Landmark Dates for First Nations
- In 1872 The B.C. legislature removes Indians' right to vote in provincial elections.
- In 1884--Canada outlaws the potlatch, the major social, economic and political institution of Northwest Coast tribes. Ceremonial regalia is seized and, in some cases, privately sold to foreign museums and collectors by Indian agents.
- In 1906--A delegation of three traditional chiefs--Joe Capilano, a Squamish, Basil David, a Shuswap, and Chillihitza, an Okanagan--travel to London to meet King Edward, who rebuffs them on the grounds that Indian land claims are purely a Canadian matter.
- In 1916 B.C. aboriginal organizations form the Allied Tribes of B.C. to pursue their grievances on land and title in the courts. A few days later, the McKenna-McBride Commission recommends the total area for reserves be set at 2,698 square kilometres, down from 2,887 square kilometres. It recommends that 352 square kilometres of new territory be added but that 191 square kilometres be cut off existing reserves. The land added is generally scrub and remote wilderness, valued at just over $10 per hectare. The land cut off is mostly regarded as highly desirable by farmers, developers and municipal officials with an appraised value of about $50 per hectare.
- In 1920--Aruthur Meighen's consevative government enacts the cut-off proposals. Indian agents and the RCMP launch a wave of arrrests and prosecutions of Indian leaders and elders along the coast.
- In 1924-1927 Because of the possibilities raised by the Nigeria ruling, Ottawa amends the Indian Act to prohibit native organizations from raising money or retaining legal counsel to pursue land claims.
- In 1949 Following Canada's accession to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the B.C. government restores the vote to aboriginal citizens. Nisga'a leader Frank Calder is elected to the B.C. legislature on the CCF ticket, the first Indian elected to a legislature.
- In 1951 Parliament repeals laws prohibiting the potlach
- In 1960 The federal government grants Indians the right to vote.
- In 1973 In a landmark ruling on a suit launched by Nisga'a leader Frank Calder, six of seven Supreme Court of Canada justices rule that the Nisga'a held title to their traditional lands before B.C. was created. Justice Emmett Hall's powerful dissenting opinion defending their title convinces the federal government to adopt a comprehensive land claims' policy.
- In 1976 Ottawa begins negotiating a treaty with the Nisga'a Tribal Council. B.C. does not participate.
- In 1884--Canada outlaws the potlatch, the major social, economic and political institution of Northwest Coast tribes. Ceremonial regalia is seized and, in some cases, privately sold to foreign museums and collectors by Indian agents.
- In 1906--A delegation of three traditional chiefs--Joe Capilano, a Squamish, Basil David, a Shuswap, and Chillihitza, an Okanagan--travel to London to meet King Edward, who rebuffs them on the grounds that Indian land claims are purely a Canadian matter.
- In 1916 B.C. aboriginal organizations form the Allied Tribes of B.C. to pursue their grievances on land and title in the courts. A few days later, the McKenna-McBride Commission recommends the total area for reserves be set at 2,698 square kilometres, down from 2,887 square kilometres. It recommends that 352 square kilometres of new territory be added but that 191 square kilometres be cut off existing reserves. The land added is generally scrub and remote wilderness, valued at just over $10 per hectare. The land cut off is mostly regarded as highly desirable by farmers, developers and municipal officials with an appraised value of about $50 per hectare.
- In 1920--Aruthur Meighen's consevative government enacts the cut-off proposals. Indian agents and the RCMP launch a wave of arrrests and prosecutions of Indian leaders and elders along the coast.
- In 1924-1927 Because of the possibilities raised by the Nigeria ruling, Ottawa amends the Indian Act to prohibit native organizations from raising money or retaining legal counsel to pursue land claims.
- In 1949 Following Canada's accession to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the B.C. government restores the vote to aboriginal citizens. Nisga'a leader Frank Calder is elected to the B.C. legislature on the CCF ticket, the first Indian elected to a legislature.
- In 1951 Parliament repeals laws prohibiting the potlach
- In 1960 The federal government grants Indians the right to vote.
- In 1973 In a landmark ruling on a suit launched by Nisga'a leader Frank Calder, six of seven Supreme Court of Canada justices rule that the Nisga'a held title to their traditional lands before B.C. was created. Justice Emmett Hall's powerful dissenting opinion defending their title convinces the federal government to adopt a comprehensive land claims' policy.
- In 1976 Ottawa begins negotiating a treaty with the Nisga'a Tribal Council. B.C. does not participate.