Aboriginal Rights in Canada: Are They Being Denied?
Aboriginal Rights in Canada: Are They Being Denied?
When Canada was first inhabited by the First Nations people, the land was completely their own. They were free to inhabit and use the land in whichever manner they saw fit. However, since the arrival of the European settlers, the First Nations people have been mistreated in countless ways. They faced many issues throughout history, and are now facing even more serious problems in our modern society like having to endure racism, discrimination and social ridicule. Given what they already have to deal with, the last thing they should have to worry about is the denial of their rights which is a problem that Aboriginals have to contend with as well.
Denial of Aboriginal rights is a very controversial issue here in Canada because many argue it simply isn’t the case. Unfortunately, it is a reality that First Nations people face. The rights they were born with in their own communities were repealed and replaced once the European settlers came and overruled their way of life. Now and in the past, the Canadian government is doing the same, much as the European settlers by deliberately abolishing and ignoring the Native American’s rights to their native land, their fishing and hunting rights and their rights to government funded education which was granted to them by their culture and the Canadian Constitution. A common argument often heard is that being an Aboriginal (or even part Aboriginal) has many perks including free post secondary education, no need to pay taxes, the rights to hunt or fish, and private reserves for them to continue their way of life. However, these promises have not always been fully delivered and come with a price. What once was a country entirely their own has been taken over and their rights overlooked.
Initially, the Canadian government practised a policy of “extinguishment”, which meant that Aboriginal peoples’ rights would be surrendered or legislated away, often in exchange for treaty
When Canada was first inhabited by the First Nations people, the land was completely their own. They were free to inhabit and use the land in whichever manner they saw fit. However, since the arrival of the European settlers, the First Nations people have been mistreated in countless ways. They faced many issues throughout history, and are now facing even more serious problems in our modern society like having to endure racism, discrimination and social ridicule. Given what they already have to deal with, the last thing they should have to worry about is the denial of their rights which is a problem that Aboriginals have to contend with as well.
Denial of Aboriginal rights is a very controversial issue here in Canada because many argue it simply isn’t the case. Unfortunately, it is a reality that First Nations people face. The rights they were born with in their own communities were repealed and replaced once the European settlers came and overruled their way of life. Now and in the past, the Canadian government is doing the same, much as the European settlers by deliberately abolishing and ignoring the Native American’s rights to their native land, their fishing and hunting rights and their rights to government funded education which was granted to them by their culture and the Canadian Constitution. A common argument often heard is that being an Aboriginal (or even part Aboriginal) has many perks including free post secondary education, no need to pay taxes, the rights to hunt or fish, and private reserves for them to continue their way of life. However, these promises have not always been fully delivered and come with a price. What once was a country entirely their own has been taken over and their rights overlooked.
Initially, the Canadian government practised a policy of “extinguishment”, which meant that Aboriginal peoples’ rights would be surrendered or legislated away, often in exchange for treaty
Cited: Hanson, Eric. "Aboriginal Law." Aboriginal Law. N.p., 2009. Web. 23 Nov. 2012. <http://www.cba.org/bc/public_media/rights/237.aspx>. Hanson, Eric, and Tanisha Salomons Hipwell, William, Katy Mamen, Vivian Wietzner, and Gail Whiteman. "Aboriginal Peoples and Mining in Canada: Consultation, Participation and Prospects for Change." N.p., Jan. 2002. Web. The Leader Post Midnight Oil. "Beds Are Burning." Rec. 1997. N.d. Web. Molenhuis, Dave Simpson, Andrea M., and Charlie G. Sark. "Youth Panel: Stop Ignoring Aboriginal Rights." Thestar.com. N.p., 2 Apr. 2010. Web. 26 Nov. 2012. <http://www.thestar.com/blogs/article/976603--youth-panel-stop-ignoring-aboriginal-rights>. Wonders, Karen