(Source: burning-soul, via savannawonderland)
My People
were not allowed the right to vote (on the land that they were initially living on) until 1857… and only the men would be allowed the right.
He could only vote if he :
“receieved” land (which was then underwent assessment and taxation)
abandoned his reserve rights (of owning the land)
abandoned his rights to live with his family & culture
He also had to know how to read and write in a language that is completely new to him, he needed to have gone through schooling, be faithful in Catholocism, and have enough money to support himself in a civilized society.
Meanwhile, [white] women were allowed the right to freely vote in 1920.
Kanadian Natives were not allowed the right to freely vote until 1960. Just 52 years ago.
The transition to allow all Kanadian Natives the right to express who they want to run their land (because it couldn’t be a Kanadian man for some reason…) from only allowing a Kanadian man to vote after being sabbotaged into assimilation, took 103 years. Why the long wait? I don’t know.
But what I do I know is I’m a Kanadian citizen with status and I get post-secondary for free, free dental care, unneeded licenses for fishing and hunting, and no tax at stores built on reserve land.
I’ll soon be given the right to vote.
