october 7, 1763.

it was actually an important date in the history of both the united states and canada: the royal proclamation, that declared that the king of england has sole ownership of all indigenous land in north america. therefore, colonists were forbidden by law from purchasing land directly from the native americans. instead, only the crown could buy the land from the natives, which would then partition it to the colonists using a feudal parcel system that we refer to today as 'fee simple' - all land in the colonies would be arranged into fiefdoms owned by the crown, for rent to colonists. this is an understood factor in the war of independence, as the colonists wanted what is called allodial title, in buying land from the natives, who up to that day were considered sovereign land holders under british law. this would give them real ownership, and avoid the ability of the king to inflict property taxes.

the royal proclamation essentially extinguished a right of indigenous land title under british law; at the stroke of a pen, the king declared himself the owner of the entire continent, despite the existence of sovereign tribes living on the land.

you would think that indigenous groups in canada would look at this day as the darkest in their history, as it was the end of their legal sovereignty under colonial law. but, they are instead taught that this was the day that the king recognized their rights under the law as british subjects. there were public celebrations in indigenous communities to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the proclamation.

i've been in absolutely surreal debates with indigenous people around this topic that have just left me baffled.

this is a small step. but, everybody should welcome it.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/education/ontario-first-nation-ottawa-sign-self-governing-education-agreement/article35996541/?reqid=8b5fdb28-f90e-4239-a0eb-e5dc62b02f71