Royal Proclamation of 1763 The Royal Proclamation is important for two reasons: It became a set of instructions for the British to settle in Canada. 2. It officially made it illegal for settlers to claim land occupied by Indigenous People unless it was purchased from the Crown (Britain).

People could only buy land from the Crown, who could only buy that land from Indigenous People. The Royal Proclamation recognized First Nations as actual Nations. First Nations were not part of the process of creating the Proclamation so they had little understanding of what it meant.

World Views Indigenous people were stewards of the land, taking care to protect it. Europeans looked to own and exploit the land for personal gain.

Although the Proclamation recognized Indigenous people were being cheated through Colonization, no one from Britain worked with the First Nations people. The Proclamation set up Britain essentially as their “parent” that made Indigenous people look like “children” in their eyes. This type of relationship has shaped how the government has treated Indigenous peoples for over two hundred years. At the time, these people did not identify themselves as “Indigenous people” or “Indians”

“Our Indian legislation generally rests on the principle, that the Here is a quote from the Canadian Department of the Interior 1876 Annual Report: “Our Indian legislation generally rests on the principle, that the aboriginies are to be kept in a condition of tutelage and treated as wards or children of the State. The soundness of the principle I can not admit. On the contrary, I am firmly persuaded that the true interests of the aboriginies and of the State alike require that every effort should be made to aid the Red man in lifting himself out of his condition of tutelage and dependence, and that is clearly our wisdom and our duty, through education and every other means, to prepare him for a higher civilization by encouraging him to assume the privileges and responsibilities of full citizenship. In this spirit and with this object the enfranchisement clauses in the proposed Indian Bill have been framed.” Department of the Interior [Indian Affairs Branch],“Annual Report of the Department of the Interior for the year ended 30th June, 1876” (Ottawa: 1876), p.XIV. | Library & Archives Canada  

The government wanted Indigenous people to abandon their cultures, identities, languages, and beliefs, so they could become Canadians. The government worked toward assimilation. This means it was assumed all Indigenous people would soon be absorbed into a new “Canadian” Identity.

Assimilation Law Laws like this paved the way for the creation of the Indian Act of 1867. A set of laws and policies under the government’s control to assimilate First Nations people. It created a registry of “Indians” determined by the government.

Metis, Inuit and Non-Status Indians do not fall under these laws. Jan. 2013, Metis and Non-Status Indians won a court case that says they are now “Indians” under the Canadian Constitution.

Changes to the Indian Act 1885, the Indian Act was changed to ban many traditional Indigenous ceremonies, like the Potlatch. Why? Enfranchisement White Paper

FN cultures lost their customs, traditions and languages Impacts of the Indian Act on First Nations Peoples 1876 – Present FN cultures lost their customs, traditions and languages FN family ties were broken FN children were removed from their families FN peoples’ freedom of movement was restricted FN women were discriminated against FN peoples were not allowed to practise their spiritual ceremonies FN peoples lost their identity through enfranchisement FN peoples lost their self-confidence FN parents lost their parenting skills

FN lost the right to determine their own membership FN lost their traditional leadership FN lost their sovereignty FN have only limited access to education FN lost their lands FN lost their resources FN lost their traditional lifestyles FN lost their freedom FN only have limited opportunity to sell their agricultural goods