Illegal and Unethical Systems Warrant Another Apology
Leanne Matthes – 196 504 008
INDG 100: Introduction to Indigenous Studies I
November 23, 2020
New learnings bring change to Canadian’s view of history. Regarding the colonization that occurred in Canada, many people do not understand just how far the Canadian government officials went to deter the Indigenous people from finding success. Apart from the well documented devastation created by the Indian Residential Schools, familial hardships were the result of other unfair and unnecessary treatments; the Pass System and the Permit System were implemented to control the Indigenous population and reduce their ability to succeed in the new country. The resilient people who were isolated to one of the five reserves bordering Crooked Lake, SK gained notable attention in 1995 when a monetary award was granted to them by the Federal Government of Canada in a long overdue land settlement. The Plains Cree tribe members of Cowessess First Nation #73 were not supported in spite of the commitments that were made to them when the Qu’Appelle Treaty (Treaty 4) was signed in 1874. They, and many other reserves stand to be recipients of another apology when understanding of the unethical practice of the Permit System, and the illegal practice of the Pass System are exposed. In the name of progress, the Canadian Government officials went ahead and intentionally took actions they knew would hinder the Indigenous people from finding success.
In 1873 Alexander Mackenzie was elected as the second Prime Minister of Canada. It was his decision to forge ahead and continue with the numbered treaties which were helping to clear the way for a trans-Canada railway. At the same time, the Indigenous population in what would later be known as Saskatchewan were suffering. The buffalo which they depended on were disappearing after the migration of new settlers. The Indigenous people were hesitant to sign the treaty so, “the Treaty Commissioners explained that the reserves were to assist Aboriginal people to adapt to a life without the buffalo hunt and that the Government would assist them in the transition to agriculture by providing tools and other farming implements.”[1] Treaty 4 was understood to contain provisions for the support of Indigenous people so they could learn and find success with agriculture. The bands were still hesitant, so a spokesperson for the Crooked Lake bands asked, “’Is it true that my child will not be troubled for what you are bringing him?’ Morris assured him that ‘the Queen’s power will be around him.’ The chiefs understood this to mean that the Crown would protect and provide for them for always.”[2] The next day Treaty 4 was signed and Treaty Grounds were declared. Thus, an agreement between the Crown and the Indians in southern Saskatchewan was sealed. Today, we honour this agreement by verbally recognizing the land we are on as Treaty 4 land, but the Canadian government has not yet honoured the other commitments that were made by Alexander Mackenzie and the Queen he was elected to represent.
The loyalty of the Indigenous people was shown again during the 1885 Northwest Rebellion of the Metis Nation, led by Louis Riel. Each band’s chief made the decision to join the Metis resistance or not.
“In a meeting called by Riel’s messengers at the Crooked Lakes reserves, the Indians decided to remain loyal. Chief Kahkewistahaw made the following statement: ‘Agent, you remember the time I promised I would go to my reserve. I also said that I and my young men’s fighting days were over. I stick to those words no matter what may be done up north, we will remain on our reserves and attend to our work’”[3].
However, the government officials feared the Indigenous people and worked to ensure they would not gather in large numbers. In an effort to control and contain the Indigenous people, “they used rations and food as leverage people to get on the reserves.”[4] After several bands gathered to see Riel and his group rebel at the Battlefords, the Indigenous people were confined to their reserves. In exchange for their continued loyalty of 11 years, the Indigenous people of Saskatchewan lost their freedom.
From 1885 onward under the Pass System, if a person were found off of their reserve without a pass from the Indian Agent, they were punished by law and sent to jail. A system similar to the Pass System, which had the same name, was discussed in previous years. However, “Commissioner Irvine of the NWMP argued in 1884 that a policy of confining Indigenous people to their reserves would be viewed as a breach of confidence. Indigenous people had signed various treaties with the Crown, many of which confirmed their right to hunt and travel freely.”[5] Operating outside of their authority, Sir John A. MacDonald (who was not the Prime Minister on record between 1873-78), Indian Commissioner Edgar Dewdney and Indian Affairs Commissioner Hayter Reed disregarded the considerations that were presented to them when they implemented an illegal system, essentially robbing the Indigenous people of their freedom. With regard to the Northwest Rebellion, as stated by Dr. Winona Wheeler, “Even though most Cree and Assiniboian peoples, most treaty peoples, did not engage in that resistance movement they paid for it.”[6]
The Pass System was enforced along with its legal counterpart, “The permit system [which] controlled people’s ability to sell anything freely. The Indian Agent was often the receiver for all proceeds of a sale so no money could change hands between settlers and First Nations. Permits have been found up till 1969.”[8] The Indigenous people were told that by signing the treaty they would be supported in the transition to agriculture, the actions of the Canadian government were not those of assistance. Although the Permit System is not well known, the effects were devastating, “Delays in getting passes and permits could result in the spoiling of produce and, therefore, a loss of income. Coupled with agricultural policies that typically valued White farmers over their Indigenous counterparts … stifles agricultural potential and damaged Indigenous economies.”[9] The Dominion of Canada had passed a law prohibiting an Indigenous people from operating in a profitable capacity, and the officials who enforced these laws did it in conjunction with the Pass System.
In 1874, 13 chiefs entered into an agreement by signing Treaty 4, at Fort Qu’Appelle, SK. Apologies are owed for the reduction in rights and freedoms of Indigenous people that occurred when the Canadian government officials dishonoured the signed treaties and when they implemented systems to control the Indigenous population. The result is seen as the family units of these Indigenous people continue to crumble under the pressure of systemic racism and disease. Many are broken people who have only ever experienced a life of dependance on the Canadian government. Decolonization will take a long time, however significant strides have been made with regard to Indigenous peoples becoming more fairly represented in the circles of influence. Cowessess’ land settlement in 1995 started a pathway of historical markers leading in a positive direction. The resilience of the Indigenous people is admirable, the patience that has been and continues to be demonstrated is astounding. Understanding will come with awareness and shall result in respect, more apologies and further healing for all of Canada.
Bibliography
Filice, Michelle. “Treaty 4”. In The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Article
published November 01, 2016; Last Edited November 01, 2016.
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/treaty-4
Government of Canada; Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. “The Numbered Treaties
(1871-1921).” Government of Canada; Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. June 04,
2013. Accessed November 23, 2020. https://www.rcaanc-
cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1360948213124/1544620003549.
Nestor, Rob, “Pass System in Canada”. In The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Article published July 10, 2018; Last Edited July 13, 2018. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/pass-system-in-canada
Stonechild, A. B. 1991. An Indian view of the 1885 uprising. In: Sweet Promises: a reader on Indian-White relations in Canada. University of Toronto Press. p 259-276.
Williams, Alex. Tamarack Productions, and V Tape. The Pass System. Toronto, ON: V Tape, 2015.
[1] Government of Canada; Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, “The Numbered Treaties (1871-1921),” Government of Canada; Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, June 04, 2013, accessed November 23, 2020,
https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1360948213124/1544620003549)
[2] Michelle Filice, “Treaty 4”. The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Article last edited
November 01, 2016,
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/treaty-4
[3] A. Blair Stonechild, “An Indian view of the 1885 uprising.” Sweet Promises: a reader on Indian White relations in Canada. (1991): 259-276.
[4]+6 Alex Williams, “The Pass System.” 2015.
[5] Rob Nestor, “Pass System in Canada”. In The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Article published July 10, 2018; Last Edited July 13, 2018. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/pass-system-in-canada
7-8 Alex Williams, “The Pass System.” 2015.
[9] Nestor, Rob, “Pass System in Canada” (2018).