Indigenous Rights in Canada

Running head: INDIGENOUS RIGHTS IN CANADA
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INDIGENOUS RIGHTS IN CANADA
HSE4M1-01
Indigenous Rights in Canada
Prepared by: Karida Green
Prepared for: Mr. Vrbanek
Due Date: November 22nd, 2017 at 9:40am
Terrible Acts besides Indigenous individuals
Canadian government recognizes three different types of indigenous individuals. These include Indians, Metis as well as Inuit. Indigenous individuals have always been victims of acts against them like colonization of their households, built -up schools as well as cultural killing. There is gap that has been pointed between rights for non-indigenous and indigenous. In addition, staying in one of the wealthy states across the realm, indigenous individuals in Canada come across problems such as impoverishment, residential problems, challenges in accessing medical care, clean water and getting food for themselves and their families. They are even forced to deal with repercussions of built-up schools. Although, the government of Canada claims to use a lot of money on the indigenous individuals, funding for their necessities like their food, shelter and water is less when compared to what non indigenous societies get[footnoteRef:1]. The paper will critically seek to analyze the rights of indigenous people, both their past and present events and promises for their future. The paper will also highlight discrimination and injustices in a non-bias way with solids proofs. [1: tp://www.amnesty.ca/our-work/issues/indigenous-peoples/indigenous-peoples-in-canada]
History
Before the coming of European settlers in Canada, indigenous individuals occupied as well as thrived on land in around 1200 years ago. They used this land and their resources as a way of surviving. They acknowledged their God for what he had provided them. They stayed a holy life and treated their lands with a lot of respect. When settlers arrived, their lands were taken away and displaced from those lands.
Residential Schools
One hundred and thirty residential schools were established till the year 1870. The Canadian government was involved in funding operations for these residential schools along with numerous religious organizations like Roman Catholic churches. The main aims of these schools were to eliminate and isolate youngsters from their households, families, beliefs as well as to assimilate them into the central cultures in Canada. During this time, many 150,000 indigenous youngsters were eliminated as well as alienated from their own relatives and societies in order to attend residential schools. They were also forced to conform to beliefs, cultures and views of Catholic. Although residential schools were operated for numerous years, they ceased to operate in the year 1996. Many of the youngsters survived in an unconducive and unfavorable environments while at those residential schools whereby resulting effects and traumas may be seen nowadays within those indigenous people[footnoteRef:2]. [2: http://www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/index.php?p=4
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According to article Residential school survivor, Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, “There was more clean water for drinking, and because they were out from residential schools, there was sexual harassment and domestic violence. Thus, many of the children were under sexual harassment and domestic violence toward binging of drinking water.” Cynthia tries to describe trauma which had been passed from generation to generation because of injustices and discrimination faced by the indigenous population. Therefore, assimilation of the culture of indigenous people, discrimination and colonization have dominant roles to the problem faced by these people nowadays.
Truth and Reconciliation
The fact and Resolution Committee refers to an organization devoted to receiving the facts and reconciliation coming from the government. The fact and resolution committee was established in 1996. It has been forcing the government to acknowledge and apologize for the wrongs which have been done to indigenous people in past and present. The objective of this organization is to better the lives of those affected in forthcoming future. It also calls for actions that should be done by administration of Canada[footnoteRef:3]. [3: http://www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/File/2015/Findings/Calls_to_Action_English2.pd]
The Indian Act
The Act was amended in year1876. This permitted the administration of Canada to take control of many aspects of indigenous population such as the status of Indians, lands, and their education. In addition, Indian act considered how much funds would be used in systems of reserves and concerns for indigenous individuals. The act has been updated several times but, in modern days, it is prejudiced to indigenous individuals. Before this period, the royal proclamation bill of 1763, was the one that government worked on. It showed the people whom indigenous population was supposed to interact. The bill also gave some rights to the indigenous population and centered on how they could stay. Moreover, the bill made it easier for European settlers to take the lands and resources from indigenous people. The act showed factors that should be considered for one to be an Indian[footnoteRef:4]. [4: http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/indian-act/
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Great Arctic Relocation
The Great Arctic Relocation occurred in 1950 when cold war was in progress. During this period, the government of Canada moved the indigenous families especially Inuit From northern Quebec to Grise Fjord and Resolute Bay. These families faced challenges since they were not provided with proper basic needs like shelter and food because of ongoing cold in areas of Nunavut. When those families arrived at their respective places, they were forced to separate and without their knowledge before, one group was to live in Grise Fjord while the other group to live in Resolute Bay. Indigenous families were not permitted to move out of those places after arrival since they had been promised so by the government[footnoteRef:5]. [5: https://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100016115/1100100016116
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Footnotes
1. http://www.amnesty.ca/our-work/issues/indigenous-peoples/indigenous-peoples-in-canada
2. http://www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/index.php?p=4
3. http://www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/File/2015/Findings/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf
4. http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/indian-act/
5. https://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100016115/1100100016116