Not Indian Enough: The History of the Michel Indian Band
Date
2024-01-26
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Abstract
Michel Callihoo signed Treaty 6 in 1878 on behalf of his Cree Nation, becoming the Michel band consisting of roughly 160 individuals. The bands’ reserve was located west of Edmonton, until it was dissolved in 1958 through involuntary enfranchisement. The Michel band remains the only Indian band in Canada to be wholly dissolved involuntarily. This thesis explores the history of the Michel band, and the Callihoo family as they navigated the tumultuous implementation of the Indian Act as opposed to the treaties. Chapter 1 explores the early history of the Callihoo family until treaty signing, paralleling the experiences of the Michel band at Lac Ste. Anne with the events of the Red River Valley. Chapter 2 looks at the non-implementation of the treaty agreement and the harsh measures imposed by the Canadian government in their attempts to expand control and “civilize” the Indians throughout the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century through means like Metis scrip and direct Indian Agent control. Chapter 3 finishes the history of the Michel band, as the Department of Indian Affairs took deliberate steps to enfranchise the members of the Michel band causing them and their descendants to lose Indian status to this day.
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Citation
Snyder, H. C. (2024). Not Indian enough: the history of the Michel Indian band (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.