| Celebrating
Women's History
Rediscover our history by
learning about the
women who helped to create it.
Aboriginal Women and Families
Traditionally, many Aboriginal cultures were matriarchal or
semi-matriarchal. That means women were involved in decisions regarding family, property
rights and education. They were highly respected as the givers of life and keepers of
cultural traditions. While divisions of labour existed, men and women's work was valued
equally. European colonization and the introduction of The Indian Act resulted in
significant changes for Aboriginal women, children and families.
Note: The term Aboriginal includes
individuals who are Métis and Inuit.
1829
Two sisters, Angelique and Marguerite Nolan, began teaching at
the first school for girls in western Canada. These two Métis women made a valuable
contribution to the Red River frontier.
1857
The colonial government passed an act to assimilate Aboriginal
people into Canadian society. By giving up his First Nations heritage, any Aboriginal male
over the age of 21, literate in English or French, "of good moral character" and
free of debt, could be "no longer deemed an Indian". He could then enjoy the
rights and privileges of non-Aboriginal citizens. In 1933, an amendment to The Indian Act
enforced assimilation even further. That amendment empowered the government to order
the enfranchisement of First Nations members who met the qualifications set out in the
act, even when they had not requested this.
1876
The Indian Act was implemented in Western Canada, creating the
reservation system.
1885
A permit system for Aboriginal people living on reserves was
established. Aboriginals had to pay a fee to an Indian Agent and get his permission to
leave the reserve and travel to another reserve.
1900
Under The Dominion Elections Act, the only people who were
allowed to vote in a federal election were ones who had the legal right to vote in a
provincial election. Minorities who were excluded from voting in provincial elections were
automatically excluded from voting in federal elections.
1925
The United Church of Canada began operating Indian Residential
Schools, a school system that would continue until 1975. By 1930, the Roman Catholic
Church ran three-fifths of the schools. Native language was forbidden and Aboriginal
customs and traditions were scorned.
1951
The traditional right of women to vote in band elections was
restored, but women still lost Indian status rights if they married non-treaty Indians.
Aboriginal men had the right to vote in federal elections, but not in provincial
elections.
1960
Formal segregation of First Nations people was abolished in
Western Canada. Legislation changed so that Aboriginal men and women living on a reserve
could vote without losing their treaty Indian status.
1962
The courts decided that Section 94 of The Indian Act, which
prohibited Aboriginal persons from possessing liquor outside a reserve, did not violate
the Canadian Bill of Rights.
1971
Section 94 of The Indian Act restricting the possession of
intoxicants by Aboriginal persons was repealed.
Jean Folster, of Norway House, became the first woman Chief
in Manitoba.
1973
The Supreme Court ruled in a 5-to-4 vote that The Indian Act,
which took away treaty rights from Aboriginal women who married non-status men, was valid.
Canadian women "mourned" the death of the Bill of Rights in protest.
1982
The Aboriginal rights of Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples were
recognized and entrenched in Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution.
1985
Bill C-31 amended The Indian Act and restored treaty rights to
Aboriginal women who were denied these rights when they married non-status men. Bill C-31
reinstated 76,000 women who had lost Indian status through marriage.
Return to:
Women's History Month
Publications
|
