British Indian Department
| Department overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1755 |
| Dissolved | 1965 |
| Jurisdiction | Government of British North America 1755–1867 Canada 1867–1965 |
The Indian Department was established in 1755 to oversee relations between the government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and those First Nations in British North America. At that time of its establishment it was a wing of the British Army.
Initially, two departments were created. The superintendent of the northern department, responsible for negotiations with the Indians living north of the Ohio River, was Sir William Johnson who held the position until 1774. For the Southern Department, the superintendent was Edmund Atkins. In 1774, Colonel Guy Johnson, Sir William's nephew, succeeded him and held the position until 1782, at which point he was succeeded by Brigadier-General Sir John Johnson, Sir William's son, who held the position until 1791, and from 1796 to his death aged 88 in 1830.
After 1796, responsibility for Indian affairs in Upper Canada was assigned to the Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada. In 1800, responsibility for Indian affairs in Lower Canada was assigned to the Governor General of Canada. In 1816, responsibility was transferred to the Commander of the Armed Forces in North America. In practice, Indian affairs were managed and supervised through the offices of the Superintendent General of Indian Affairs and the offices of the Inspector General of the Department of Indian Affairs. Both these offices were abolished in 1828, and Major-General H.C. Darling took the position of Chief Superintendent of Indian Affairs, supervising the Indian Department.
In 1830, the Indian Department was split into two, with one for Upper Canada and one for Lower Canada. In Upper Canada, the Lieutenant-Governor appointed a Chief Superintendent to oversee the department, in Lower Canada the Military Secretary oversaw the department. That year, Colonel James Givins was appointed in Upper Canada, and Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan C. Napier was appointed in Lower Canada. Samuel Jarvis replaced Givins in 1837.
...
Wikipedia