Racism and FNMI Peoples In considering the changing nature of contemporary Canadian society, we must also consider and respond to the impact of racism on FNMI peoples. Historical accounts of FNMI people about community life, governance, beliefs, and customs have lacked accuracy. Sadly, what has been written historically has often been based on stereotypes or misconceptions that reinforced the definitions and descriptions of “Indians” in legislation and the Indian Act. The original version of the Indian Act defined “Indians” as “non-persons under the law.” The treatment of FNMI people historically and to this day reflects the dominant cultural beliefs of “European superiority.” This resulted in policies and practices that dealt with the “Indian problem” in very destructive ways. For example, residential schools were used to “get rid of the Indian in the Indian child” by forbidding the use of Indigenous languages, traditions, spirituality, customs, and ways of knowing held by the generations of Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island. This experience was cultural genocide and has resulted in intergenerational physical, mental, spiritual, sexual, and emotional trauma. The information about this destructive and oppressive period in Canada’s history has not been a part of the educational system and curricula until recently. Generations of Canadians do not understand why Indigenous people are not “just getting over it.” This statement is very commonly heard and made by many Canadians, which is why teaching and learning about the true causes that lie behind many of the social and family issues of FNMI peoples becomes imperative. It is important that all Canadians understand how and why racism experienced by FNMI people is both similar and different from the racism experienced by Canadians whose ancestors were from other countries and that came and settled here long ago. Many of the people who have come to Canada from other countries over the centuries did so for many reasons, but generally they were seeking freedom, security of life, and opportunities to flourish, and were to some extent welcomed, although that may have changed over time. Racism and FNMI Peoples 7 How are the Experiences with Discrimination of Indigenous and Non- Indigenous Peoples Similar? The Changes in Citizenship and Rights in Canada from 1867–2016 timeline that follows provides an overview of selected examples of how different groups, such as women, Indigenous peoples, gays and lesbians, and people of different religious, ethnic, and racial backgrounds, were discriminated against in Canadian law and struggled for their human rights. The discrimination that various groups experienced over Canada’s history was similar in many ways. For example, citizenship and voting rights were denied, given, and taken away at various times for certain groups including FNMI, women, Mennonites, Japanese Canadians, black people, etc. For example, both women and FNMI peoples of Canada were at one time for legal purposes deemed not to be “persons” and therefore denied the right to vote. However, in 1916 when women gained the right to the vote in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta provincial elections, this only applied to some women. Indigenous women and women from some other ethnic groups were excluded. It also shows how, over time, human rights and related legislation have evolved to protect Canadians of various backgrounds and groups from discrimination. 8 Creating Racism-Free Schools through Critical/Courageous Conversations on Race CHART 1: TIMELINE—CHANGES IN CITIZENSHIP AND RIGHTS IN CANADA FROM 1867–2016 First Nations men receive Treaty #1 is signed at Treaty #5 is signed The Indian Act is passed More than 140 church- the right to vote in Upper Fort Garry. This at Norway House. by the Government of run Indian residential 1876 1875 1867 federal elections, but 1871 treaty covers much of The treaty and its Canada. schools operate across only if they deny their southern Manitoba. 1908 adhesion cover Canada. While most Aboriginal heritage approximately the schools were closed in and renounce their northern two-thirds of the 1970s, the last one right to be considered Manitoba. 1880s–1996 remained open until members of their home 1996. communities. People of Chinese and Only people who have the right to vote in a provincial Practicing Indigenous Canada imposes a head Japanese heritage, election can vote in a federal election. Although spiritual ceremonies is tax on immigrants from 1902 1883 1900 and First Nations black Canadian men can vote and participate in local made illegal. 1888 China. persons, are denied government—if they meet income, property ownership, the provincial vote in and age (over 21) requirements—all women and many British Columbia (so people who belong to visible minorities, including most are denied the federal Aboriginal persons, cannot vote. vote). Federal Immigration Act ”Hindus” are denied the In B.C., women who own Chinese-Canadians are Alberta grants municipal allows the government to provincial vote in B.C., households are deprived denied the provincial vote to widows and 1910 1907 1908 1909 1906 deport immigrants if so they do not qualify to of the municipal vote, vote in Saskatchewan, “spinsters” but not to within two years of arriving vote federally (most of and people identified so they cannot vote married women. they are deemed financially those denied the right as Chinese, Japanese, federally. burdensome, insane, infirm, were actually Sikhs from “Asiatic,” and First diseased, handicapped, or the Punjab). Nations are also denied they commit crimes of it. [“Asia” is conceived “moral turpitude,” or they broadly, going as far west are jailed or hospitalized. as Turkey and Syria.] The right to vote by War Measures Act declared in force. Ontario Schools Question Section 38 of the mail is granted to “Enemy aliens” must register, their rights are limited, crisis sees French almost Immigration Act, 1911 1915 1914 military electors in and 8,500 men are interned in work camps. banned in schools; 1913 prohibits for one year active service. First Nations enlisted military men gain the vote English becomes official “any immigrants (while in service only). language of instruction. belonging to the Negro Immigration is effectively closed to Indians (people from India). race, which race is Saskatchewan prohibits Chinese businesses from hiring deemed unsuitable white women. to the climate and Ontario prohibits “Oriental” businesses from hiring requirements of white women. Canada.” Women whose ethnic group is British Columbia and Ontario extend the vote to women whose ethnic group is not excluded. First Nations veterans not excluded gain the right to The Military Voters Bill allows military personnel overseas to vote and have their votes lose the vote. Women 1917 1916 the provincial vote in Manitoba, transferred to ridings in Canada as the government saw fit. The votes are used to change the 1918 aged 21 and over Saskatchewan, and Alberta. outcome in 14 ridings. whose ethnic group The Manitoba government The Wartime Elections Bill allows women who are British subjects and have close relatives is not excluded gain legislates that English is in the armed forces to vote in federal elections. Civilian men who do not meet the property the federal vote the official language of requirement but who have a son or grandson in the army are temporarily given the right to across Canada and the instruction, effectively banning vote. Mennonite and Doukhobor men lose their voting rights along with all conscientious provincial vote in instruction in French (and other objectors and all citizens naturalized since 1902 who were originally from “enemy alien” Nova Scotia. languages). (meaning non-English speaking) countries. Racism and FNMI Peoples 9 CHART 1: TIMELINE—CHANGES IN CITIZENSHIP AND RIGHTS IN CANADA FROM 1867–2016 Mennonites are denied entry into Canada. Ontario and the Immigration of Hindus and Sikhs (Indians) is allowed. Women whose ethnic Yukon Territory extend the vote to women not excluded on The right to vote in federal elections is now established group is not excluded 1919 1920 the basis of their ethnicity. by federal, not provincial, law. British subjects by birth 1922 gain the provincial vote Saskatchewan drops restriction on Chinese businesses’ or naturalization are qualified to vote, but some foreign- in New Brunswick. hiring policies (with respect to white female employees). born citizens continue to be excluded. (However, the Women whose ethnic group is not excluded gain the federal vote was not given to Aboriginal peoples, or to provincial vote in New Brunswick. visible minorities barred from provincial voters’ lists, Women in Canada gain the right to stand for the House of such as persons of Asian descent.) Commons. Mennonites regain voting rights. Chinese-, Japanese-, ‘Race’ as a reason to England’s Privy Council Alberta passes the Mennonites are once Hindu-, or Indian- deny the federal vote overturns the Canadian Sexual Sterilization Act, again allowed entry to 1939 1938 1929 1923 Canadians are again is re-protected by Supreme Court ruling allowing the sterilization 1928 Canada. denied the right to vote legislation. and declares women are of any person deemed in provincial elections legal persons. “mentally defective.” in B.C. Supreme Court decides First Nations men women are not “persons” serving in the military under the law and cannot gain the vote. serve on the Senate. Women whose ethnic Japanese-Canadians Canada and 25 other countries fighting the Rome-Berlin- Ontario enacts the group is not excluded are interned as “enemy Tokyo Axis decide to affirm their support by signing the Racial Discrimination 1941 1942 1940 gain the vote in Quebec. aliens.” Declaration of the United Nations. This important 1944 Act, prohibiting the document pledged the signatory governments to the publication or display maximum war effort and bound them against making a of any notice, sign, separate peace. or symbol indicating racial discrimination. Japanese-Canadians Universal Declaration of Human Rights is adopted by the Chinese- and Indo-Canadians (“Hindus”) gain the vote in gain the vote in B.C.