One of the most apparent acts of mistreatment shown by our government to the Indigenous peoples is the ban of
One of the most apparent acts of mistreatment shown by our government to the Indigenous peoples is the ban of
Canada’s fastest growing, discriminated race, unhappy with what they call home In CBC’s 8th Fire series; many aboriginals address the commonly known stereotypes and difficulties that they have been facing for a long period of time. It rises many mixed emotions for viewers but Canada is turning into a very diverse country and everyone is given equal opportunities if they strive for them. Long ago Aboriginals were given parcels of land called reserves for them specifically to live on. Under today’s government, first nation people are welcome to live wherever they choose.…
The article further explores the lack of education about Indigenous history rights in the immigrant assimilation process, offering a sharp critique of institutional power structures. She explains, “You’re barely taught anything about Indigenous history, culture and communities” (Syed 2021), highlighting the systematic erasure of Indigenous voices in our Canadian society. This erasure is a demonstration of power and privilege, where dominant groups control the narrative, marginalizing others. Fatima’s acknowledgement that “Immigrants are also part of the problem: We are guilty of Indigenous displacement” (Syed, 2021) reflects a critical self-awareness and an understanding of involvement in systemic injustice. By recognizing this issue, Fatima reflects and examines the power dynamics and ways to proactively dismantle these oppressive systems.…
Provincial and federal governments take advantage of and use unclaimed Aboriginal land, often ignoring legal standards. In 2014, the Supreme Court has enforced constitutional procedures the Canadian government must take relating to Aboriginal land claims in the Tsilhqot’ in Decision. This Precedent setting case will strengthen Aboriginal rights for protecting their traditional territories and bring about change within their communities. By analyzing the legal policies our government must abide by, as well as the implications of the precedent its self, we can see how it will benefit and create more rights to Aboriginals. The case through its decision will also indirectly bring about positive change within Aboriginal communities.…
In Indigenous Writes, Chelsea Vowel understood that “there needs to be dialogue between all peoples living on these lands” (Vowel, 2016, p. 14). In order to create dialogue and respect the boundaries that come with it, the terminology in use needs to be accepted by all parties. In addition to not creating conflict, terminology recognizes the history that comes with the culture, whether it is pure or devastatingly unjust. In this day and age, many Canadian citizens are unaware of the oppression and violence towards the Indigenous peoples that took place predominantly in the past. Unfortunately, these…
The perfect society. No conflicts, no inequality. Does it exist? Many argue that Canadian society is the closest resemblance to a utopian society. However, after taking a closer look at Canada’s history, it is evident that Canadian society has a deep rooted history of prejudice, discrimination, and racism.…
Martin Luther King once said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” Throughout history, countless injustices have been committed against humans, causing significant historical trauma. Differences in ideologies and beliefs between people are a major cause as to why injustices occur. Although Canada is known for its peace and diversity, it was not always like this. Canada’s history has left many victims with the culprit being the Canadian government.…
However, regardless of the painful conditions that the members of the First Nations experienced, by the late 1940s, there was hope on the social and political transformations that would mark the beginning of a new era in the Canadian society. The First Nations across the nation started forming region-based groups that forcefully expressed people’s grievances to have equality among all Canadians. By 1946, the First Nations had fought for their rights to parliament. The crusaders of equality in the First Nations wanted to have an equal Canadian society, but at the same time, they wanted to preserve their cultural practices and beliefs. They opposed the idea of enforced enfranchisement contained in the Indian Act and the extent to which the government controlled their lives.…
“...historically in Canada, racism toward First Nations peoples has taken the form of paternalistic policies propagated to protect “childlike” peoples incapable of managing their own affairs” (Sharma, page 15). This assumes that Aboriginal peoples are incapable of being responsible for their own survival, giving into the perception that they are lazy or stupid, which is untrue. They are still heavily disadvantaged in Canadian society. At such a disadvantage, that “half of the status First Nations children live in poverty...children in reserves under federal jurisdiction were in the worst situation, often living with poor drinking water, and in run-down homes” (The Canadian Encyclopedia). This is basically the definition of an inadequate standard of living; bad drinking water, run-down, unsafe home, most likely too young to be able to work or gain compensation from the government.…
One hundred or so years ago, many believed that assimilation of First Nations in Canada was a good policy. No one was aware about the horrid conditions of residential schools at the time. 93,000 residential school students are still alive today. They are the limited survivors of a cultural genocide that many did not even realize had occurred in Canada until very recently. The last residential school did not close until 1996, and to this very day Indigenous society is taut with corruption as a result of centuries of horrors and traumatic experiences .…
The cultural genocide at the hands of the Indian residential school system along with historic and present day oppression and abuse is a blood stain on Canadian culture and government. The government has made steps to atone and reconcile for the destruction it brought upon the First Nations community, however, I do not think enough has been done or ever will be done as long as the oppressor’s government institution is in place. It will ultimately be left up to the First Nations people to come together as a unit to rebuild the structure of their community. Indian Residential School System The Indian residential schools (IRS) were domestic terrorism hubs and locations ordained by the Canadian government and churches which were operated and enforced…
The overrepresentation of indigenous people is a substantial issue in our country that requires attention in order to maintain a positive relationship with the Aboriginals and remove any negative stigmatization against the indigenous culture (Welsh & Ogloff, 2008, pp. 492-494). This remains an issue in our society because there are increasing numbers of indigenous people in prison throughout the provinces due to systemic racism within the legal system, crimes committed due to socioeconomic challenges and cultural or language barriers (Fitzgerald & Carrington, 2008, pp. 524-525). Moreover, alternative courses of action should be addressed in order to decrease the overrepresentation of indigenous people in the criminal justice system.…
Based off the history of indigenous peoples in Canada, one thing is for certain; discriminatory and inhumane acts by European conquest, towards a unique culture has altered the Aboriginal way of life we see in Canada today. While the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), has been evolving and developing for multiple years, these 94 recommendations give important insight and suggestions in how the nation of Canada can move away from this unjust history, reconcile and work towards becoming a stronger nation. While it may seem that reparations are impractical from the devastations of such events as the Indian residential schools, the TRC has been a timely process with the intent to restore an altered Aboriginal life and strengthen ties with…
Many Canadian citizens pride themselves on the multiculturalism, diversity, and equality their country thrives on. Since 1980, citizens as young as kindergarteners have been taught to sing of Canada’s home and native land in the national anthem, promoting the freedom and strength of their sovereign country. But, there is a lack of celebration for Indigenous peoples, and their distinct role in creating Canada. There is little recognition that the brutal colonization of Indigenous peoples, dispossession of their vast amounts of native land, and rationalization of racism in order to assimilate them into acceptable cultural norms, greatly influenced Canadians ability to proudly sing about the glory of their country. If there is no room in our national…
Violence against Aboriginal Women in Canada The rates of violence against aboriginal women is attributed to the intersectional, systemic oppression in societal construct and deep rooted racial discrimination in Canadian society. Through analyzation of recent academic articles and sources; core relating ideologies converge on the theme that social construct, ethnic marginalization and systemic racialization are factors which attribute with the victimization of violence in aboriginal women in Canada. “Overall,it has been consistently found that Aboriginal women have a higher likelihood of being victimized compared to the rest of the female population"- (Sinha, 2014)” Though violence against women is a pressing issue, the violent victimization…
Discrimination Against Aboriginal People In Canada: The Fight Isn’t Over The lives of the Aboriginal people in Canada have never been the same since European settlers unjustifiably stole their native land right from under their feet. Life for Aboriginal people will always be affected by the European colonization of Canada, and discrimination against the first nations community still exists to this day.…