Good Example Of Essay On Whether Aboriginal People In The Past Were Abused By Canadian Government

Abstract

This essay discusses the history of Canada and the Aboriginal communities living here before the arrival of the Europeans. The purpose is to study the comprehensive factors that impacted the Aboriginal people along the history and if they were abused by Canadian government. Different aspects of trade, colonialism, residential schools, etc., were some of the aspects that impacted the Aboriginals and treated them unfairly.

Introduction

Canada takes pride in itself as a country of great cultures, religions, and ethnicities that exist together within its borders. The nation is known to promote diversity and ethnic self-identification, and it has been praised as an exemplary of cultural diversity on a global level. It is the first country to implement progressive wide-ranging policies on anti-racism and has earned an admirable reputation. However, despite the laudatory achievements on pluralism and anti-discriminatory practices, racism remains an issue, especially when it concerns the Aboriginal peoples in Canada (Hutchings, 2015).
The colonial system Before the European arrived, the Aboriginal peoples were spread across the northern half of the continent. They relied on the natural resources, agriculture and marine life around them for survival. Socially, they had hierarchical and patriarchal groupings that were stable. When looking in the past, one finds that Canada has been based on the colonial system in which the Aboriginal lands had been confiscated from them. It is essential to make a point here that the social inequalities faced is directly linked to the governmental policies and the colonialism. Social inequalities should not just be based on the social indicators and some numbers telling the income level, education and employment figures. It is also seen in those common everyday stories told the people (Menzies, 2015).

Comparing Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people

When comparing the income of the Aboriginal people with Canadians, it has been found that Aboriginal people made lower incomes as compared to the non- Aboriginal people. The examination of the income data points to sharp contrasts in the income levels. About 42 % of the Aboriginal people have their income source from the government transfers compared to 24% of all Canadians. Ober the last couple of decades, there are still significant differences that remain between Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal people. These people face poverty; crowded living conditions and ill-health has taken a heavy toll on the Aboriginal people. There is an improvement seen in the average health, but it is still short of the nation average of 6.3 years (Menzies, 2015).
As for the law, all status Indians had no right to vote until 1960. Aboriginal children were forcibly placed in the residential schools and removed from their families. The impact of such policies can be seen in the over-representation of the Frist Nations people in the criminal justice system. Although Aboriginal people are a minority in the country and were no more than 3% of the total population, their percentage in the prisons accounts for 24%. It indicates that the Aboriginal people have been a victim of the past policies of the government and a discriminatory justice system (Menzies, 2015).
The roots of the social inequalities The roots of the social inequalities can be seen in the historical phenomena of colonialism when the governmental policies undermined the Aboriginal people institutions and the dominance of the European traditions that were forced on them. It must have not bene easy for the Canadian government to make efficient developmental policies for heterogeneous populations. The pressures and the dimensions of the job have only led to the government not doing a good job as far as the Aboriginal people are concerned (Miller, 2015).
The Aboriginal communities dominated the lush coasts of the British Columbia in the eighteenth century. Their population declined by the middle of the nineteenth century as a result of the diseases. The fast declining population as one reasons as to why the treaty-making did not occur in the British Columbia. In addition, migration of newcomers and other economic development in the area led to hankering after the Aboriginal lands. Except Ontario, there was no uniform policy for delaying with the indigenous population. The collective impact of the traditions, blunders and residence lead to a treaty that was hurriedly made. The Aboriginal communities had anticipated that the government would negotiate with them first before the settlers arrived.
In the 1870’s, during the making of the treaty, Ottawa’s was to get Aboriginal communities to surrender their lands and give their land and political control for modest payments. The Aboriginal people were given assurances of peace and protection. Those who had rejected the treaty were forced into the treaty because of starvation and poverty (Miller, 2015). The schooling system
During the period between 1883 and 1923, an extensive school system developed in the country and comprised of industrial schools, residential schools, and boarding schools. The residential schools had a strong negative impact on their inadequate care and assimilative practices. The Indian children were being forced to adopt the Euro-Canadian way of life and in that pursuit, the Aboriginal culture denigrated. Christian views were begin forced, and the use of any Native language was discouraged (Miller, 2015). The churches that were running the schools were making effort to work out relations with the Aboriginal peoples. However, the former student were suing the federal government for damages done because of the abuse. The litigation procedures were complicated, and the churches involved in criminal court convictions often went bankrupt as they had to spend extra efforts and money for the preparations for court. The government showed little concern related to the residential school problems (Miller, (2009). Conclusion
The standard of living of the Aboriginal peoples and other racial minorities in Canada is still lower as compared to non-Aboriginals. The barriers to gaining equality are still there, and they still face the issue of unemployment, poverty, and incomplete education. However, even in the midst of all those adversities, the Aboriginal people have maintained their identity and carry a strong place within their traditional territories. Many of them are asserting their Aboriginal rights and title that were taken away from them once the Europeans arrived. The courts have found that the Aboriginal peoples should be given fair compensation for the lands taken away from them (Menzies, 2015).
The disparity in the socio-economic conditions between the Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals in Canada are there because of the history. Institutional racism always accompanied Migration, colonialism, conquest, and economic development. Canada has taken steps in the recent times to even out those inequalities, and address the discrimination faced by minorities. Aboriginal populations are working themselves to heal their communities. However, the resulting systemic racism will not be as easy to address.
ReferencesCanada's History. (2015). A Response to Conservative Canada, 1(1), 15-21.
Hutchings, C. (2015). Canada’s First Nations: A Legacy of Institutional Racism. Retrieved from http://www.tolerance.cz/courses/papers/hutchin.htm
Menzies, C. (2015). First Nations, Inequality, and the Legacy of Colonialism. First Nations, Inequality and the Legacy of Colonialism, 1(1), 295-301.
Miller, J. (2015). Canada and the Aboriginal Peoples 1867-1927. The Canadian Historical Association, 1(1).
Miller, D. (2009). Residential Schools and Reconciliation. Residential Schools and Reconciliation, 1(1).