1. Assimilation The Treatment of Aboriginals in the 1920s.

2. What is assimilation? • With regards to people it means to bring one group into another. • In the case of Canadian Aboriginals, it means to make them like ‘white’ Canadians. • The were encourage to forget their customs, language and lifestyle.

3. Indian Affairs and The Church • When settlers moved in to Native reserves, armed conflict often took place. • The Department of Indian Affairs outlawed the potlatch and sundance ceremonies.

4. Residential Schools • The second phase of assimilation. • The plan was to remove native children from their homes by force and teach them the white ways of life.

5. Continued…. • These schools were usually run by the church. • They were not allowed to speak their language or even visit their parents. • Physical abuse was commonly practiced.

6. Residential School in Soiux Lookout • The residential school system remained in place until the 1980s with the last one closing in the 90s.

7. Promises not kept • Generations of young children lost the knowledge of their ancestors. • When they returned home they were expected to live like white society. • The government provided little funding to maintain basic services on reserves.

8. Canadian Shame • With the quality of reserve life so terrible, it lead to alcohol abuse and suicide. • Groups like the League of Indians and the Native Brotherhood of B.C. formed to fight for rights of aboriginals. F.O. Loft – Mohawk chief and veteran