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Indigenous peoples are the descendants of those who occupied the Canadian territory prior to the arrival and permanent settlement of Europeans. They comprise a relatively small share of Canada’s population, less than 10 per cent by most measures, and occupy a relatively low socio-economic position within Canadian society. It is important to remember that Indigenous Canadians are not a homogeneous group and the language used to identify Indigenous Canadians has changed over time. The term “Indian” is no longer used outside of legal or historical references—in its place is the term “First Nations.” As well, it is important to remember that the Indigenous Canadian population is composed of three groups: First Nations, the Métis, and Inuit.
Dating back to the Royal Proclamation of 1763, pre- and post-Confederation governments in Canada have attempted to define their relationship with Indigenous Canadians. The government has a poor history of recognizing the rights and treaties that have been given to Indigenous Canadians over time. One of the most significant pieces of legislation passed by the government was the Indian Act of 1876. The Indian Act designated Indian status to those who belonged to bands recognized by the federal government. Indian status guarantees certain entitlements to status Indians. Indian bands were given land mostly located in rural and remote areas known as reserves. The reserves are subject to particular legal provisions that effectively established a guardian relationship between the federal government and the Indians living on them.
In 1969 the federal government introduced the White Paper, which proposed to abolish reserves and other legal structures that treated Indigenous people differently. The proposals were abandoned, however, when Indigenous leaders vigorously opposed them. The White Paper marked the real beginning of the politicization of the Native movement in Canada, which saw Indigenous peoples create organizations such as the Assembly of First Nations to press for their demands such as self-government.
In 1996 the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples made sweeping recommendations that took the opposite approach of the White Paper. The proposals included the constitutional entrenchment of the inherent right to self-government, a separate Indigenous parliament, and much more money for Aboriginal programs.
In recent years, a new generation of Indigenous Canadian activists has drawn attention to a number of issues such as recognition of treaties, environment, economic self-sufficiency, and missing and murdered indigenous women. Much of the contemporary movement was captured in a series of protests and events emerging out of the Idle No More campaign which initially surfaced on social media in late 2013.