...things to help Canadian aboriginal people to preserve their traditions and culture, we could have done much more. We have wronged the First Nations People in many ways; we have treated them as less than ourselves and in some cases still do. Forcing children into residential schools, not allowing Canadian aboriginals to vote, taking away the land that they had lived on for years, these are just a few things that we, as Canadians, have done. 150,000 Indian children were taken away from their families to live at residential schools. The first residential school was opened in 1840 in Bradford, Ontario and by 1910 there were a total of 74 schools all across Canada. Residential...
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...The Aboriginal People of Newfoundland The Beothuk people of Newfoundland were not the very first inhabitants of the island. Thousands of years before their arrival there existed an ancient race, named the Maritime Archaic Indians who lived on the shores of Newfoundland. (Red Ochre Indians, Marshall, 4.) Burial plots and polished stone tools are occasionally discovered near Beothuk remains. Some people speculate that, because of the proximity of the artifacts to the former lands of the Beothuk, the Maritime Archaic Indians and the Beothuk may have been related. It is not certain when the Beothuk arrived on the island. In fact little is actually known about the people, compared to what is known about other amerindian civilisations, only artifacts and stories told by elders tell the historians who these people really were. Some speculate that they travelled from "Labrador to Newfoundland across the strait of Belle Isle, which at one time was only 12 miles wide. By about 200 AD the Beothuk Indians were probably well settled into Newfoundland."(Red Ochre, 8) The Beothuk were not alone on Newfoundland wither. The Dorset Eskimos, who came from Cape Dorset regions of the north around 500 BC also shared the island. They presumably had contact with the Beothuk, exchanging tools or engaging in battle. In any case the Dorset Indians died out leaving Newfoundland empty to the control of the Beothuk people who now had no enemies and a wide vast territory. The Beothuk, although part...
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...Misconception and Reality of Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples Gloria Yu Misconception: The terms "Aboriginal" and "Native" are used to define one homogenous group of people in Canada. "Indigenous”, "Native", and "Aboriginal" are used as broad terms to collectively describe three different cultural groups known as "First Nations", the "Metis", and the "Inuit". These three groups all have their own unique culture, historical background, and political goals. The group known as “First Nations” has 633 bands, representing 52 cultural groups or nations and over 50 languages. Most individuals prefer to be called by the specific nation they belong in because each has its own traditional political structure, history, and spirituality. “Aboriginal” is a term used to describe individuals or...
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...issues Canadian Aboriginals face in Canada? (Issues may be health, access, education, social class, violence, gender issues, etc.) There are several issues surrounding the first nations people of Canada. For a very long time there has been discrepancies between the Indigenous People and the rest of the inhabitants living in Canada. Although Canada seems to be country that promotes equality, there are still issues regarding the Indigenous People being overlooked. The most prevalent ones we see are those involving the land of the Indigenous People being taken over by mining companies, unequal access to Canada’s health system, high rates of violence towards First Nation’s women, and lower levels of education and income. The most known controversy that is really recent is the Northern Gateway Pipeline controversy. The Project involved building a pipeline that ran through Alberta to British Columbia and would go across roughly 1000 rivers and streams and land that belonged to the 50 First Nation’s groups. There are many residents that live on these territories that depend on these sources of water and land. Canada has a healthcare system for Aboriginals called Non-Insured Health Benefits for First Nations and Inuit (NIHB). Since it only applies to the First Nations and Inuit, the Métis and others Indigenous people that are not qualified under the Indian act do not receive the same benefits. It is a complex health system that has resulted in Indigenous People not getting equitable...
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...The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP) was established in 1991 in the wake of the Oka crisis and Canada’s Prime Minister at that time, Brian Mulroney, set up RCAP with the objective to investigate and report on the Aboriginal situations countrywide via collaboration between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, to develop an agreeable future for all Canadians (Mcgregor, 2011). RCAP recommendations were broad and involved discourse and sustainable resource/ forest management frameworks, renewal of the relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, recognition of treaty rights, promotion of self determination, child welfare reform and improving housing and living conditions of Aboriginal people (Royal Commission on Aboriginal...
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...This paper will talk about the makings of cross-cultural shared film in describing and or challenging hegemonic depictions of Aboriginal people; the main emphasis being above all regarding Australian Aboriginal individuals. Exercising the current film ‘Ten Canoes’ directed by Rolf De Heer (2006), produced in working together amongst the Australian- Yolngu individuals and the non-Indigenous Rolf De Heer, this paper will argue whether cross-collaborative film developments can effectively and practically give power to the Aboriginal individuals as a mode of confrontation to cultural domination and management and as well as a contemporary structure of cultural reminiscence and regeneration, as Eric Michaels (1987) calls it a ‘cultural future’ (no.page), and also how essential dialogue is in development of an ‘ethical, postcolonial’ film in Australian film and television. In Australian film, the depictions of Aboriginal individuals have traditionally been together notified by racist ideologies and helpful to the growth of these philosophies in the normal Australian culture (Turner, 1988; 135). In Australia, films ‘about’ Aboriginal individuals persist to strengthen the hegemonic formations of cultural authority and prevention of having power of Aboriginal individuals from the Australian norm (Langton, 1983; 33). Marcia Langton (1983; 33) a top Aboriginal scholar claims that, in Australia, variety of media communication have taken place and remain to be one of the most influential...
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...Aboriginal Education: Has It Improved? Xiangli, Li (Bill) Student No. 214022362 AP/ESL 1450 R Thinking about the Contemporary Canada Mansour Safdari January 2015, Winter Outline Introduction: Ⅰ. Attention grabber: quotation back by the statistics. Ⅱ. Intro: With the progress of Canadian education, There is an increasing attention to the needs of Aboriginal children. Focusing on present-day Aboriginal education can reflect the status quo more precisely and will also bring benefits in overcoming the current obstacles for that Aboriginal students faced by native students. Ⅲ. Thesis: Through historical analysis and current situation, the paper will show that those some improvements have been made by the Canadian government, further changes are necessary to meet the requirements for the Aboriginal school-children. Body paragraph: Ⅰ. First and foremost, Along with the changes in Aboriginal education, I would like to ask “Has it improved?” And then I will start with the historical obstacles and gaps between Aboriginal children and native children. Ⅱ. Secondly, I would like to briefly show the difference between the past and present Aboriginal education and tell the readers what they are like. Like residential schools and educational system.More importantly, I would like to discuss the influences on the Aboriginal kids now. Ⅲ. Finally, I would like to demonstrate the progressions in education that the Aboriginal people...
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...these people would be Sir Wilfrid Laurier. Laurier would be an arbiter to Canada's history. Serving as Prime Minister from 1896 to 1911; a well respected leader and a man of honor. A man, confident within his country stated the following on January 18, 1904 “Canada has been modest in its history, although its history, in my estimation, is only commencing. It is commencing in this century. The nineteenth century was the century of the United States. I think we can claim that Canada will fill the twentieth century.” (Suzuki) Many Canadians would come to believe this and feel secure and prideful of their country. However, this statement would be proven wrong by the harsh unforgiving way the Aboriginal peoples were treated.Canada would not belong to the Twentieth century due to how the Government's treatment of first nations people, through the title of Status Indian, Reserves and Residential Schools. The Indian Act was put in place in the late nineteenth century as a means to calm down the First Nations people violent response to western settlers. (Coyler 176) The indian act would give the title of Status indian to certain people who met certain qualifications such as having Aboriginal ancestry or being an Aboriginal. This act would neglect the Aboriginal peoples to certain rights and freedoms, as well as eventually turning into a title of humiliation and prejudice. Anyone who had the title of status indian, were not given the right to vote. The final group of people to gain...
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...problems and multiculturalism Abstract: The history of Canada has gone through various events, some of which produced a nightmare for the country and from which the people as well as the leaders are still trying to awake, while making sure that such events do not take place ever again. In this essay I discuss the Canadian Ethnic problems and it's multiculturalism by mainly focus on two typical examples :the aboriginal people and the Chinese who have suffered injustice through out the history in different aspects such as politics and cultural. And later ,by looking at the current situations of the Canadian ethnicity in general and going over the past decisions that the government had made, I try to suggest the possible solutions. Introduction: As we all know, Canada is a country with large immigrants. Therefore , the history of Canada is largely the history of the meeting of different cultures. As its early settlers are mostly immigrants from Central and Western Europe, European culture is playing a dominant role in Canada's culture. Since the eightieth of the twentieth century, as the number of immigrants from different parts increased significantly, the new immigrants brought in their own culture with them as well. Thus, people are now feeling more of the tensions between those cultures and of prejudice felt among these groups toward one another. For this reason, how to deal with the relationship between the different...
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...Government Ministries and Agencies Short Assignment Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada February 24th, 2015 I Responsibilities Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada is one of the federal government departments responsible for meeting the Government of Canada's obligations and commitments to First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Through these responsibilities, AANDC helps to maintain and strengthen the relationship between the Government of Canada and Aboriginal people. Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada role is to support Aboriginal people (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) and Northerners in their efforts to: * improve social well-being and economic prosperity; * develop healthier, more sustainable communities; and * participate more fully in Canada's political, social and economic development – for the benefit of all Canadians. Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada funds five social programs. It aims to assist First Nation individuals and communities to become more self-sufficient; protect individuals and families at risk of violence; provide prevention supports that allow individuals and families to better care for their children; and support greater participation in the labour market. Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) supports First Nation communities in the implementation of strong, effective and sustainable governments. Research has shown that effective governance is the single...
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...problem”. The “Indian acts” main beliefs were to civilize native people, mange reserve activity and control Indian Status. With all this power over the aboriginal peoples the treatment towards aboriginals was inhumane. Many Aboriginal peoples were mentally traumatized in residential schools, discriminated against and neglected in residential school. The Residential schools left many aboriginal peoples mentally traumatized. For example “Some children experienced… psychological…abuse” (Quinlan etal 66). Being exposed to such a horrifying ways of life students begin to develop low self-esteem throughout the years. Having...
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...argued to criminalize certain groups within society. Specifically, Aboriginal women as offenders in corrections have faced many difficulties. They often are sentenced younger, more often and for longer sentences than non-Aboriginal offenders. The over incarceration, over representation and criminalization of Aboriginal women within the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) is attributable to a legacy of colonialism and sexism which placed them at a vulnerable place within society. Canada’s public policy post WWII regarding, social welfare, education and the labour market, exhibit how colonialism and sexism have created unfavorable cultural and socio-economic conditions for Aboriginal women, which make them more susceptible to be victims/survivors of violence, poverty and behaviours or circumstances in conflict with the law. As a result of these conditions, Aboriginal women are more likely to meet deplorable conditions while in prison, and the laws do not seem to accommodate Aboriginal methods of rehabilitation, restitution and justice. In order to understand the plight of Aboriginal women within the CJS, the issue will be approached from a feminist perspective. Further, the evidence will be sourced from secondary sources, mainly text and government reports. First a landscape of Canada’s colonial past’s impact on Aboriginal women; starting post WWII will be advanced. This will demonstrate the links between Aboriginal women’s experience with poverty, violence in all forms, and the...
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...Canada is a nation of opportunity and freedom. People from all around the world immigrate to Canada to start a new life, to get away from war or poverty. But how about those who were here from the very beginning, before anyone else landed in Canada; the ones that are called First Nation people, or Aboriginals? What is the government doing for them? Why are First Nations people suffering the worst in Canada? The first nations have been oppressed by the Canadian society and continue to live under racism resulting in gender/ class oppression. “55.6% of the poor are aboriginals and a lot of them live in reserves around Canada that Canadian government have put them in. Even Though we have signed a treaty to show constitutional and moral basis...
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...Aboriginal Land Claim Issues Canadian Aboriginal people have been fighting for land claims for many years. It is not often that Aboriginal people get their land reclaimed but just before Christmas it was announced that Ipperwash Provincial Park would be restored to the Kettle and Stony Point First Nations. Many people know this as the land where Dudley George was shot and killed by a police officer fighting for Aboriginal rights. This triumph is considered to be a historical event because Aboriginal people do not usually get land back instead of a cheque. The land was once an ancient burial ground and was surrendered in 1928 under suspicious circumstances. In 1936, after residents had requested for a park by the lake, the reserve was sold to the government. The government made the 2200-acre reserve into an army training camp in 1942. This forced the Stony Pointe people to move to an uncomfortable place where they now had to live. In 1993, the government still disagreed to return the reserve. This made Dudley George and some people from the Stony Pointe community move back onto the base hoping to get it back. On September 4, 1995, a few people moved into the park to notify people about the ancient burial ground. Police arrived on the scene two days later with force. It was that day an Ontario Provincial Police officer shot and killed Dudley George. First Nations have claimed that there had been many lies going around after that day. Such as the province disagreeing with...
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...Defining the issue Aboriginal families all across Canada were affected by the residential school system. The two main objectives of residential schools were to remove and isolate indigenous children from their families and cultures and to assimilate them into the Western cultures. From the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s it was mandatory that Aboriginal children went to residential schools by the federal government, to try to make them more like “children in mainstream society” (Kevin, Beeds, and Filion 340). Aboriginal values were looked down upon. Schools were operated by a staff that consisted of nuns and priests. They focused on teaching children Christianity. This event was significant in Canadian history because it represented the loss of culture, language, and family connection due to long separations and the hardships faced at school. The experience at residential schools continue to affect generations of Aboriginals still to this day. History of the Issue Prior to the Canadian government’s involvement in the education of Aboriginal children, traditional education effectively sustained Aboriginal cultures for decades of years (340). Early in the 1600s French missionaries came to North America to convert Aboriginals to Christianity (340). They established mission schools in New France. By the 1800s the government focused on educating First Nations children in a way to indirectly assimilate them into Canadian society (340). In 1879, Prime Minister John A. Macdonald commissioned...
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