)America)

This is an umbrella This is an umbrella term used to term used to categorize all people categorize all people of Indian, Metis and of Indian, Metis and Inuit ancestry into a Inuit ancestry into a single entity.single entity.

Usage is acceptable if Usage is acceptable if your intention is to your intention is to categorize all nations categorize all nations into a single entityinto a single entity

What’s In a Name?What’s In a Name? First NationsFirst Nations – new – new

term, referring to term, referring to the ancestors of the the ancestors of the original inhabitants original inhabitants who are classified who are classified by the term by the term “Indian”“Indian”

replaces the term replaces the term ‘Indian’ except in ‘Indian’ except in reference to the Actreference to the Act

Umbrella term for Umbrella term for those recognized by those recognized by the Indian Act.the Indian Act.

What’s in a Name?What’s in a Name? IndianIndian – legal term under the – legal term under the

‘Indian Act’; The Act defines ‘Indian Act’; The Act defines who can be an ‘Indian’who can be an ‘Indian’

May have three legal May have three legal definitions:definitions:

StatusStatus – means you fit under – means you fit under the Indian Act; registered, the Indian Act; registered, thus have ‘status’; every thus have ‘status’; every “Indian” has status“Indian” has status

TreatyTreaty – has status, plus – has status, plus belong to a First Nation that belong to a First Nation that signed a treatysigned a treaty

Non-statusNon-status – claim Indian/First – claim Indian/First Nations status, yet are not Nations status, yet are not registered under the Act. registered under the Act. They identify with a First They identify with a First Nations or Inuit Community Nations or Inuit Community culturally or linguisticallyculturally or linguistically

FIRST NATIONS IN FIRST NATIONS IN SASKATCHEWANSASKATCHEWAN

(Commonly used term in (Commonly used term in brackets)brackets)

NEHIYAWIK (Cree)NEHIYAWIK (Cree) DENE (Chipewyan, but DENE (Chipewyan, but

not recommended)not recommended) ANISHINABE (Ojibway; ANISHINABE (Ojibway;

Saulteaux)Saulteaux) LAKOTA (Sioux), LAKOTA (Sioux),

DAKOTA (Sioux), DAKOTA (Sioux), NAKOTA (Sioux; NAKOTA (Sioux; Assiniboine; Stoney but Assiniboine; Stoney but not recommeded)not recommeded)

Circle of LifeCircle of Life

ROCK

WATER

EARTH

GRASSES

CHILDHOOD

WINGED ONES

HONESTY

ORDER

FOUR LEGGED

SOUTH - SUMMERSOUTH - SUMMER

TREES

STARS

NORTH -WINTERNORTH -WINTER

DEATH/OLD AGE

HARMONY

CREATOR

PURITY

WIND

FIRE

SUN

FLOWERS

BIRTH INFACY

TWO LEGGED

EEAASSTT SSPPRRIINNGG

LOVE

CONTROL

WWEESSTT AAUUTTUUMMNN

UNSELFISHNESS

BALANCE

ADULTHOOD

SWIMMERS

VEGETABLES

MOON

Traditional First Nations SpiritualityTraditional First Nations Spirituality

God / Creator / God / Creator / Great Sprit / Great MysteryGreat Sprit / Great Mystery

Sun/Moon/Earth/Stars

Rock/Fire/Air/Water

Plant Life

Insect World

Swimmers / Flyers

Four Legged Creatures

Humanity

• This is the circle in hierarchal form

• Each depends on order above or at the same level for survival.

•Everything in the natural world has a spirit.

•Some nations have the Earth, Sun, Moon, Stars at a level next to the Creator

THE METISTHE METIS Aboriginal peoples of Aboriginal peoples of

mixed ancestry, part First mixed ancestry, part First Nations, part EuropeanNations, part European

Example: Cree and FrenchExample: Cree and French On the prairies, they On the prairies, they

maintain a distinct and maintain a distinct and separate cultureseparate culture

French Metis fly the blue French Metis fly the blue flag and the English/British flag and the English/British Metis fly the red flag; Metis fly the red flag; remnants of the NWCo. remnants of the NWCo. and the HBCo.and the HBCo.

Spirituality: Christian Spirituality: Christian basedbased

The Middle World PerspectiveThe Middle World Perspective

Racist views are directed from the First Racist views are directed from the First Nations and from the Euro-CanadiansNations and from the Euro-Canadians

We aren’t able to fit into either worldWe aren’t able to fit into either world The constitution recognized the Metis as The constitution recognized the Metis as

one of the three aboriginal groups and one of the three aboriginal groups and created a “box” we have to fit increated a “box” we have to fit in

Many Metis view the treaties negatively Many Metis view the treaties negatively due to being left out of the processdue to being left out of the process

Metis harvesting rights, won through Metis harvesting rights, won through Canadian courts are often overturned by Canadian courts are often overturned by higher courtshigher courts

Perspective ContinuedPerspective Continued Issues of ‘identity’ continue to plague the Issues of ‘identity’ continue to plague the

Metis nation. Just who can be a Metis?Metis nation. Just who can be a Metis? Metis people often try to disappear into the Metis people often try to disappear into the

Euro-Canadian worldEuro-Canadian world Political blundering continues to shed Political blundering continues to shed

negatively on all Metis people and Metis negatively on all Metis people and Metis communitiescommunities

There is no land base for Metis people, except There is no land base for Metis people, except in Alberta.in Alberta.

The Metis land Claim in Saskatchewan was The Metis land Claim in Saskatchewan was turned down by the supreme court in turned down by the supreme court in December 2007December 2007

THE REALITY TODAYTHE REALITY TODAY

Struggle for Struggle for recognition; the recognition; the ‘forgotten people’‘forgotten people’

Struggle for Struggle for “Identity”“Identity”

Caught between Caught between two worlds/realitiestwo worlds/realities

Political strifePolitical strife

INUITINUIT

Formerly referred to as EskimosFormerly referred to as Eskimos Recognized as a separate group under the Recognized as a separate group under the

CharterCharter

FOUNDATIONS OF CANADAFOUNDATIONS OF CANADARead from the bottom up. This is the beginning of Treaties.Read from the bottom up. This is the beginning of Treaties.

Foundations con’t …Foundations con’t …

Sayings of the EldersSayings of the Elders

““In the old days, no one would have In the old days, no one would have dreamed about laying claim to the land. dreamed about laying claim to the land. It belonged, not just to the Dene, but to It belonged, not just to the Dene, but to the moose, caribou, bears and bears as the moose, caribou, bears and bears as well. The river was shared by the fish in well. The river was shared by the fish in it and the people on it.”it and the people on it.”

Andrew Chapeskie, Alaskan Dene NationAndrew Chapeskie, Alaskan Dene Nation

TREATY MAP OF TREATY MAP OF SASKATCHEWANSASKATCHEWAN

Treaty Land in SaskatchewanTreaty Land in Saskatchewan

100% of Saskatchewan is treaty territory100% of Saskatchewan is treaty territory That means all of Saskatchewan was taken That means all of Saskatchewan was taken

by the Treatiesby the Treaties Approximately 97% of Saskatchewan is Approximately 97% of Saskatchewan is

made up of Crown land or private landmade up of Crown land or private land Zero % is set aside for Metis peopleZero % is set aside for Metis people Approximately 4% is set aside for road Approximately 4% is set aside for road

allowanceallowance

Treaty Land in SaskatchewanTreaty Land in Saskatchewan

Approximately 3% of Saskatchewan Approximately 3% of Saskatchewan is made up of reserve territory; these is made up of reserve territory; these lands were set aside by the Federal lands were set aside by the Federal Government for First Nations useGovernment for First Nations use

The reserves are technically the The reserves are technically the property of the federal governmentproperty of the federal government

““The 97% is supposed to look after The 97% is supposed to look after the 3%”the 3%”

TREATY MAP OF TREATY MAP OF SASKATCHEWANSASKATCHEWAN

In Saskatchewan, we are all Treaty In Saskatchewan, we are all Treaty people!people!

FIRST NATIONS TREATY FIRST NATIONS TREATY RIGHTSRIGHTS

Once-for-all Once-for-all Expenditures:Expenditures:

$12/person$12/person farm stock and farm stock and

equipmentequipment seed, tool; flag, seed, tool; flag,

medal, horse, medal, horse, harness and wagon harness and wagon for each chief (or for each chief (or two carts in lieutwo carts in lieu

First Nation Treaty RightsFirst Nation Treaty Rights

Recurring Recurring incidental incidental Expenditures:Expenditures:

$1500/year for $1500/year for ammo and twineammo and twine

triennial clothingtriennial clothing $1000 a year for $1000 a year for

“provisions” for “provisions” for first 3 yearsfirst 3 years

First Nation Treaty RightsFirst Nation Treaty Rights

Annuities:Annuities: By census: $25 per By census: $25 per

chiefchief $15 per headman$15 per headman $5 per Indian$5 per Indian

First Nation Treaty RightsFirst Nation Treaty Rights

Schooling:Schooling: Maintain schools Maintain schools

on reserves, as on reserves, as advisable, at advisable, at peoples’ requestpeoples’ request

First Nation Treaty RightsFirst Nation Treaty Rights

Medical Chest:Medical Chest: Under Agent’s Under Agent’s

direction, maintain direction, maintain a medicine chest a medicine chest for the benefit of for the benefit of IndiansIndians

Assistance in case Assistance in case of pestilence or of pestilence or faminefamine

First Nation Treaty RightsFirst Nation Treaty Rights

Intoxicants:Intoxicants: Prohibit liquor on Prohibit liquor on

reserve until reserve until authorized by authorized by legislationlegislation

Protect Indians Protect Indians from evils of from evils of intoxicantsintoxicants

Reserve Lands:Reserve Lands: Provide 1sq. Mile per Provide 1sq. Mile per

family of 5 (640 Acres)family of 5 (640 Acres) Not sell, lease, or Not sell, lease, or

dispose” of reserve dispose” of reserve lands unless agreed to lands unless agreed to by Indiansby Indians

Compensate for Compensate for reserve lands taken reserve lands taken for public worksfor public works

Deal with intrudersDeal with intruders

Ceded Lands:Ceded Lands: Permit hunting, Permit hunting,

fishing and fishing and trapping, except on trapping, except on tracts of land taken tracts of land taken up for mining, up for mining, lumbering, lumbering, settlement or other settlement or other purposes, and purposes, and subject to federal subject to federal regulationsregulations

Sayings of the EldersSayings of the Elders

““Our people respected the Creator’s Our people respected the Creator’s beings, and as a result, on our long beings, and as a result, on our long history of dominance on this history of dominance on this continent, none of the animals we continent, none of the animals we hunted ever became extinct.”hunted ever became extinct.”

Chief John Snow, Wesley Band, Stoney Chief John Snow, Wesley Band, Stoney NationNation

FIRST NATIONS TREATY FIRST NATIONS TREATY RESPONSIBILITIESRESPONSIBILITIES

TITLE:TITLE: ““Cede, release, surrender and yield Cede, release, surrender and yield

up” specified lands to the crown up” specified lands to the crown FOREVER; plus “transfer and FOREVER; plus “transfer and relinquish”relinquish”

There is a major difference in There is a major difference in perspective on this pointperspective on this point

First Nation Treaty First Nation Treaty ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

PEACE, LAW AND GOOD ORDER:PEACE, LAW AND GOOD ORDER: Observe treaty and lawObserve treaty and law Maintain peace and orderMaintain peace and order Not molest settlers or other bonafide Not molest settlers or other bonafide

personspersons Aid in apprehending Indian offendersAid in apprehending Indian offenders ““conduct and behave themselves as conduct and behave themselves as

good and loyal subjects of Her Majesty”good and loyal subjects of Her Majesty”

First Nation Treaty First Nation Treaty ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

LAND USE – RESERVE LANDS:LAND USE – RESERVE LANDS: Not to sell or alienate reserve landsNot to sell or alienate reserve lands Not to alienate lands without consent Not to alienate lands without consent

of Governor-General-in-Councilof Governor-General-in-Council

Chiefs sign Treaty #6Chiefs sign Treaty #6

EURO-CANADIAN TREAT EURO-CANADIAN TREAT RIGHTSRIGHTS

MobilityMobility in each treaty in each treaty area after the signingarea after the signing

Own/purchaseOwn/purchase land in land in each treaty area after each treaty area after signingsigning

Access to the Access to the resourcesresources in the treaty in the treaty areaarea

Rights of a Canadian Rights of a Canadian citizencitizen (Canada built (Canada built largely on a largely on a foundation of the foundation of the Treaties)Treaties)

EURO-CANADIAN TREATY EURO-CANADIAN TREATY RESPONSIBILITIES RESPONSIBILITIES

AnnuitiesAnnuities of of $25/chief; $25/chief; $15/headman; $15/headman; $5/Indian$5/Indian

Schooling – Schooling – maintain maintain schools on reserves at schools on reserves at peoples’ requestpeoples’ request

Medical Care – Medical Care – provide a medicine provide a medicine chest; and provide chest; and provide assistance in case of assistance in case of pestilence or faminepestilence or famine

Euro-Canadian Treaty Euro-Canadian Treaty ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

Reserves:Reserves: provide provide reserves of reserves of appropriate sizeappropriate size

CompensateCompensate First First Nations for reserve Nations for reserve lands taken from themlands taken from them

Not Not ‘sell, lease or ‘sell, lease or dispose’dispose’ of reserve of reserve lands unless agreed to lands unless agreed to by First Nationsby First Nations

Deal with intrudersDeal with intruders

Euro-Canadian Treaty Euro-Canadian Treaty ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

Permit hunting, Permit hunting, fishing and fishing and trapping on ceded trapping on ceded lands subject to lands subject to federal regulationsfederal regulations

THE REALITY?THE REALITY?

Erosion of First Erosion of First Nations treaty Nations treaty rightsrights

Treaty land taken Treaty land taken away without away without noticenotice

Definition of Treaty Definition of Treaty Indian changed Indian changed

Benefits don’t Benefits don’t reflect the times.reflect the times.