Summary
In 1879, a work farm was created eight miles from Battleford, where a hired man supervised Indigenous farm labor that was done in exchange for rations. The goal was to entice local Indigenous people to continuously perform work in order to be educated. Although the output of the farm was not equal to the output of rations given to those working on it, it was still considered a successful venture because there was less congregation of Indigenous people seeking rations around Battleford than there would have been had they been given freely.
Implications
"Work for Rations" programming while encouraging work and development, also undermined treaty rights that stipulated rations and aid would be provided to Indigenous peoples regardless. By inputting policies like this, the Government allowed themselves the ability to deny rations and aid to Indigenous peoples who wouldn't partake in the programming, thus cheapening the government's costs and weakening Indigenous populations. In certain cases, Indigenous peoples partaking in "Work for Rations" were still denied aid even after they had laboured. This system was highly unfair.
Date
1879-00-00
Theme(s)