Colonialism of Canada

The Effect of Racism of First Nations People on Canadian Society

The original Indian Act affects all First Nations people in two ways:

Bibliography

In Canada, governments have a history of attempting to isolate, culturally assimilate and politically decimate First Nations peoples as a way of rationalizing colonialism. Discrimination has been legally sanctioned to block opportunities for First Nations peoples to be self-governing and generations of residential schools promoted racist hostility toward aboriginal peoples and offered a curriculum of assimilation into Canada. The survivors, their children, families, communities and future generations have been hugely harmed.

Information about Aboriginals Resisting Racism

The Indian Act

-It says how reserves and bands can operate. The act sets out rules for governing Indian reserves, defines how bands can be created and spells out the powers of "band councils". Bands do not have to have reserve lands to operate under the act.

-It defines who is, and who is not recognized as an "Indian". The act defines a number of types of Indian people who are not recognized as "registered" or "status" Indians and who are therefore denied membership in bands.

"21 Things You May Not Have Known About The Indian Act." 21 Things You May Not Have Known About The Indian Act. Indigenous Corporate Training Inc., 2006. Web. 03 Mar. 2016. <http://www.ictinc.ca/blog/21-things-you-may-not-have-known-about-the-indian-act->.

"Canada’s First Nations: The Legacy of Institutional Racism." Canada’s First Nations: The Legacy of Institutional Racism. Claire Hutchings, n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2016. <http://www.tolerance.cz/courses/papers/hutchin.htm>.

"Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2016. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Act>.

"Doug: Opinion: First Nations Just Want What Other Canadians Take for Granted." Doug: Opinion: First Nations Just Want What Other Canadians Take for Granted. Kellie Tennant, Feb.-Mar. 2007. Web. 03 Mar. 2016. <http://www.douglasishere.com/2013/02/opinion-first-nations-just-want-what.html>.

‘Idle No More’ is a First Nations movement equivalent to the civil rights movement in the United States. It is an example of how First Nations people are taking a stand and confronting racism and attitudes about themselves. In general, First Nations believe racism is killing their people. They do not want anything more than what every other Canadian takes for granted. Chief Theresa Spence stated to the government of Canada that “… We want running water, safe and affordable housing, education, health care and our treaty rights to be upheld. These treaty rights were not only negotiated by First Nations ancestors but by non-First Nations ancestors as well.”

The Indian Act is a Canadian document which dictates how Canada interrelates with the 614 First Nation bands in Canada. This document was first passed in 1886 and has been a major source of controversy of Canada because it has been interpreted in many different ways by both First Nations people and non-First Nations people. Although amendments to the Act have been made over the years it remains a working document where major changes continue to be made. Land use, Education, Housing and Health Care are examples of some of the areas that this Canadian statute governs.

Internationally, Canada is recognized as a model country that respects cultural diversity and has a great reputation for its anti-racist policies. Its comprehensive policy on multiculturalism was the first to be adopted in the world and Canada has always been a great defender of human rights internationally. However, racism remains a significant problem within Canada even though it has been recognized for its anti-discriminatory practices and multiculturalism achievements. For example, many First Nations peoples’ living standards are poor compared to other Canadians. First Nations in general have a lower life expectancy, higher unemployment, fewer high school graduates, and twice as many infant deaths and spend more time in jail than non-Aboriginals. Furthermore, they are the poorest in Canada because they have lower incomes and as a group they don’t have as many promotions in the work place as others do. These differences between Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals are the result of history which includes colonialism migration and economic development that resulted in the creation of the Indian Act.

Information About How Canada’s Indian Act Supports Racism

Colonialism of Canada

“Sadly, our history with respect to the treatment of Aboriginal people is not something in which we can take pride. Attitudes of racial and cultural superiority led to a suppression of Aboriginal culture and values. As a country, we are burdened by past actions that resulted in weakening the identity of Aboriginal peoples, suppressing their languages and cultures, and outlawing spiritual practices. We must recognize the impact of these actions on the once self-sustaining nations that were disaggregated, disrupted, limited or even destroyed by the dispossession of traditional territory, by the relocation of Aboriginal people, and by some provisions of the Indian Act. We must acknowledge that the result of these actions was the erosion of the political, economic and social systems of Aboriginal people and nations.”

Statement of Reconciliation, 1998

Canadian Federal Government

By Lachlan Lunny

How did the Indian Act affect the Aboriginals of Canada?

Example of a non-native supporting racism

A physician at the Campbellton Regional Hospital handed out a "Greetings, Native Savages" sticker to a Listuguj First Nations child recently, prompting an outcry within the Listuguj community.

"This is unacceptable, insensitive and was very upsetting," said Listuguj Chief Scott Martin in a letter sent to Gilles Lanteigne, president and chief executive officer of the Vitalité Health Network.

"This level of insensitivity points to a dearth of cultural competency and cultural safety at your hospital," Martin said in the letter.

Colonialism of Canada