The year 1760 marked England’s victory over the French in North America. At that time, King George III issued his instructions on the administration of the new colonies by means of an official document, the Royal Proclamation of 1763. This edict of the King and the various treaties concluded with the Europeans are constantly cited by Aboriginal peoples
Aboriginal peoples
Often used interchangeably with “Indigenous peoples” and “First Peoples”, Aboriginal peoples refers to a diversity of nations and peoples with deep roots in the territories they have occupied for millennia. Their histories are intertwined through the impact of colonization and the cultural or physical genocides perpetrated against them by colonizing states. The Constitution Act, 1982 recognizes that there are three distinct Aboriginal peoples: Indians (now called First Nations), Métis and Inuit.
There are 11 Aboriginal nations recognized in Québec: Abenaki (Waban-Aki), Algonquin (Anishinabeg), Atikamekw Nehirowisiwok, Cree (Eeyou), Huron-Wendat, Inuit, Maliseet (Wolastoqiyik), Mi’gmaq (Micmac), Mohawk (Kanien’kehá:ka), Innu (Montagnais) and Naskapi. Across Canada, there are nearly sixty Aboriginal nations.
in their movement to assert their ancestral rights and distinct status.
Should Aboriginal peoples be referring to such old documents? Some would say that it is opportunistic to resort to dusty old texts like proclamations and treaties. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Presumably, Louis Newashish (right) chief of Manawan, photographed in Weymontachie (Wemotaci) in July 2013 with an unidentified person.
Photo credit: Photographer unknown, collection of Pierre Lepage
True or False? The Royal Proclamation of 1763 is often referred to as the Magna Carta of Aboriginal rights, and the clauses relating to these peoples are still valid.
That’s right! The Proclamation contains the historical foundations or basis of Canada’s relations with the Aboriginal peoples. In the eyes of the British, these peoples were of the utmost importance, and for this reason more than a third of the Proclamation is devoted to a detailed description of relations with Aboriginal peoples.
Although certain provisions of this royal edict are no longer valid today (the limits of the colony of Québec as it existed in 1763, for example), the provisions concerning Aboriginal peoples have never been abolished. Hence, in legal jargon, they still have force of law in Canada.
