Summary
Following the Work for Welfare policy, Indian Agent Rae refused to provide rations requested by members of the Muskeg Lake band. Rae noted his disappointment in the amount of improvements that had taken place on the reserve, and band members promised to improve their work if they were provided more provisions. Rae threatened to not provide rations until winter if they did not immediately go out to work in the fields, which eighteen men did.
Implications
While the Canadian Government was legally obligated to provide rations to Indigenous peoples without the Work for Welfare policy, the crown implemented the policy to allow themselves to withhold rations and aid. The disproportional amount of power afforded to Indian Agents allowed them to make critical decisions that would affect entire communities, and carried out methods of starvation in order to subjugate Indigenous peoples.
Date
1880-09-00
Community
Theme(s)