The Red Paper facts for kids
The Red Paper, also known as "Citizens Plus," was an important plan created in 1970. It was put forward by the Indian Association of Alberta (IAA), led by Harold Cardinal, a Cree political leader.
The Red Paper was a direct response to another plan called the 1969 White Paper. The White Paper was introduced by Pierre Trudeau's government, specifically by Jean Chrétien, who was the Minister of Indian Affairs. The White Paper was also known as the 1969 Statement of the Government of Canada on Indian Policy.
On January 22, 1970, the Indian Chiefs of Alberta wrote to Pierre Trudeau. They shared their concerns and mentioned they were working on a first draft of the Red Paper. They planned to finish it soon and present it to the government. The Red Paper was officially published in June 1970.
The White Paper suggested several big changes. For example, it wanted to remove the special legal status of "Indian" from the Constitution. It also aimed to make services for Indigenous peoples the same as for other Canadians. The White Paper wanted to help reserves that were "furthest behind" through economic growth. It also suggested transferring Crown lands to Indigenous peoples. The Canadian government hoped these changes would make Indigenous people equal in Canadian society.
The Red Paper disagreed with these ideas. It proposed different policies. It asked the Canadian government to keep the special legal status for Indigenous peoples. It also wanted to protect Indigenous culture, rights, lands, and traditions. The Red Paper insisted that the government should remain responsible for Indigenous peoples. It also asked for help for all Indigenous groups, not just the poorest. Finally, it wanted to update treaties and recognize that land title belongs to Indigenous peoples, held in trust by the Crown.
The White Paper wanted to end the unique legal status of Indigenous people. It aimed for their "full integration" into Canadian society. But the Red Paper suggested improving existing policies instead of getting rid of them. It offered many other ideas too.
Contents
Understanding the Past
The Red Paper talks about important historical events. These events shaped the concerns and requests made in the document. They show how Indigenous peoples' relationship with the Crown developed over time.
Treaties and Promises
When Canada wanted to expand westward, the government made agreements with Indigenous peoples. These agreements were called treaties. The Crown wanted to gain control of these lands. Joseph Howe, a government official at the time, spoke about the need to arrange with Indigenous groups for the "cession" (giving up) of their lands. This was supposed to happen with certain reserves chosen by the Indigenous peoples.
However, Section 91 of the Constitution Act, 1867 gave the federal government authority over these reserves. This happened even though no treaty allowed the government to take reserve land.
The Red Paper's authors believed that the Crown made treaties from a position of power. They thought Indigenous groups were in a weak bargaining position. Indigenous peoples were promised benefits forever in exchange for their land.
Sometimes, what was promised verbally to Indigenous groups was not written down in the treaties. This caused differences between the spoken promises and the written agreements. For example, Treaty 6 said Indigenous peoples could hunt and fish "subject to such regulations as may from time to time be made." But during negotiations, Lieutenant Governor Morris said, "You are at liberty to hunt as before."
Another example is when Indigenous peoples asked for medicine chests. This request was included in Treaties 6 and 7. However, it was not in Treaty 8, even though medical care was promised.
Residential Schools' Impact
It's important to know about Residential Schools to understand the Red Paper. These schools greatly affected Indigenous peoples in Canada. They show how past events still influence the present. These schools began in the 17th century and closed in the 1990s.
Churches mainly ran these schools, with funding from the federal government. The schools aimed to make Indigenous youth adopt mainstream culture. But they caused many negative problems for communities. Children forced into these schools faced harsh discipline and poor healthcare. They also suffered physical and emotional abuse. Their cultures and languages were deliberately suppressed.
In Canada's history, there were 130 residential schools. About 6,000 children died in them. When the White Paper was written, residential schools were still open. Understanding this history helps us see the trauma Indigenous peoples experienced. This trauma was still ongoing at the time.
Before the White Paper
Civil rights movements in the United States made people aware of how minorities were treated. Because of this, the Canadian government started looking at problems faced by Indigenous peoples. They asked Harry B. Hawthorn to research Indigenous communities across Canada.
Hawthorn's report concluded that Indigenous peoples were "citizens minus." He said that government failures caused unequal social conditions. His report also called for an end to any "forced assimilation programs." Residential Schools were a major form of forced assimilation in Canada.
Based on the report, the government talked with various Indigenous communities. They then planned to change the Indian Act. After regional talks, Indigenous leaders met with the federal government in Ottawa in 1969. The White Paper was written based on Hawthorn's findings and these discussions.
These historical events were very important. They helped shape the policies and ideas in the Red Paper.
Why the White Paper Was Rejected
The "Citizens Plus" document, or "The Red Paper," showed strong disagreement. The Indian Chiefs of Alberta were frustrated with the Canadian Federal government's 1969 White Paper. They felt it offered "despair instead of hope." So, the Red Paper offered counter-policies. It either completely rejected White Paper ideas or suggested alternatives.
One main point was the White Paper's idea to remove Indian status. The Citizens Plus document rejected this. It stated that keeping the legal status of Indigenous peoples was necessary for fair treatment. It said that justice means recognizing their special history, rights, and situations. They believed that keeping Indian status was vital to preserve their culture.
The Red Paper also rejected the idea of provincial governments taking over services for Indigenous people. It stated that the Federal Government is legally responsible for "Indians and Indian lands." This is based on the Constitution Act, 1867. They argued that Indigenous peoples paid for these services by giving up their land. Therefore, the Federal Government must provide services like health, welfare, and education.
The White Paper also suggested "enriched services" for those "furthest behind." The Red Paper simply rejected this. They believed these "enriched services" were just bribes. They thought the government was trying to make Indigenous peoples accept other policies. These policies, they felt, would further divide Indigenous communities.
The Red Paper also disagreed with the White Paper's ideas about Indigenous land. They agreed with the goal of giving control of "Indian lands" to "Indian people." However, the document pointed out two big mistakes by the Federal Government. First, the government thought that "Indian Reserve lands are owned by the Crown." The Red Paper corrected this. It stated that these lands are held in trust by the Crown, not owned by it.
This correction is important because land held in trust cannot be sold or broken up. So, the document was against any change that would allow individual ownership of land with the right to sell it. The Indian Chiefs of Alberta also corrected the government's assumption. The government thought land control could only happen if it was owned like regular property. The Red Paper concluded that "Indian lands...must be held forever in trust of the Crown."
The Red Paper also rejected the White Paper's proposal to repeal the Indian Act. While they believed the Indian Act needed review, the Red Paper argued it provides a legal framework. This framework is important for Indigenous people, similar to how laws apply to other Canadians.
Furthermore, the Red Paper rejected the idea of getting rid of the Indian Affairs Branch. It stated that this branch would always be needed. The Red Paper believed there were problems with the Indian Affairs Branch. However, they argued it should be changed to meet Indigenous peoples' needs. This would allow direct access to the Federal Government.
The Red Paper also rejected the appointment of a single Commissioner. The White Paper suggested this commissioner would be appointed by the government alone. The Red Paper disagreed with this. They rejected the proposal because the appointment would happen without any consultation.
Red Paper's Ideas
The "Citizens Plus" document (1970) not only rejected the White Paper's ideas. It also offered many suggestions and recommendations. These were meant to bring positive changes to Canadian Indian Policy. The Red Paper disagreed with the White Paper's approach. Instead, it strongly supported changing many existing Canadian policies. This was to better represent Indigenous voices in Canada.
Here are some of the corrections, new programs, and ideas the Red Paper suggested. These were both recommendations and demands from Indigenous Canadians. They were made in response to Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau’s White Paper (1969).
First, the Red Paper wanted a new way of looking at Indigenous presence in Canada. In a section called "Unique Indian Culture and Contribution," the Red Paper promoted the Canadian idea of 'Pluralism.' This means including everyone. It encouraged readers to see Indigenous history as "old colourful roots in that Canadian fabric of Diversity." In this section, the Red Paper also highlighted the value of Indigenous presence in Canada. It clearly stated, "Everyone should recognize that Indians have contributed much to the Canadian community."
The Red Paper believed that Indian affairs in Canada had been honest. It stated that Indigenous people had served Canada loyally under the Queen since the treaties began. Citizens Plus also explained how important it was to honor the many Numbered Treaties. This meant truly embracing the promises of land-sharing, not just land-holding.
The Red Paper listed two "Immediate Requirements" for the Government of Canada. These were:
- Appointing a Minister of Indian Affairs.
- Recognizing and Modernizing the Numbered Treaties.
- Minister of Indian Affairs: The Red Paper asked the Canadian Government to properly create a Minister of Indian Affairs position. This was part of Citizens Plus's rejection of getting rid of the Indian Act. Instead, it aimed to change the policy to better suit Indigenous needs. Citizens Plus requested this to set an example for better Indigenous representation in the Canadian government. The Red Paper demanded this be a full-time job. It needed enough resources to handle current Indian Affairs duties. It also needed to lead new policy responsibilities related to Indigenous peoples and lands.
- Modernizing Treaties: The Red Paper pushed for the 'Modernization of Treaties.' It repeated that the spirit of treaty-making should be taken as seriously, or even more seriously, than the White Paper's written policies. Treaties and their promises are meant to last forever. So, Citizens Plus asked the Government of Canada to keep the promises and agreements in the Treaties. The Red Paper demanded that the Government recognize the Numbered Treaties as binding legal documents. It insisted that the Government had a responsibility to maintain these documents. It also demanded that the government "incorporate the treaties in updated terms in an amendment to the Canadian Constitution."
Next, Citizens Plus called for better Economic Development for Indigenous Peoples. This was especially for economic systems on reserves and Indigenous land holdings. The Red Paper suggested the best way to help economic development was to trust and use Local Governments more. This meant municipal law and politics would be handled according to what best suited each Tribe. The Red Paper based this on the idea that Local Governments had been successful on a small scale. It asked the Canadian Government to give more responsibility to these systems. Citizens Plus stated that these local governments were ready for the challenge.
To increase Economic Development, the Red Paper also asked for more Government Support for Private Industry. To make Indigenous communities centers of economic growth, the Red Paper suggested: "The most effective way to encourage new enterprise in reserve communities is through tax incentives, training incentives, and labour guarantees." Private Industry would create profitable work opportunities in these communities. So, the Red Paper insisted on Federal assistance for Private Industry investment. This would help cover the high costs of investment for good work opportunities. This Economic Development would also involve the local effort of Indigenous peoples. The paper stated that the main effort must come first from the individual and their Tribe. However, the Red Paper called for a partnership between these communities and the Government. It claimed that, "The objectives are group achievement, stability of family, and growth of community pride."
What Happened After
The Red Paper's publication, along with much criticism across Canada, led to Pierre Trudeau taking back the White Paper. On June 3, 1970, leaders from the National Indian Brotherhood met in Ottawa. They officially supported the Red Paper as the response to the Canadian government’s White Paper.
On June 4, the Indian Brotherhood met with the full cabinet in Parliament. They presented both papers, Red and White. They symbolically rejected the White Paper by placing it on the table. Then, they handed the Red Paper to Pierre Trudeau. Trudeau admitted the White Paper was a failure. He said, "We had perhaps the prejudices of small 'l' liberals and white men at that who thought that equality meant the same law for everybody."
The White Paper was officially withdrawn in 1973. This was marked by the Supreme Court Case Calder v British Columbia (AG). In this case, Canadian law recognized for the first time that Indigenous title to land existed before North America was colonized.
