Tapassing Arrest

This case was intended to serve as government propaganda or promotional material for its policy relating to the prohibition of Indigenous ceremonial practices. The underlying intent was for the government's moral legitimacy to be strengthened by demonstrations of efficacy as it related to controlling the "Indian problem" and hastening assimilation or "civilization" efforts. In particular, this would appeal to the voting settler population, of which many were in favour of residential schools and other government policies of assimilation. Unfortunately for the government, media attention on the Tapassing arrest was sufficient to cause embarrassment within the Indian Affairs administration, resulting in his release.