Policies In Atlantic Canada :: essays research papers

From the period of early contact from 1534-1736 it was concluded that Indian religion was useless and therefor did not pose an impediment in the process of converting Indians to Christianity. The process of conversion included a period of persuasion and instruction followed by baptism. The French missions were successful in areas where there was permanent Aboriginal settlement. These efforts influenced all areas of social policy especially the belief that all Aboriginals should be converted to Christianity. The period of the Royal Proclamation from 1783-1839 was a result of British Military policy that recognized the importance of First Nation allies in the victory over France. In 1755 during the initial stages of the war, the British developed an Indian department with a complete suerintendent of Indian Affairs. This was not successful in preventing colonists from appropriating First Nation land. When Britain was successful in the war with France, France ceded most of it’s North American territory and the First Nations were not satisfied being under British rule. This led to Pontiacs rebellion where several British forts were captured. The Royal Proclamation was essentially drafted on the advice of the colony concerning measures to reconcile with First Nations. It was the first constitution under British rule that recognized that the territory outside of the colonial boundaries was reserved as hunting grounds for First Nations. The Royal Proclamation was the legal base for British-Indian policy. The transition of the Royal Proclamation into Canadian social policy occurred when colonial correspondents indicated that First Nations were not longer military allies. Colonial policies were changed by an administration aimed at civilizing First Nations way of life. Of particular importance was the schooling of First Nation children. Gifts that were originally used to compensate for land surrendered to the British were now conditional on the basis of whether or not First Nation parents sent their kids to school. Those parents who did not abide by this rule were subject to criminal charges.