Integration & Mobility

In an effort to keep Aboriginal people within a contained area, the Vagrancy Act was applied to Indigenous people on reserves so that the government could regulate the movement of Indigenous people. The Vagrancy Act also allowed the government to prosecute those Indigenous people who left the reserve. The Pass system began as a result of unofficial discussions between government officials in the early 1880s out of fear that prairie Indians might organize and form a Pan-Indian alliance in resistance of government policy. Following the 1885 resistance, the Pass System, which was an unofficial policy, became widely used. Books of passes were sent to Indian agencies in 1886. First Nations people could not leave the reserve without obtaining a pass from the Indian agent. They were required to disclose where they wanted to go, after which the agent determined whether or not they could leave. The agent also determined when they could leave and when they had to return.

The Canadian Government determined a list of "unloyal Bands" after the 1885 resistance, these Bands were dissolved and amalgamated with existing bands. One Arrow combined with Beardy, Muskeg Lake distributed between Ahtahkakoop and Mistawasis, Lucky Man spread among others in the Battleford and Peace Hills agencies, and Big Bear’s band was broken up, with many joining Thunderchild and others joining other Bands in Battleford and Fort Pitt agencies.

Fort Walsh, which had previously been a NWMP outpost and headquarters, was closed. This represents an attempt to reduce options for Aboriginal people who were reluctant to sign treaties and settle on reserves, as Fort Walsh had been a centre to receive rations and relief payments.

In 1881, Piapot had chosen a reserve in the Cypress Hills, but in 1882 he, as well as other leaders, were told that they would only receive rations if they moved out of the Cypress Hills onto selected reserves. Indian Agent Allen Macdonald chose a reserve for Piapot near Indian Head, and the chief left the Cypress Hills with approximately 470 followers in June of 1882. Many people died on the journey from the Cypress Hills to Indian Head. Upon arrival at Qu’Appelle in July of 1882, Piapot voiced his concerns with the rations given to his people and the reserve chosen for them. He returned to the Cypress Hills later that summer, insisting that his people be granted the reserve in the Cypress Hills they were promised. When rations were once again cut, Piapot and his people returned to the reserve near Indian Head, though by September 1883 he still had not made clear whether they intended to stay. After many deaths during the winter of 1883, Piapot left the reserve in the spring of 1884, and moved towards Pasqua’s reserve, where the NWMP prepared for a fight, but Piapot agreed to negotiate at Fort Qu’Appelle rather than engage in armed conflict.

After a week of Treaty negotiations Canadian Government representatives Alexander Morris (Lieutenant-Governor of the North-West Territories), David Laird (Minister of the Interior) and William J. Christie (Indian Commissioner) entered into a treaty agreement with various First Nations. In exchange for this title transfer, the Dominion of Canada (on behalf of the Queen) promised to provide presents, annual annuities, farming implements, to construct schools, and guaranteed Aboriginal hunting, trapping and fishing rights.

After the Conservatives returned to power in 1878, Edgar Dewdney was appointed to the newly created position of Commissioner of Indian Affairs for the North West Territories. Using this powerful position Dewdney implemented a policy he referred to as “sheer compulsion.” The policy entailed withholding rations and agricultural equipment (promised in many treaties) from First Nations that opposed the government’s actions or decrees. Furthermore, he incarcerated chiefs and restricted movement and gatherings between bands. As the name suggests this policy was meant to ensure compulsion to the will of the government.

The 1917 Soldier Settlement Act aimed to ease the transition to civilian life by making Western homesteads available to all veterans following the end of the First World War. Instead of granting land in the southern boreal forest, as was the original plan, they sought better agricultural land in the form of reserve “surpluses” instead. Six reserves surrendered over 72,000 acres of land for this veteran resettlement. However, Aboriginal veterans were not eligible for this land under the Soldier Settlement Act. Aboriginal veterans were granted location tickets for land on reserves – which could be granted without band council approval -- instead of the 160 acres that were promised to other veterans, and the loans available to them to purchase farming supplies were much smaller.