The Royal Proclamation of 1763 was the first formal recognition by the British Crown that Indigenous peoples held inherent rights to their lands. This principle was then entrenched in Section 25 of the Constitution Act, 1982.
The following videos can be used to build understanding of the significance of the Royal Proclamation of 1763:
In this video Bob Joseph describes how the Proclamation establishes the relationship between Canada and Aboriginal Peoples. He outlines how the Proclamation recognizes Aboriginal people as owning the lands they use and/or occupy, how land ownership remains with Aboriginal Peoples unless it is bought or ceded, and how the Proclamation sets out special fishing and hunting rights for Aboriginal Peoples.
In this video Justice Murray Sinclair describes his "love-hate relationship" with the Royal Proclamation of 1763.
Examples of critical thinking questions to explore with your class:
-Given that this was a royal decree, whose perspectives were included and whose were left out? Why is the Proclamation not a Treaty? What is the difference?
-The Royal Proclamation of 1763 created a shift in power. How do you think it was viewed by the different groups of people living in what we now know as Canada (The British, the French, the Indigenous Peoples)?
-How is this legal document both protective and oppressive towards Indigenous Peoples?
-Indigenous and European concepts of land are traditionally different. How did the Proclamation change the definition of land in Canada?
-How does Section 25 of the Constitution Act, 1982 ensure that the principles of this 260-year-old document still affect modern Canadian law?
-Why are land claims in B.C. so complex today because of the Proclamation?
-How does the Royal Proclamation of 1763 relate to the Treaty of Niagara (1764)?
Supplemental Resources:
Here is a link to the Royal Proclamation of 1763:
https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1370355181092/1607905122267#sec2
Here is a link to Section 25 of the Constitution Act (1982):
https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/rfc-dlc/ccrf-ccdl/check/art25.html
Here is a video to learn about the importance of the Treaty of Niagara (1764):
