1492 - 1779
1763 - 1791
1764 - 1836
1811 - 1867
1867 - 1870
1871 - 1875
1876 - 1877
1878 - 1898
1899 - 1922
1923 - 1950
1951 - 1981
1982 - 2003
Sources

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Introduction

Curriculum Links

Since the time of European First Contact, the course of Aboriginal history in Canada has been deeply altered by relations with Europeans and the laws they imposed on Aboriginals - laws like the Indian Act. Furthermore, major and minor treaties played a significant and important role in charting the course of European - Aboriginal relations within the country.

This section of the Canada in the Making site will look at these treaties and laws, and the events that preceded and followed these changes.

1492 - 1779: From First Contact to the Peace and Friendship Treaties
1763 - 1791: Royal Proclamation (1763) and Québec Act (1774)
1764 - 1836: Pre-Confederation Treaties I
1811 - 1867: Pre-Confederation Treaties II
1867 - 1870: British North America Act, 1867 and Sale of Selkirk Treaty Lands (1869)
1871 - 1875: First Five Numbered Treaties
1876 - 1877: The Indian Act, 1876 and Numbered Treaties Six and Seven
1878 - 1898: Deculturation
1899 - 1922: Last of the Numbered Treaties
1923 - 1950: Williams Treaties and Land Transfer Agreements
1951 - 1981: Aboriginal Rights Movement
1982 - 2003: Constitutional Reforms and Crises
Sources

To better understand the evolution of the Constitution, be sure to read the pages explaining:
The Written and the Unwritten Constitution
Representative Government
Responsible Government
Common Law and Civil Law

To view the primary texts on this site, you may need a password. If your school does not have access to the Gov Docs collection, ask someone at your school to contact CIHM. It's free for schools!