A History of Reserves A History of Reserves in British Columbiain British Columbia

The Royal Proclamation of 1763

• issued by King George III (Britain) after the defeat of France in the Seven Years War

• established a basis for government in British North American territories

• required negotiation of treaties with Aboriginal inhabitants before claiming land for settlement

• sometimes called an "Indian Bill of Rights." • (Historica, The Canadian Encyclopedia. (2007). The Royal Proclamation of 1763.

http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1SEC827445.

The Royal Proclamation and Land Title in British Columbia

EVEN THOUGH…• The Royal Proclamation of 1763 required the

negotiation of treaties to extinguish Title and claim Aboriginal lands for settlement.

NEVERTHELESS…• James Douglas created reserves throughout

the colony without negotiation.

• Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs. (2005). Background to the McKenna McBride Commission. http://www.ubcic.bc.ca/Resources/ourhomesare/narratives/Background_1.htm.

www.ubcic.bc.ca