1969 White Paper Policy
Who: PM Pierre Elliot Trudeau and Minister of Indian Affiars Jean Chrétien
What: White Paper Policy proposing the elimintion of the title "Indian", and the ending of legal relationship between Aboriginal peoples and the Canadian state as well as the abolishing of the Indian Act, meaning all Nativies would have the same responsibilities as other citizens.
When: 1969
Where; Proposed by the Canadian government, concerning all Indigenous people of Canada.
Why: On the grounds of supporting equal rights for the Aboriginal peoples.
I believe the Canadian government approached this situation entirely wrong. The Aboriginals of Canada do want equal rights but I think they are more concerned with the rights of their lifestyle. The goal of the Indian Act was to allow the Natives to hunt, gather, roam the forest and live without any disruptions of the growing 'modern' society around them. This seemed like the right idea, although wasn't a complete success. The White Paper Policy on the other hand, seems to be repeating the course of the residential schools except in a lower dosage meant to affect a higher concentration of people. The Aboriginal leaders opposed this with ferocity and ushered in a new era of politic organization for the Indigenous of Canada.
Harry Cardinal, a member of the Cree wrote:
"In spite of all government attempts to convince Indians to accept the white paper, their efforts will fail, because Indians understand that the path outlined by the Department of Indian Affairs through its mouthpiece, the Honourable Mr. Chrétien, leads directly to cultural genocide. We will not walk this path."
