White Paper on Indian Policy

Category: Policy/Strategy
Binomial Name: Canadian Federal Government
Date: 1 January 1969
Sub Category:Policy/Strategy
Place:
State/Country:Canada
Subject Matter:Cultural Heritage
Summary Information:
The White Paper on Indian Policy was a comprehensive land claim policy drafted by the Canadian Federal Government in 1969. It was a rejection of the former approach taken by the Government in regard to Indian policy and proposed to abolish the Indian Act and dismantle the Indian Affairs branch of Government within a five year period. The policy was aimed at assimilating Aboriginal affairs into the mainstream. It rejected land claims as incapable of remedy and treaties as regressive and argued that provisions of services for Indians should be provided through regular provincial agencies rather than specialised bodies. In the Supreme Court of Canada decision of Calder v Attorney General of British Columbia in 1973, however, native title was re-affirmed at common law, and in response the Federal Government issued a Statement on Aboriginal Claims which declared its willingness to negotiate on traditional interests in land, in August that same year.

Related Entries

Organisation
  • Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
  • Government of Canada
  • Event
  • Royal Proclamation 1763
  • Legislation
  • Indian Acts
  • Case Law
  • Calder v Attorney-General of British Columbia (1973)

  • Glossary

    Policy/Strategy