11. The White Paper

In 1969, Jean Chretien, then (Minister of Indian Affairs) announced a new policy called "Statement of the Government of Canada on Indian Policy".

The policy consisted of three main principles:

• to eliminate Treaty rights;
• to transfer responsibility for Indian people to the provinces;
• to eliminate the Department of Indian Affairs and the Indian Act.

Negative reaction from Indian communities was strong and the White Paper was retracted.

There was a change in Indian-government relations: Indian organizations became stronger and began to play a more active role in negotiations with government. Indian people also began to play a more significant role in managing their own affairs.