Indigenous Learning Guide

For some who are at the beginning of their learning journey surrounding Indigenous culture and history in Canada, Land Acknowledgements may spark curiosity to learn more about Indigenous ways of life. With over 50 difference Indigenous Nations across Canada, many Indigenous peoples follow a form of the Teachings of the Seven Grandfathers to guide their human conduct towards themselves and others. These teachings are used to guide the morals, values, governance structures, ceremonial practices, and spiritual beliefs of Indigenous peoples Each teaching is accompanied by an animal that demonstrates these traits in nature and varies from Nation to Nation. The Ojibwe seven teachings are: Wisdom (beaver), Love (eagle), Respect (buffalo), Bravery (bear), Honesty (raven), Humility (wolf) and Truth (turtle).  The Seven Grandfather Teachings form the foundation for the way of life of Indigenous peoples, and are a guiding light for all by setting the example for harmonious living with the Earth and each other.  Here at Blue Lakes, we seek guidance from the Seven Grandfather Teachings, and we encourage each Blue Lakes committee to incorporate these values into their stewardship efforts.

Indigenous peoples lived and cared for the land across North America since time immemorial, and the settlement and colonization of Europeans forever impacted the lives of Indigenous peoples.   European settlement imposed laws to control and assimilate Indigenous peoples in Canada.  You may have heard of the Indian Act, but did you know that it is still in use today?  Since the Indian Act was first passed in 1876, it has undergone numerous changes but still largely retains its original form.  The main goal of the Act was to eradicate First Nations and have them subscribe to Western practices, meaning all Indigenous culture, traditions, languages, religions and rights would be lost.  Enfranchisement was a method introduced by the government to support their assimilation policies.  Enfranchisement is a legal process for terminating a person’s "Indian Status" and forcing them to become a Canadian citizen.  Indigenous peoples were threatened that they would have no rights if they did not become Canadian.  The Canadian government sought ways to increase Canadian citizenship amongst Indigenous peoples, even stripping away women’s status if she married a non-status man.  Additionally, Indigenous peoples who received a degree, became a doctor or lawyer, or served in the armed forces would automatically lose their status through enfranchisement.  These tactics all contributed to Canada’s vision of a nation without Indigenous cultures and practices.  In 1876, enfranchisement became legally compulsory in the Indian Act, which stood until 1961.  To continue learning about the Indian Act and how it continues to dictate the lives of Indigenous peoples in Canada, we recommend this article written by Bob Joseph that highlights 21 You May Not Know About the Indian Act.

“Our object is to continue until there is not a single Indian in Canada that has not been absorbed into the body politic.”

Canada’s deputy minister of Indian Affairs Duncan Campbell Scott in 1920

Until recent years, Indigenous history was out-of-sight for many Non-Indigenous peoples. Learning about Indigenous history and their existence currently is a step towards understanding the true, dark history and its continued implications today.  It teaches us about the important role that Indigenous peoples continue to have in shaping the lands and waters of Canada today.  Generations of Canadians were and continue to be uneducated and uninformed about the truth of Canada’s history such as the measures the government put in place in attempt to erase Indigenous peoples, like through an illegal Reserve and Pass system, and through residential schools.  Residential schools were supported by the Indian Act, as they shared the common goal to assimilate Indigenous peoples into Canadian society.  These institutions were federally funded that operated in Canada for more than 160 years, forcefully separating over 150,000 Indigenous children from their families.  The primary objective of Residential Schools was to remove and isolate children from the influence of their families, traditions and cultures, and to assimilate them into the ‘dominant culture’ as their way of life was deemed uncivilized.  The Residential school system forcibly removed children from their communities, bringing them to institutions where they were inadequately fed, clothed and housed.  Children suffered emotional, physical and sexual neglect and abuse at Residential schools. They were forced to abandon their language, cultural beliefs and traditions.  In 1920, the Indian Act made it mandatory for every Indigenous child between 7 - 16 years of age to attend an Indian Residential school.  The last school closed only in 1996 in Saskatchewan.  The closest schools to The Land Between bioregion operated in Brantford until 1970, and in a town called Spanish, located west of Sudbury, until 1962.  It is difficult to put a number on how many Indigenous children lost their lives at residential schools, however in early 2022 the confirmed number sits at 6,509 deaths and continues to grow.  Residential schools have long-lasting impacts through intergenerational trauma for Indigenous cultures, communities and families as they continue to heal from these injustices.