Read on Twitter
Little History moment for all of us prairie chickens, as we think about what’s happening to the Mi’kmaw fishing compounds in NS.
Canada has a long history of ignoring Treaty rights to protect the economic advantage of settlers.
In the West, agriculture was the economic plan
1/
Canada has a long history of ignoring Treaty rights to protect the economic advantage of settlers.
In the West, agriculture was the economic plan
1/
but it also a means to assimilate First Nations into “society.” In 1879, the government introduced the reserve farm instruction program.
Despite the many challenges, some Bands made a genuine effort to farm
2/
Despite the many challenges, some Bands made a genuine effort to farm
2/
and a few were really good at it
The farmers of Treaty 4 developed new techniques which they shared with newcomers to help them get started. In 1890, the first prize for wheat was won by reserve farms, both at Prince Albert and Regina!
(Congrats Louis O’Soup!)
3/
The farmers of Treaty 4 developed new techniques which they shared with newcomers to help them get started. In 1890, the first prize for wheat was won by reserve farms, both at Prince Albert and Regina!
(Congrats Louis O’Soup!)
3/
Some of the First Nations farms were more successful & commercially viable than settlers causing the government to implement policies to protect settlers advantage...
The 1889 Peasant Policy forced FN to and keep their operations small and their machinery rudimentary.
4/
The 1889 Peasant Policy forced FN to and keep their operations small and their machinery rudimentary.
4/
In the late 1880s, the Pass & Permit system was introduced which had a devastating effect on FN farming initiatives and gave serious advantage to settlers.
FN were forced to obtain a permit to sell; they were often not granted or granted too late, while their goods rot.
5/
FN were forced to obtain a permit to sell; they were often not granted or granted too late, while their goods rot.
5/
The Treaties granted freedom of movement, but the Pass System Permission from an Indian Agent, was needed to leave the reserve, and they needed to indicate, duration, reason and if they were carrying firearms. This was used to control and keep FN segregated.
6/
6/
So, if a FN farmer was caught off reserve...say...in town, w/out a Pass, trying to sell the crops he was told to harvest to participate in the economy he was forced to adopt, to be able to feed his family, the NWMP were happy offer him a free trip TO JAIL!
6/
6/
I stand with the Mi’kmaw, all the way from Treaty7 because, as a Canadian, I want these stories of a system designed to protect the advantage and privileges of settlers to be a thing of the past.
End/
End/
P.S. If the RCMP are still doing the job upholding white supremacy, yes, defund it.
But bigger change is needed. Colonialism needs to end. Reconciliation now.
But bigger change is needed. Colonialism needs to end. Reconciliation now.
