Chiefs, Council and the Indian Act - Colonization

The colonial government took the position that, by signing the treaties, our nations had given up their sovereignty and had agreed to come under the political authority of the colonial government. An administrative apparatus was established with "cradle to grave" authority over the lives of our people. Indian agents were installed on every reserve and quasi-governments were created to adhere to and implement the decisions of the Indian-agent administration." (Our Responsibility to the Seventh Generation, p. 29)

© 2000 International Institute for Sustainable Development