1

Enfranchisment
In order to do the things that were legislated as illegal to us, we could voluntarily give up our government recognition/identity as Indians and become “enfranchised” as Canadians.

As Indians, we were not allowed to vote in Canada until 1960.

2

Algonquins of Golden Lake 1890
1890
Pikwàkanagàn, ON

Credits:
Omàmiwininì Pimàdjwowin

3

Our Indian status was revoked if:
we got a college or university education;

4

August and Roxy Commanda Wedding
1950s
Pikwàkanagàn, ON

Credits:
Selena Roesler

5

we wished to purchase or drink alcohol;
women married non-Indian men;

6

WW Veterans
1914-1916
Pikwàkanagàn, ON

7

we were away from the reserve for more than 5 years, we lost our status

Our experiences as veterans are so varied that the inconsistencies leave many questions.

8

Marion Bernard
1940s
Pikwàkanagàn, ON

Credits:
Jill Closter

9

Those of us who fought for Canada in the world wars or Korea

10

Mary, Bernadette, and Marion Bernard and Richard
1940s
Pikwakanagan, ON

Credits:
Jill Closter

11

(all but three able-bodied men from the
reserve fought in WWII) were enfranchised (lost our Indian status) in order to fight.

12

Archie Bernard
1940s
Pikwàkanagàn, ON

Credits:
Archie Bernard
Helen Bernard

13

Then, instead of being honoured when we returned, we didn’t receive any of the benefits that other
veterans got, so we ended up living in poverty.

14

Tony Bernard and Airforce Friends
1940s
Pikwàkanagàn, ON

Credits:
Tony Bernard
Helen Bernard