There are two great Douglas's that have changed the way some Canadians look at things and one of them has to be James. James was appointed the new Governor of Vancouver island. He was a great Governor. He did things right because he knew how the people of the colony felt in certain situations. For example he created a legislative assembly because everyone had been complaining about the prejudice of the upper class settlers. He passed resolutions to try to calm down the issue. He knew how most of the colony felt because most of the colony would have been fur traders or ex fur traders and he was too. The next problem on his agenda was the problem that every other colony has had in Canada. The natives. All the other colonies treated the Natives terribly and whenever they negotiated with treaties it always seemed as if the Natives had been tricked or lied to but that was not the case on Vancouver Island. James had a Metis wife. He knew the misfortune and inhumane torture the Natives were a custom to. He felt sympathetic for them. To get more land and expand Vancouver Island he would need more land. So he Negotiated with the Natives on the Island and gave them hunting and fishing rights and titles to land. He stayed very true to his word. He was the only Governor to do so when dealing with the Natives. This is so positive to our culture and aboriginal history in Canada because it marks the first time this had ever happened. Finally no confusion. Finally a little fairness.
-Events from 1815 - 1914
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