Aboriginal peoples given the federal vote in Canada in 1960
Until then they could not vote, own land, or consume alcohol legally
The White Paper (1969) proposed the ending of reserves and end to special status to treaty Indians
Gov’t wanted them to assimilate
In response the National Indian Brotherhood (NIB) was formed to protest the changes
1971 Trudeau withdrew the White Paper
Summary
Starting in the 1950s, Fist Nations people of Canada experienced some changes. It began in 1951, with the Indian Act being revoked. This allowed the important Native ceremony and gathering, the Potlatch, back again. And then following that in 1960 they were given the right to vote, right to own their own land, and consume alcohol legally. But then, nine years later, Trudeau proposed the White Paper, which would mean the ending of special status to treaty Indians and the ending of reserves. The Canadia government wanted the Natives to assimilate and no longer get special treatment. Because of this, the National Indian Brotherhood was formed and proceeded to protest the changes and eventually in 1971 Trudeau withdrew the White Paper.