Drawing on the Indigenous Corporate Training Timeline

In 1492, explorer Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) “discovered” ‘The Americas’. Part of his ‘new world’ “discovery” included so-called Canada. As explained by Royal Museums Greenwich, he didn’t make this trek or discovery alone; aboard his other ships were Europeans who remained on this land & eventually became instrumental in taking it over. This was possible due to the Doctrine of Discovery, described by Indigenous Corporate Training Canada as a framework for Christian explorers to claim territories inhabited by non-Christians. By doing so, European settlers intended to increase their resources to gain more gold, silver, fish & furs for trading. In the Canadian context, Indigenous Peoples were displaced through the overhaul of their land & seizure of their culture & community. Then began the inception of what Canadians call home & what Indigenous folx were forced to surrender.   

Much of the discourse on the colonization of our country revolves around European settlers invading Canada, but this isn’t what it was always referred to. It is important to recognize that the continent of North America was & is still referred to as Turtle Island, by many Indigenous folks. Furthermore, Deshkan Ziibing (Antler River), also known as the Thames River, runs alongside the grounds of King’s University-College. This is why land acknowledgements hold such importance. (For more information on land acknowledgements, Sara Mai Chitty has created a More Than Words document). The land we call our home came at a great cost to the Indigenous individuals who were stripped of it. This section intends to showcase the events, acts, & policies that led to the formal government apology in 2008 & the Calls for Action in 2015.  

In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission issued its final report after seven years of convening & creating a repository of all reports in their center. It provided space for the survivors of the residential school system to speak their truth. By 2013, the Government of Canada proclaimed the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, occurring annually on September 30th. This date is significant since it was the anniversary of when the commission began. It is also referred to as Orange Shirt Day.  

Orange Shirt Day was the chosen symbol because of the story of Phyllis Jack Webstad. In 1973, Stswecem’c Zgat’tem First Nation Elder of Williams Lake, British Columbia, wore a bright orange shirt to her first day of residential school where it was stolen from her. She was only six years old. With this, comes the slogan “Every Child Matters”, a phrase that should not come as a reminder, but one that should simply be known.  

Below is a brief timeline, inspired by the Indigenous Corporate Training Brief Timeline & the Nelligan Law Legal Timeline. These events of Indigenous history in Canada are not exhaustive of the extent they underwent or what we intend to recreate for the future. It is important to emphasize that the events follow up to recent times, as this is still an ongoing pressing issue. 

1492: Explorer Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) “discovered” ‘The Americas’. Part of his ‘New World “discovery” included the country now known as Canada. 

1763: The Royal Proclamation was introduced & signed by King George III. This document gave limited recognition toward Indigenous communities, provided them with stipulations for treaty agreements, & eventually led to them being seen as hindrances rather than allies. 

1812: According to the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women, the War of 1812 created impoverished & famish conditions, forcing Indigenous nations to sign treaties which forfeited their land & resources. This led to mass amounts of illnesses, such as smallpox - introduced by the Europeans, & deaths. 

1867: At this time, Canada became a Confederation. Indigenous people were further seen as barriers as the new Canadians took over Turtle Island. The British North America Act, now known as the Constitution Act, gave jurisdiction to the federal government over land access. 

1876: The Indian Act was introduced allowing the federal government greater control over the rights, land, & resources of Indigenous folks. It required the assimilation of non-Indigenous practices, forced children into separate schools & attempted to eradicate their culture. 

1883: The establishment of residential schools dates back to 1883. There, hundreds of thousands of children were isolated from their homes & heritage to convert them to the Euro-Canadian standards. By 1996, they deliberated on the efficacy of the schools, & the last one was finally shut down. 

1960: The “Sixties Scoop” involved numerous Indigenous children being removed from their homes & placed in boarding schools or foster homes with a similar objective to the residential schools. By 1982, a revised Canadian Constitution acknowledged the rights of Indigenous individuals of all statuses. 

2008: Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, delivered a formal apology to the survivors, & their families, of the 139 residential schools. The speech cited the abuse & injustices within the 139 institutions. 

2015: The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada set forth on June 1, 2008, to report on the history & negative implications of the residential school system. It was active until 2015 when it concluded its mandate. As of 2019, September 30th is now Truth and Reconciliation Day. 

2019: The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls National Inquiry began in 2016 to address the violence against Indigenous girls, women & Two-Spirit folx. In May 2021, hundreds of mass graves were discovered on the grounds of residential schools; the exact number is still undetermined.