Christianize, Colonize, Civilize: Lived Legacies of the Indian Act

Hot Dogs & Hot Takes on History

Event Date: Thursday, April 16
Event Time: 7-8:30 pm | Doors open 6:30 pm
Cost: $15 (+ fees)
Ages: 13+

April 2026 marks 150 years since the signing of the Indian Act into law, shaping how the government of Canada builds its relationships with the Indigenous Peoples who lived on this land for thousands of years. But what are we commemorating? What is the lived legacy of the Indian Act?

At this installment of Hot Dogs & Hot Takes on History, Otsskoipiiks’aakii Paula Smith, Indigenous Relations Manager at The Confluence, walks us through living under the Indian Act. Beginning with the Laws and Legislations issued to First Nations peoples by federal to provincial governments. Paula traces the mechanics of colonization that laid the groundwork for the Indian Act and agreements such as Treaty 7. These policies attempted to define, control, and assimilate Indigenous peoples.

Paula wants to fight back and describes how we fight today without violence, abuse, or conquering. Despite the policies of the Indian Act and the agreements made under the numbered treaties, they do not define Indigenous Peoples. Colonization is not identity.

Commemorating 150 years of the Indian Act is not a celebration – it is opportunity to have the conversation that challenges everything we were taught in schools. Learn about how the Indian Act shaped history and how we are beginning to unravel the threads of governmental structures that have influenced the lived reality of people under these systems.

For more information, including speaker bio, visit theconfluence.ca/events/hdht-march2026

ABOUT HOT DOGS & HOT TAKES ON HISTORY

Debunk and debate local histories at Hot Dogs & Hot Takes on History! Every month, a historian or specialized expert will share their research and offer new perspectives on the history we think we know.

Every Hot Dogs & Hot Takes event kicks off with a short presentation on a historical topic by the guest speaker, followed by an interview facilitated by The Confluence President Jennifer Thompson, and an open discussion where you can offer your knowledge and questions about the evening’s topic.

What’s a hot take without a hot snack to go with it? Fuel the evening with a delicious hot dog and sea salt chips for $5. Thank you to Harvest Meats for sponsoring the hot dogs for this event!

Learn more about this event and all upcoming topics at theconfluence.ca/hotdogsandhottakes