Global Actions
There are an estimated 370 million Indigenous peoples worldwide, living in 70 different countries, according to the United Nations (U.N.) Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Despite vast diversity…
Berger Inquiry
In 1974, Jean Chretien, Canada’s Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND) faced a dilemma. Oil and gas exploration in the Canadian north had boomed after the…
Aboriginal Title
What is “title?” Aboriginal title refers to the inherent Aboriginal right to land or a territory. The Canadian legal system recognizes Aboriginal title as a sui generis, or…
The Residential School System
By Erin Hanson (2009), with updates and revisions by Daniel P. Gamez & Alexa Manuel (September 2020). The original version of this article has been archived, but may…
The Residential School System
By Erin Hanson (2009), with updates and revisions by Daniel P. Gamez & Alexa Manuel (September 2020). The original version of this article has been archived, but may…
Totem Poles
What are totem poles? House frontal poles outside the Haida Heritage Centre, Kaay Llnagay, BC. Photo (c) 2010, Robyn Hanson. Totem poles are monuments created by First Nations…
Bill C-31
What is Bill C-31? Bill C-31, or a Bill to Amend the Indian Act, passed into law in April 1985 to bring the Indian Act into line with…
The Residential School System (2009)
This article has been archived. An updated version was published in 2020; read it here. Residential Schools Children’s dining room, Indian Residential School, Edmonton, Alberta. Between 1925-1936. United…
UBC Dialogue: Nov 1, 2011
On November 1, 2011, in collaboration with the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, the First Nations House of Learning at UBC hosted a day-long Dialogue on the History…
The Indian Act
In this section Introduction The origins of the Indian Act: A history of oppression and resistance The Potlatch Law & Section 141 1951 amendments The White Paper Bill…
