Indigenous Peoples 1980
A difficult situation
In 1980, Indigenous Peoples made up less than 1% of Quebec’s population, but their numbers had increased rapidly since the 1960s. Indigenous and non-Indigenous people living in Quebec noted many inequalities faced by Indigenous Peoples before and after this time period. For example, many Indigenous peoples had incomes that were significantly lower than that of most English or French Canadians around 1980.
A lot of these inequalities were brought on by issues related to colonization. For example, the economy in many Indigenous communities changed greatly in a matter of a few years. Indigenous societies in Canada were now sedentary and relied on money for survival. The fur trade was no longer profitable and jobs in many of their communities were limited. Moreover, many jobs required Indigenous Peoples to have formal education or training that was not available in their communities. All of these changes impacted the financial security of Indigenous Peoples.
Many Indigenous communities did not have access to basic needs like clean water and hospitals. When they did have access to medical care, it was often not in their first language. This impacted the physical and mental health of Indigenous adults, children, and infants. Finally, residential schools and their ongoing legacy impacted and continues to impact the mental health of many Indigenous peoples.
Negotiations and claims
In 1969, the Government of Canada proposed the abolishment of the Indian Act. This would have impacted the status of Indigenous People in Canada. Some Indigenous people were strongly opposed to this proposition because they believed it would lead to the disappearance of their cultures. The government finally decided not to abolish the Indian Act. Since then, many Indigenous Nations from across Canada have come together to make joint claims and negotiate different revisions to aspects of the Indian Act.
Around 1980, many First Nations advocated for increased autonomy for band councils that administer the reserves. Many Indigenous Nations also wanted to be more involved and have more control over the the economic development of their regions. Finally, many Indigenous communities were and still are concerned about the preservation of their cultures and languages. Some Nations, such as the *Kanyen’kehà:ka (Mohawks) of Kahnawake [Kahnawà:ke] have established schools to teach their language and traditions.
In 2020, there are 11 Indigenous Nations with communities on the territory: Anishinaabe (Algonquians), Atikamekw, Eeyou, Innus / Innu, Inuit, Kanien’kehà:ka, Mi’gmaq, Naskapi, W8banaki (Abenaki), (Huron)Wendat and Wolastoqiyik.
We encourage you to learn more about each of these Nations individual histories, traditions, and current realities.
Kanyen’kehà:ka – Means “People of the Flint”. An Indigenous Nation who traditionally lived in the Eastern New York area all the way north to the St. Lawrence. They still live in these areas, and in towns in Canada like Kahnawà:ke, Kanehsatà:ke, Akwesasne, Tyendinaga and the Six Nations reserve in Brantford, Ontario. Some people use the term “Mohawk” to refer to the Kanyen’kehà:ka Nation, but Kanyen’kehà:ka is usually the preferred name used by members of the nation.