Letter to John A. MacDonald
Share your understanding of treaties, the Indian Act, reserve systems, and related contemporary issues.
Directions:
Imagine you can send a letter back in time to the first Prime Minister of Canada, John A. Macdonald, at the time of the negotiation of the Numbered Treaties, and the making of the Indian Act (1876).
The goal of your letter is to persuade the PM to ensure that the Numbered Treaties are honoured, as they were negotiated orally, and to ensure the Indian Act doesn’t become law.
You will use at least one example of issues with the Indian Act, and/or of the reserve system (i.e. housing crisis, boiling water crisis, poverty, cycle of dependency, education, etc.) as way to persuade him.
You may point out what biases he may have and attempt to persuade him to consider the Indigenous perspective and consider the value of Indigenous ways of being, knowing, and doing (i.e. care of the land, learn from other cultures, unique ways to grow economy, mutually benefit).
Personalizing the letter and/or being creative is encouraged as a way to persuade and to allow for relatability. For example, you could share something from your life, identity, or relation to land as part of your persuasive letter. You might also use humour, or tell a story. Presentation Options:
the written letter format:
2.) Written letter format – 2-3 pages (500-750 words); APA 7th ed. Citations and a references list as per APA 7th ed. formatting must be included; a minimum of 3 references is required.
