League+Of+Indians

​League Of Indians.
 * “I want to get rid of the Indian problem. I do not think as a matter of fact, that the country ought to continuously protect a class of people who are able to stand alone… Our objective is to continue until there is not a single Indian in Canada that has not been absorbed into the body politic and there is no Indian question, and no Indian Department, that is the whole object of this Bill.”** __**Dr. Duncan Campbell Scott - 1920**__

**Facts. ** During WWI, First Nation men fought alongside Britain despite the fact that Treaties declared that they were not expected to help Britain in times of conflict. Upon returning to Canada after the war, these men were not given the benefits that the 'non-Indian' solders were given. They came to realize that Canada had not changed it's views on Aboriginals and continued treating them unfairly. First Nations people received poor education and health care. They were forbidden to practice their traditions and beliefs and were forced into Catholicism. They were being robbed of their land and their rights. This also robbed them of their dignity and left them feeling hopeless. Frederick Loft, who was a Mohawk lieutenant in the Canadian Army during the war, had a meeting with the Privy Council and the King of England where he explained the struggles that many of his people faced throughout Canada. He became aware that all across Canada, his people were facing the same mistreatment after having many discussions with his Indian soldiers during the war. When he returned to Canada he came up with a plan that could potentially restore the rights of his people. In 1919, he established an organization called the Indian League of Canada, in Ontario. Many First Nation people joined because this was an opportunity to be heard. Their focus was to improve the conditions on reserves. The leader of the Indian Department, Duncan Campell Scott enforced assimilation and was disgusted by Frederick Loft. In order to get ride of the League fast enough, he directed his agents not to have any contact with the members of Loft's organization.

Significance ** The League of Indians was eventually recognized as the League of Indians of Western Canada since the First Nations people of that region were most involved with them. The League of Indians of Western Canada did not get very far with accomplishing their goal, but they did give hope and inspiration to two other politcal organizations called the Indian Association of Alberta and the Union of Saskatchewan Indians that would go on and win their battle for First Nations rights that the Aboriginals have today.