The ancestors of Aboriginal peoples are believed to have migrated from Asia many thousands of years ago. They were well established here long before explorers from Europe first came to North America.
Three Distinct Groups:
- First Nations (Indian): About 65% of Aboriginal people. About half live on reserve land in about 600 communities.
- Métis: 30% of Aboriginal people. A distinct people of mixed Aboriginal and European ancestry, majority live in Prairie provinces.
- Inuit: 4% of Aboriginal people. "The people" in Inuktitut language, live in small scattered communities across the Arctic.
The Vikings from Iceland who colonized Greenland 1,000 years ago also reached Labrador and Newfoundland. The remains of their settlement, l'Anse aux Meadows, are a World Heritage site.
John Cabot (1497)
Italian immigrant to England, first to map Canada's Atlantic shore, claiming Newfoundland for England.
Jacques Cartier (1534-1542)
Made three voyages, claiming land for France. Heard the Iroquoian word "kanata" meaning village.
In 1604, the first European settlement north of Florida was established by French explorers Pierre de Monts and Samuel de Champlain. In 1608, Champlain built a fortress at what is now Québec City.
Key Developments:
- • French and Aboriginal people collaborated in the fur-trade economy
- • Outstanding leaders like Jean Talon, Bishop Laval, and Count Frontenac
- • French Empire reached from Hudson Bay to Gulf of Mexico
- • Voyageurs and coureurs des bois formed alliances with First Nations
Believing it would be easy to conquer Canada, the United States launched an invasion in June 1812. The Americans were mistaken. Canadian volunteers and First Nations supported British soldiers in Canada's defence.
Key Battles
- • Major-General Sir Isaac Brock captured Detroit
- • Battle of Queenston Heights
- • Châteauguay - 460 soldiers turned back 4,000 Americans
- • Americans burned York (Toronto)
- • British burned White House in retaliation
Heroes
- • Chief Tecumseh (Shawnee leader)
- • Laura Secord (warned of American attack)
- • Charles de Salaberry (French Canadian)
- • Major-General Robert Ross
From 1864 to 1867, representatives of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the Province of Canada worked together to establish a new country. These men are known as the Fathers of Confederation.
The Dominion of Canada
The British Parliament passed the British North America Act in 1867. The Dominion of Canada was officially born on July 1, 1867.
Original Provinces: Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick
World Wars
- • WWI: 600,000+ Canadians served
- • Vimy Ridge (April 9, 1917)
- • WWII: 1 million+ served
- • D-Day: Canadians captured Juno Beach
Social Progress
- • Women's suffrage (1916-1940)
- • Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982)
- • Multiculturalism policy
- • Official Languages Act (1969)
- • Remember the three founding peoples: Aboriginal, French, British
- • Know key battles and their significance
- • Understand the path to Confederation
- • Learn about important historical figures
- • Study the timeline of major events