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44-530: It is referred to as the McKenna–McBride Commission after the two men who signed the agreement that created it in 1912: federal commissioner Joseph McKenna and BC Premier Richard McBride . The Commission was chaired by Nathaniel Whitworth White , and, along with McKenna, included the following commissioners : James Andrew, Edward Ludlow Wetmore , Samurez Carmichael, James Pearson Shaw , and Day Hort MacDowall . The commissioners travelled throughout

88-757: A body created by then Prime Minister John A. Macdonald for the purpose of administering the Dominion Lands Act of 1872. When the Department of the Interior dissolved in 1936 (with the Natural Resources Act s transferring control over natural resources to the Prairie provinces ), Indian Affairs fell under the purview of the Department of Mines and Resources . However, the need for social and health-care services in

132-541: A propaganda piece for the Canadian Government entitled The Hudson's Bay route: a compilation of facts with conclusions , which argued for a railway route to Hudson's Bay. James appears in Henry James Morgan's book Canadian men and women of the time , which credits him with an 1895 pamphlet entitled Sir John Thompson: a study. However, no record of this pamphlet remains. In February 1918, James published

176-534: A result of disorganized handling of the original document. In addition, the provincial government led by William John Bowser refused to act on the report, reportedly wishing to focus on an upcoming election. The victory of the Liberal Party of B.C. under Harlan Carey Brewster in 1916 caused further delays after the new government made new demands, including that a clause requiring indigenous consent to any reserve border changes be removed. In 1923, after that clause

220-618: A series of articles in British Columbia newspapers where he argued that the dominion should return lands to B.C. that were ceded in order to build the transcontinental railway. In return, the province should give up its claim to lands removed from reserves as part of the recommendations of the McKenna–McBride Royal Commission . This was less than a year after his firing, and the interference in his former work reportedly annoyed his former boss, Duncan Scott. In 1911, James

264-681: A whole. It is also used by Aboriginal people who live within Canada who claim rights of sovereignty or Aboriginal title to lands. CIRNAC is one of the federal government departments responsible for meeting the Government of Canada's obligations and commitments to First Nations, Inuit and Métis , and for fulfilling the federal government's constitutional responsibilities in the North. The department's responsibilities are largely determined by numerous statutes, negotiated agreements and relevant legal decisions. Most of

308-672: Is represented in only the Northwest Territories (NWT) and Nunavut (NU) regional offices and headquarters. The Nunavut Land Claims Agreement was implemented in 1993 between the Inuit of the Nunavut Settlement Area and the Government of Canada subject to the Constitution Act of 1982 . The territory of Nunavut was formed in 1999. CIRNAC has major responsibilities for managing the lands and resources of Nunavut. With respect to

352-606: The Department of Indigenous Services , or ISC). CIRNAC, along with ISC, were established to replace the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development ( DIAND ). The department is overseen by two cabinet ministers, the Minister of Crown–Indigenous relations (whose portfolio includes treaty rights and land negotiations) and the Minister of Northern Affairs . Its headquarters is in Terrasses de la Chaudière , in downtown Gatineau, Quebec . " First Nation " has been used since

396-782: The Government of Canada as a third-class clerk in the Privy Council Office in Ottawa. On May 23, 1887, James was assigned to the Department of Indian Affairs , where he became private secretary to the superintendent general, Sir John A. Macdonald . On 1 July 1888 he was promoted to second-class clerk. During this time, he also studied law. His influential position and law background may have contributed to his being selected for later assignments negotiating with indigenous peoples. In January 1897, superintendent general Clifford Sifton selected James as his private secretary. Later that year, James

440-645: The Office of the Federal Interlocutor . CIRNAC also manages the resources of federal lands, including land and subsurface leases and resource royalties. In 1755, the British Crown established the Indian Department . The Governor General of Canada held control of Indian affairs, but usually delegated much of their responsibility to subordinate civil secretaries. In 1860, the responsibility for Indian affairs

484-516: The 1970s instead of the word Indian , which some people found offensive. The term Indian is used for legal and historical documents such as Status Indians as defined by the Indian Act . For example, the term "Indian" continues to be used in the historical and legal document, the Canadian Constitution and federal statutes. The then-Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada used

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528-469: The Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development was created as a result of the Government Organization Act, 1966 . Effective June 13, 2011, the department began using the applied title Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada in addition to the legal name of the department. The Northern Development part of the department has its origins in the Department of the Interior ,

572-529: The Eastern Arctic Patrol beginning in the late 1940s. In August 2017, the Trudeau ministry announced the dissolution of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development ( DIAND ) and announced that it would be replaced by the Department of Indigenous Services and the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. This came into effect as of July 15, 2019. The transition

616-482: The Government of Canada sponsored annual expeditions to the Canadian North . These expeditions yielded extensive photographic documentation of the lives of northern indigenous peoples by participating explorers, engineers, scientists and medical staff. Explorer, photographer, filmmaker, writer and lecturer Richard S. Finnie accompanied numerous expeditions to the North. His first voyage was aboard CGS Arctic , under

660-543: The Interior also held the position of Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs after the Indian Affairs Department was established in 1880. In 1939, federal jurisdiction for Indian peoples was interpreted by the courts to apply to the Inuit. A revised Indian Act was passed in 1951. From 1950 to 1965, the Indian Affairs portfolio was carried by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration . On October 1, 1966,

704-522: The McKenna–McBride agreement. It created a royal commission with representatives of both governments to examine reserves and adjust their size, with the consent of indigenous peoples. In return, British Columbia would abandon its policy of “reversionary interest,” which stated that any land removed from a reserve within B.C. would become property of the provincial government. McBride allegedly refused to consider "aboriginal title or native franchise" within

748-544: The North led to the establishment of the Northern Administration and Lands branch in 1951, which led to the creation of the Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources in 1953. This became the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development in 1966. Under the Federal Identity Program , the department is known as Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Beginning in the early 20th century,

792-529: The Provinces Responsible for Indian Affairs. In 1876, the Indian Act , which remains the major expression of federal jurisdiction in this area, was passed and a series of treaties were concluded between Canada and the various Indian bands across the country. The responsibility for Indian Affairs and Northern Development rested with various government departments between 1873 and 1966. The Minister of

836-411: The addition of about 87,000 acres (350 km) of land (with an assessed value of only $ 444,838.80). So, while the area of the added reserve lands was nearly double that of that withdrawn, the value of the land added was only about one-third the contemporary valuation of the land taken away. The implementation of the report did not begin until 1923. On July 19, 1924, an amended McKenna–McBride Commission

880-472: The adequacy, size, and borders, of the province's reserves. At this time James reported to Duncan Campbell Scott , the deputy superintendent general of the Department of Indian Affairs. James reportedly requested a salary increase of $ 1,400 yearly from Scott, as well as a job in Victoria, neither of which Scott committed to. On June 30, 1916, the commission concluded its work, and recommended a number of changes to

924-539: The best-paid Department of Indian Affairs officer in the region at the time. His new work took him on inspection tours of Catholic boarding and industrial schools from Fort Frances , Ontario , to St Albert , Alberta. On May 24, 1912, James was reassigned to become the Dominion of Canada's representative in negotiations with British Columbia regarding a number of grievances lodged by indigenous peoples. He reached an agreement with Premier Richard McBride that became known as

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968-445: The borders of reserves in the province. Overall, the commission recommended doubling the total size of B.C. reserves, and reducing the value of the land they occupied by around 66%. After the commission disbanded, Scott assigned McKenna to a supervisory position in Victoria, where he was to ensure the timely printing of the commission's report, and to secure British Columbia's acceptance of it. There were delays in printing, allegedly as

1012-625: The command of Captain Bernier in 1924. During the 1930–1931 expedition to the Western Arctic, Finnie served as filmmaker. Lachlan T. Burwash, an exploratory engineer with the Department of the Interior, made a survey of the east coasts of Hudson Bay and James Bay , and the Belcher Islands in the late 1920s. Zoologist Joseph Dewey Soper travelled to the Baffin Island (Qikiqtaaluk) region in

1056-530: The department's programs, representing a majority of its spending - are delivered through partnerships with Aboriginal communities and federal-provincial or federal-territorial agreements. CIRNAC also works with urban Indigenous people, Métis and Non-Status Indians (many of whom live in rural areas). CIRNAC supports indigenous peoples (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) and Northerners in their efforts to: CIRNAC also works with urban First Nations, Métis and Non-Status Indians (many of whom live in rural areas) through

1100-438: The draft document, which was similar to previous treaties. The first proposed change was that indigenous peoples should be given the option of receiving land in severalty (separated portions) as opposed to a unified reserve. The second proposed change was that indigenous peoples receiving annuities from the treaty should receive a lump sum payment instead. Final decisions on the wording of the treaty were made by Sifton, who accepted

1144-727: The first proposal, and rejected the second based on Laird's advice. James then travelled to Fort St John in B.C., as well as Fort Dunvegan , Fort Chipewyan , and Fort McMurray in Alberta, to negotiate with local indigenous bands for their agreement to the treaty. Negotiations were described as tense at times. Metis individuals within the territory that was negotiated over as part of Treaty 8 were not granted land, instead they were granted scrips . Applications for scrips were processed in parallel with Treaty 8 negotiations, but continued for years afterwards. On March 2, 1900, two commissions were created to handle scrips concerning Treaty 8, and James

1188-641: The late 1920s in order to document the landscape, as well as the plant and bird life. J.G. Wright , Superintendent of Eastern Arctic Patrol and National Film Board photographer, served on the 1945–1946 expedition sponsored by the Canadian National Institute for the Blind . As the Regional Director of Family Allowances for Yukon and the Northwest Territories , S.J. Bailey served as part of

1232-426: The province for 3 years gathering evidence from Indigenous and non-Indigenous people on the adequacy of reserves . On July 19, 1924, an amended McKenna–McBride Commission was adopted and applied as the B.C. Indian Lands Settlement Act . The McKenna-McBride Commission had a significant impact on Aboriginal reserve lands by adding to, reducing, and eliminating reserves throughout the province. In total, reserve land

1276-432: The province from 1913 to June 1916, when it finished its work. In addition to adding reserves to most bands, it also removed land from previous reserves. These were usually in prime locations near urban settlements, and are known as "cut-off lands." The Commission recommended the removal of approximately 47,000 acres (190 km) of land (with an assessed value between CA$ 1,347,912.72 and $ 1,533,704.72) from 54 reserves, and

1320-558: The regions of Manitoba and the North-West Territories , and relocated to Winnipeg , Manitoba. While in this role McKenna was known to support the incumbent policies of residential schooling, as well as measures taken to suppress traditional indigenous dances and attire, especially off-reserve. Alberta and Saskatchewan achieved provincial status in 1905, at which point the Canadian government began negotiations on Treaty 10 , which

1364-573: The scope of the commission, and McKenna reportedly agreed without complaint. On March 31, 1913, the Royal Commission on Indian Affairs for the Province of British Columbia was created. McKenna was one of the representatives for the Dominion of Canada, and he relocated to Victoria with his family for this work. The commissioners spent three years travelling across B.C., gathering testimonial from indigenous peoples as well as non-indigenous peoples, about

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1408-568: The term Inuit in referring to "an Aboriginal people in Northern Canada , who live in Nunavut , Northwest Territories , Northern Quebec and Northern Labrador. The word means 'people' in the Inuit language — Inuktitut. The singular of Inuit is Inuk." Eskimo is found in historical documents about Canadian Inuit. The term Aboriginal is commonly used when referring to the three groups of indigenous peoples (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis ) as

1452-519: Was "to adjust the acreage of Indian reserves in British Columbia." The governments believed that if additional reserves were set aside for them, First Nations bands would be satisfied. The commissioners travelled throughout the province for 3 years gathering evidence from Indigenous and non-Indigenous people on the adequacy of reserves . They visited nearly every band, asking them what little pieces of their traditional territories would they like included as reserves. The Commission held hearings throughout

1496-487: Was adopted and applied as the B.C. Indian Lands Settlement Act . Various Indigenous tribes provided testimony at Commission hearings. Among others, these tribes include: Joseph McKenna (Canada) James Andrew Joseph McKenna is best known for participating in negotiations with a number of indigenous peoples on behalf of the Dominion of Canada , including during the creation of Treaty 8 , and Treaty 10 . James

1540-674: Was born on January 1, 1862, in Charlottetown , Prince Edward Island , to Rose Ann Duffy and James McKenna Sr. As a child he attended St Patrick's School in Charlottetown, and after graduating he attended St Dunstan's College , also in Charlottetown. James worked for the Prince Edward Island Railway , before moving to Ottawa. In Ottawa James married Mary Joanna Josephine Ryan on August 7, 1888, and they had five daughters and two sons. On March 11, 1886, James started working for

1584-619: Was granted an honorary Doctorate of Law by the University of Ottawa. McKenna retired to Victoria , where he died of heart failure on May 30, 1919. Department of Indian Affairs Crown – Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada ( CIRNAC ; French : Relations Couronne-Autochtones et des Affaires du Nord Canada ) is the department of the Government of Canada responsible for Canada's northern lands and territories, and one of two departments with responsibility for policies relating to Indigenous peoples in Canada (the other being

1628-791: Was meant to cover some indigenous groups in those provinces that were not involved in previous treaties. McKenna was appointed commissioner for the treaty as well as for scrip payments, and he left Winnipeg in August 1906 to begin that work. He left before the work could be completed, and it was finished by a local co-worker. In February 1909, the Department of Indian Affairs closed the Winnipeg Indian Commission office, and demoted McKenna to "Inspector of Roman Catholic Schools" for Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Some residential schools would have fallen under his jurisdiction in this capacity. He retained his salary of $ 2,600 yearly, which made him

1672-519: Was named co-commissioner for the Districts of Assiniboia and Alberta , along with Major James Walker . The two were given one year to process scrip applications, but were not able to finish on time. On March 16, 1901, Walker was reassigned and McKenna was appointed sole commissioner. He would continue the work of processing Treaty 8 scrips until 1904. On July 1, 1901 James was promoted to "Assistant Indian Commissioner and Chief Inspector of Agencies" for

1716-484: Was not instantaneous, with Orders-in-Council initially separating the portfolios, and formal legislation constituting the new departments being passed in July 2019. According to Trudeau, the rationale behind the restructuring was that "the structures in place at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada were created at a time where the approach around the Indian Act , the approach around our engagement with indigenous peoples,

1760-525: Was removed in 35 places from 23 Bands. With encroachment on their traditional territories, First Nations in British Columbia continued to fight for a fair settlement of their land and title rights. In an attempt to conclusively resolve the so-called "Indian Question", the Royal Commission on Indian Affairs was established as a joint federal and provincial commission. The primary goal of the Commission

1804-721: Was removed, the report was accepted by all participating parties. After the report was accepted, negotiations between the province, the dominion, and indigenous groups, still had to take place before any border changes were made. On April 1, 1917, James was fired by Scott for unspecified "unfortunate habits". Scott alleged that McKenna's habits had caused him to spend the entirety of his personal salary, and stated that McKenna's firing had been delayed out of concerns that he would no longer be able to support his large family. James A.J. McKenna wrote an article for Catholic World entitled: “Are Canadian Catholics priest-ridden?", which appeared in issue 52, January 1891, pages 541–545. He also wrote

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1848-517: Was sent to negotiate a settlement with the government of British Columbia , in return for the province granting Canada land to build its planned transcontinental railway on. In 1898, James was promoted to first-class clerk. In 1899, James participated under Indian Commissioner David Laird in negotiations on Treaty 8 with indigenous peoples in the District of Athabasca and the northeastern section of British Columbia. James proposed two major changes to

1892-656: Was transferred from the British government to the Province of Canada ; the responsibility for Indian affairs was then delegated to the Crown Lands Department Commissions Responsible for Indian Affairs. The federal government 's legislative responsibilities for First Nations and the Inuit derive from section 91(24) of the Constitution Act, 1867 and responsibility was given to the Secretary of State for

1936-526: Was very much looked at in a paternalistic, colonial way". The new departments are consistent with the 1996 Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples' recommendations to improve the delivery of services dramatically and fast-track self-government. CIRNAC has offices in ten (10) regions, at headquarters and to deal with oil and gas leases. The offices are further divided into the broad divisions of treaties and aboriginal government; lands and economic development and education and social development. Northern Development

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