What was the primary focus of the 1969 White Paper on Indian Policy?

The primary focus of the 1969 White Paper on Indian Policy was to eliminate the Indian Act and promote the assimilation of Indigenous peoples into Canadian society. The White Paper, introduced by the federal government, proposed the removal of special legal status for Indigenous peoples and aimed to integrate them more fully into mainstream society. This approach was based on a belief that Indigenous peoples would be better off as equal citizens without separate rights or policies. The intention was to address what the government perceived as the "problems" related to Indigenous communities by encouraging their integration, even though this perspective overlooked the historical and cultural significance of Indigenous identities and rights.

The other options do not align with the central theme of the White Paper. For instance, promoting Indigenous cultural practices contrasts with the White Paper's assimilation agenda, while increasing funding for Indigenous education was not the focal point of the document. Similarly, reforming land ownership laws was not a primary objective; rather, the focus was on dismantling existing legal frameworks that recognized Indigenous rights. The 1969 White Paper was controversial and faced significant opposition from Indigenous leaders and communities, leading to a greater demand for the recognition of Indigenous rights and self-determination in subsequent decades.