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The Infested Blanket: A Historical Tool of Germ Warfare Against Indigenous Peoples

The Infested Blanket refers to a historical method employed by Europeans to transmit smallpox to Native Americans, often unintentionally. This blanket, popular in trade, became a devastating weapon of genocide, with Europeans having resistance to the disease while indigenous people did not. Notable events include the British sending infested blankets to the Blackfoot Nation in the 1880s. Although some legal measures like the 1982 Constitution Act acknowledge Aboriginal rights, many argue these are insufficient and open to misinterpretation, raising ongoing issues of sovereignty and governance.

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The Infested Blanket: A Historical Tool of Germ Warfare Against Indigenous Peoples

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  1. Infested Blanket By: Anton V ENVR 4650

  2. What is an infested Blanket? • A tool historically used by Europeans to infect natives with Smallpox • Was not always done on purpose • Blankets were popular trading item • Devastating effect • Often acts of Genocide

  3. Smallpox • Often deadly disease • Highly contagious • Europeans have resistance • Domesticated animals • No resistance by indigenous people • Germ warfare by British, Americans • Oral evidence

  4. Liverating Johnson 1880 • Disagreement with Blackfoot Indians in Southern Alberta • Sent a cart full of infested blankets to Blackfoot Nation • Traditional tribal gathering with Blood and Peigan nations • The chiefs took the disease to their own tribes • Devastating effect

  5. Infested blanket today • 1982 Constitution Act • Section 35…recognizes and affirms existing aboriginal rights… • Indian sovereign nationhood, 3rd Gov. level • Aboriginals were not consulted • Sec. 35 was first pulled off by B.C. and Alberta • Later returned with a word “existing” in a backroom meeting

  6. 1982 Constitution Act Con’d • Limited aboriginal rights to pre 1982 era • Is not specific about rights • Sec. 35 is subject to interpretation • Sec. 37 Canadian government equal party, AFN represents a minority • Not Nation to Nation (treaties) • Some nations pulled out from the Assembly of First Nations that represented all treaty and status Indians in 1983 Canada’s Constitutional Conference (1/4)

  7. Coalition • 70,000 • New Brunswick Indians • Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (Quebec) • Brotherhood of Indian Nations (MB) • Treaty Six Alliance (Alberta) • Lil’Wat Nation (West Coast) • $2,520,000 in financial support to AFN • Outside Canada discussion

  8. 1982 Constitution Act Con’d • Unintentional effects • Constitutionally protects Aboriginal Rights • Doesn’t include self government • 1983 Report by the Special Committee of the House of Commons • Later analysis concluded that the self government rights are included • Subject to interpretation of Sec. 35

  9. References • Eric Robinson. (1985). The infested blanket, Canada’s Constitution-Genocide of Indian Nations. Queenston House Publishers • The Native Investment & Trade Association. (1998). Aboriginal Law in Canada, 1998: comprehensive overview of all recent major legal developments including landmark Delgamuukw Decision. • Background picture: http://www.wisdomoftheelders.org/prog207/images/ew_painted_tipis_assiniboin_curtis_a2zcds.jpg

  10. Questions ??? http://www.nativeweb.org/pages/legal/amherst/drawing.jpeg

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