-
1493
Doctrine of Discovery
"Doctrine of Discovery” is decreed a year after Christopher Columbus’ first journey to turtle island. It was made without consulting Indigenous populations or with any recognition of their rights. -
1500
c. 1500
An estimates of 200,000 to 500,000 people now live in the area of what would become Canada; between 300 and 450 languages spoken. -
Covenant Chain
The Two-Row Wampum establishes agreements between the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and Europeans, emphasizing cultural and linguistic sovereignty -
Catholicism
The first European missionaries arrive to convert Indigenous populations to Catholicism. -
Great Peace of Montréal
Three dozen Indigenous groups and the French colonial government sign the Great Peace of Montréal, forging peaceful relations that end nearly a century of war between the Haudenosaunee and the French. -
Period: to
The Seven Years War
The Seven Years War begins in North America. Hostilities between the French and English centred in Europe but the fight for control in North America, with Indigenous allies on both sides. -
Period: to
War of 1812
The War of 1812 sees tens of thousands of Indigenous people fight for their land, independence. By the end of hostilities, almost 10,000 Indigenous people had died from wounds or disease. -
Mohawk Institute
First residential school was opened. -
The Constitution Act
The British North America Act creates the Dominion of Canada. Colonial responsibility for Indigenous peoples and lands is transferred to the new federal government under the Department of the Interior. -
The Indian Act
The Indian Act is passed by the Government of Canada on the premise that economic, social, and political regulation of First Nations peoples would facilitate assimilation. -
Changes to the Indian Act
An amendment to the Indian Act formally disenfranchises and disempowers Indigenous women by declaring they “cease to be an Indian in any respect” if they marry “any other than an Indian." -
Period: to
Residential Schools
Residential schools forced First Nations children to give up their heritage and follow European culture. Children were given taken away from their families, and many never found their parents again. They were given Catholic names and were forced to speak English. Roughly 150,000 Indigenous people were put through the residential school system. -
Period: to
WW1
Between 4,000 and 6,000 Indigenous people serve in the Canadian military during the First World War. They are denied veterans’ benefits on their return. -
The League of Indians
The League of Indians was formed to advocate for improved living conditions and the protection of Indigenous rights and practices. -
Mandatory Attendance at Residential Schools
Indigenous children are forced to attend residential schools. By the late 20th century, most Indigenous languages are endangered due to these assimilationist policies. -
Period: to
WW2
Between 5,000 and 8,000 Indigenous soldiers fought for Canada in the Second World War, serving in all major battles and campaigns. Most do not receive the same support or compensation as other veterans upon returning home. -
First Female Chief
Elsie Marie Knott becomes the first female chief of a First Nation in Canada -
The Inuit Tapirisat of Canada
The Inuit Tapirisat of Canada is formed to advocate for Inuit rights; including language preservation. -
The Native Women’s Association of Canada
The Native Women’s Association of
Canada is established to promote education and challenges discriminatory policies. -
Greenpeace Anti Sealing
An anti sealing campaign led by Greenpeace attacks Inuit hunting practices, devastating Inuit communities. -
The Canadian Constitution
The Canadian Constitution is patriated; Section 35 recognizes and affirms Aboriginal title and treaty rights. -
The Assembly of First Nations
The Assembly of First Nations is formed to promote the interests of First Nations in self-government, respect for treaty rights, education, health, land, language, and resources. -
Oka Crisis
The Oka Crisis began lasted 78 days until September 26. The crisis culminated in a months long barricade, protest, and armed uprising at Kanehsatà:ke. -
Last Residential School Closes
The last residential school closes, marking the end of a system that devastated Indigenous languages. -
The Kelowna Accord
The Kelowna Accord follows 18 months of consultation among federal, provincial, territorial, and Indigenous leaders on health, education, social, and economic improvements for Indigenous peoples. While 5 billion dollars is promised, no formal agreement on how to dispense the money is reached. -
Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Canada signs the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, recognizing the right to preserve and promote Indigenous languages -
Formal Apology for Residential Schools
Prime Minister Stephen Harper issues a statement of apology to former students of Residential Schools in Canada for the harm caused by assimilationist goals, abuse, and cultural loss. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau extends the apology in 2017 to students of Residential Schools in Newfoundland and Labrador. -
Truth and Reconciliation
The Indian Residential School Truth and Reconciliation Commission issues its final report, documenting the experiences of approximately 150,000 Residential School students and
Survivors. -
Indigenous Languages Legislation
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces plans for Indigenous Languages Legislation