Important First Nation events of the 20th century

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As the century comes to a close - arguments that that doesn't actually happen until the end of next year notwithstanding - it's important to look back at where we were 100 years ago so that we can appreciate the progress made by our people and, just as important, use the history to guide us into the future.

Here is a list of important historical events, many of which are still exercising their influences in our day-to-day lives, which occurred during the last 100 years. The following list should not be construed as the "most" important. Some events not on this list may be deemed as more important than the ones listed.

1927 - Through the Indian Act, the Canadian government suppresses Indian political activity by setting up an apartheid law that forbids Indians from forming traditional Indian government systems. Also, the Indian Act prohibits Natives from speaking their mother-tongues and practicing their traditional ceremonies.

1930 - The Natural Resource Transfer Agreement is signed. The agreement states that any transfer of lands to Indian reserve status requires provincial approval. In addition, the transfer of resources is given to the provinces.

1951 - Indians allowed the unconditional extension of the right to vote federally.

1965 - Hawthorn Report (a survey of contemporary Indians of Canada) is released. The report recommends Indians be granted special status as "Citizens Plus" in order to ensure their separate identity. The main assumption of the report suggests Indians should assimilate.

1968 - National Indian Brotherhood is born, thus giving status/treaty Indians a national voice. Eventually the NIB changes its name to the Assembly of First Nations and restructures its organization to become more representative and accountable.

1969 - The controversial White Paper is released. This document essentially jump starts Indian political activity throughout Canada. The White Paper calls for the end of the Treaties and the Indian Act, abolishing the special status of Indians, dismantling the Department of Indian Affairs, and handing the federal responsibility of Indians to the provinces.

1972 - The NIB releases its policy paper "Indian Control of Indian Education" which emphasizes local control as the basis for a better educational system.

1973 - Calder v. British Columbia ruling is handed down. The Nisga'a lose the court case but win judicial recognition on the crucial issue that their land claim was based on their ancestors' occupation and use since time immemorial. Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau admits "perhaps you have more legal rights than we thought you had when we did the White Paper."

1982 - Constitution Act is repatriated. Section 35(1) of the Constitution recognizes and affirms the existing Aboriginal and treaty rights of the Aboriginal people in Canada.

1983-84 - Corbiere-Lavell and Lovelace cases are heard in the Supreme Court of Canada. These cases highlight Native women's rights, particularly focusing on the sex discrimination in the Indian Act as an example of unequal treatment in law of Indian women.

1985 - Bill C-31 (An Act To Amend the Indian Act) is introduced to overcome the sexual discrimination in the Indian Act, specifically against Indian women (and by extension their children) who lost their status upon marrying a non-Indian man.

1990 - Oka conflict takes place. A 77-day standoff ensues when Mohawks try to block the expansion of a golf course onto ancestral lands. Canadian Forces troops are called in to assist the Quebec provincial police to confront the Mohawk Warriors. This event is symbolic of Native resistance and the Native and non-Native relations in Canada at the time.

1992 - Charlottetown Accord is defeated by Indian MLA Elija Harper (Manitoba) largely due to the fact the accord didn't recognize the distinct status of Aboriginal people but was willing to recognize Quebec as a "distinct society." (Two years later, the Meech Lake Accord is lost in a national referendum. Native grasroots organizations heavily opposed the accord largely because of the vague concept of self-government.)

Aboriginal Justice Inquiry Report is released and is the first major report that calls for a separate, parallel justice system for Native people.

1996 - The report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples is released with far-reaching recommendations. The report is not only expensive but also the most comprehensive report related to Aboriginal people.

1999 - Nisga'a treaty goes to Parliament for final approval. The Nisga'a agreement is the first modern-day treaty in British Columbia, in which the Nisga'a will get self government powers similar to a municipality in addition to cash and land.

1999 - Nunavut (meaning "our land" in Inuktitut) becomes a reality. Nunavut is the largest land claim ever settled in Canada, making up one-fifth of Canada's land mass.

With the objective of sharing our stories and culture, Aboriginal Peoples Television Network is launched nationally to a potential audience of eight million viewers.

1999 - The Supreme Court of Canada affirms the commercial fishing rights (Marshall decision) stemming from a 1760 treaty signed between the British and Mi'kmaq. This ruling allows the Mi'kmaq to catch and sell fish year-round.