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Canadian History 11 (Unit 1)
Aboriginal Governments
Government Structures in First Nations Societies
The system of governance in Canada today is the result of the interaction of many groups
over the course of the history of our country. The way we govern can be thought of as both
the end product of evens and the gift given to us by our ancestors, beginning with the First
Nations people who inhabited this land.
Aboriginal Perspectives on Government
By the time Europeans arrived in the Americas, Aboriginal peoples who had traditionally
occupied the land had well-established and long-standing governments in place that were as
complex as any found in Europe. Some societies were democratic at a time when most
nations of Europe were still driven by
social class systems and ruled by
absolute monarchs. (Kings and
Queens who had absolute say about
all things and whose will was law).
Aboriginal societies contained all the
“Among the first Nations people, respect for
elements of political communities
individualism and equality of all individuals
and nationhood: their own cultures,
have always been cornerstones of their political
languages, values, heritage, and
culture. Unlike the political communities of
territory.
Although government structures in
each Aboriginal society varied, they
were all grounded in a common
world view based on a spirituality
that involved living in harmony with
the environment. They also valued
and respected the rights of the
individual, each whom had a role to
play in the decision-making process
and in the selection of rulers and
councilors.
Europe, Asia and Africa, the aboriginal societies
of North America did not tend to produce all
powerful individual leaders, dictators, and
kings.”
Jack Weatherford, historian
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Canadian History 11 (Unit 1)
Structures of Government in Aboriginal Societies
The Mi’kmaq Nation
Before the arrival of Europeans, much of what is today the Maritime provinces was occupied
by the Mi’kmaq. At the time of contact, the basic political unit in Mi’kmaw society was the
extended family which consisted of 30-200 people led by a chief. At the heart of Mi’kmaw
political cultures were two fundamental principles:
 One was the respect for the rights of the people
 Respect for, and the preservation of, the environment
The Mi’kmaq nation had a well-established
system of self government that was based
on the democratic principles. Leaders were
appointed by the people and could be
removed at the people’s discretion.
Mi’kmaw communities placed considerable
importance of the opinions of the Elders,
both male and females. Disputes were
settled through mediation in which a just
settlement for both parties was sought
under the watchful eye of the leaders and
the community as a whole. Once an
agreement was reached, both parties were expected to abide by it.
Mi’kmaw territory was decided into seven geographic districts. Each district had its own
government in the form of an elected District Chief who presided over a Council of Chiefs
made up of Elders and other distinguished members of the community. The district Councils
had many of the powers we associate with a central government today, such as the power to
grant hunting and fishing territories, to settle disputes, and to make war or peace.
The Mi’kmaq Nation also had a council called the Grand Council, consisted of the seven
District Chiefs. Its role was to discuss matters of mutual
interest among the seven District councils., resolve disputes
among them, and the negotiate mutually satisfactory
agreements. One of the seven members was selected to be
Grand Chief. Since all chiefs were elected, the Grand Council
generally was made up of individuals who were respected in
their communities. A chief could remain in office as long as
he retained the confidence of the people.
The Mi’kmaq Grand Council has survived through the ages.
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Canadian History 11 (Unit 1)
Its role today is to provide spiritual leadership. Day-to-day governance in Mi’kmaw
communities is provided by elected chiefs and councils.
Questions on the Mi’kmaq Nation
The Iroquois Confederacy
The Iroquois Confederacy which can be traced back to 1142 , ( 900 years ago), originally
consisted of five First Nations living south of Lake Ontario who had banded together: the
Mohawks, the Oneida, the Onondaga, the Cayuga, and the Seneca. They were joined in 1722
by the tribe of the Tuscaronras, who were forced to move at that time. The Confederacy then
became known as the Six Nations
The Confederacy was founded by a man named Dekanahwideh. At that time, 1142, the five
tribes were continually at war with each other. He traveled to each of the Nations to
encourage them to join together under the Great Law of Peace.
The people of the Iroquois confederacy were accomplished farmers. Farming enabled them to
establish permanent communities. They developed a complex system of government based
on democratic principles. The power to govern started with the individual and flowed to the
family, then to the clan, to the village and then to the nation, to the Confederacy. It
emphasized the important of the individual and that one person could make a difference.
The symbol of the Confederacy was the longhouse, a rectangular building that was the
traditional home of the Iroquois.
What is interesting about this Iroquois nation is that it was matrilineal or that it traced its
clans and extended families through the mother. Although men became chiefs, they were
selected by the oldest woman in the clan, called the Clan Mother, who also held the balance
of power and had the authority to remove a chief from power and appoint a new chief. In
addition, women had many other influential roles, including acting as caretakers of the land,
controlling the economic interest of the family, and educating younger generations.
For the Iroquois, all clan chiefs in a village made up what was called the village council. This
Council selected a village chief, who represented the village on the Nations Council. In turn
the Nations Council selected a chief to represent it on the Confederacy Council/ The
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Canadian History 11 (Unit 1)
Confederacy Council practiced a form of representative democracy if which votes were given
to delegates from all Nations. Decision of the council required everyone to agree.
Here is how it starts with the Clan Mother, who selects a Clan Chief, who will go to the Village
Council. OF all the Clan Chiefs, one will be chosen to represent the village at the Nations
Council. At the Nations Council, one person will be chosen to represent the tribe at the
Confederacy Council
Clan Chief- selected by Clan
Mother- Oldest Woman in the Clan
(family)
Questions
on Iroquois Confederacy
1. Explain why we say that this Native Group is Matriarchal?
Village Council was made up of all
the Clan Chiefs.
Individual chosen by the Village council from
its members to go to the Nations Council
2. What is the Longhouse?
Chief would be selected from the
representatives at the Nations Council to go to
the Confederacy Council
The Concept of Property Ownership
One of the biggest differences between Aboriginal peoples and Europeans was the concept of
property ownership. Aboriginal peoples did not consider the land as something that they
could own as individuals or as a society. Instead, they considered the land to be a sacred
trust that was theirs to use and preserve during their lifetimes and to pass on to the next
generation. They would defend the land if they need to by force when necessary.
On the other hand, the concept of property ownership was important in European law. Land
was owned in the same way that other property, such as guns, books and clothing, was
owned. When European explorers arrived at what they considered to be “new lands” in
North America, they claimed the territories and all the resources for their king. The King in
turn gave land rights to certain members of the upper classes, who assumed the land was
theirs to exploit at their will.
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Canadian History 11 (Unit 1)
As Europeans expanded their territories, Aboriginal nations began to claim title to the lands
they traditionally occupied. Although many Aboriginal cultures followed distinct natural
patterns of migration, they claimed title based on the fact that their migrations were
confined to definable territories that were not occupied or claimed by any other Aboriginal
nations. When Aboriginal peoples resisted the takeover by Europeans of the lands they
occupied, violence and sometimes wars broke out with the colonists. By the eighteenth
century, colonial and European leaders realized that to ensure the safety and security of their
settlements, they had to reach agreements with local First Nations peoples.
Aboriginal Treaties
Long before Europeans arrived in North America, Aboriginal societies were negotiating
treaties with one another. They used treaties to establish who would use the land and how it
would be used. It was the nature of their culture to honour and respect these treaties.
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