HREQ 1880 Chapter Notes - Chapter journal 5: Settler Colonialism, Eviction

• School: York University
• Department: Human Rights and Equity Studies
• Course: HREQ 1880

Document Summary

This reading investigates the trajectories of settler colonialism across northwest north america before. 1900 and identifies three stages: the first, shaped by relationships between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples; the second, marked by the canadian settler project; and the third, marked by settler priorities. The canadian state sought to dispossess and marginalize indigenous peoples, who faced starvation, poverty, and disease. The process of establishing treaties and reserves was characterized by poor interpretation, deceptive negotiation, misconception, and failure. The canadian pacific railway surveyed the pacific slope in 1857, sparking the fraser river gold rush and bringing in tens of thousands of non-indigenous people. By 1858, the british government had officially recognized the mainland british columbia colony. The colonial and early provincial governments created reserves without regard to indigenous title or treaty. However, the provincial government continued to refuse recognition of indigenous title and treaties, and as a result, reserves were generally small and infrequently expanded.