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Yakk · 03-26-2004, 07:30 AM

A friend of mine from highschool learned that he possibly qualified as Metis a few years back, and if so he would have gotten some education benefits from the government.

In general, the Canadian colonization of north america was less bloody than the American conquest of the nation. This isn't saying there was no blood, just that there was less.

The "first nations" have treaties with the government that grants them many powers of autonomy and the like. In some ways, they have more independance than a province, in others less.

The bigest recent stress between Aboriginal populations and the Federal government was the residential schools mess. A generation of kids where placed in boarding schools in an attempt to assimilate and 'civilize' them. These residential schools where harmful: abuse, punishment for not speaking english, and a cultural disconnect from their parents resulted.

Going back in history, similar farces occur. Laws preventing aboriginals from farming using modern technology and the like have existed, if I recall correctly.

There is a reservation system in Canada: namely, there are some lands on which Aboriginals are guaranteed under treaty. Because these places tend to be economically isolated, togather with all the stupid things done throughout history, they tend to be poor regions, with the usual social results.

Not all reservations have this problem.

The North is also relatively unique. The new territory of Nunavut actually as an aboriginal majority (Nunavut was formed by splitting the "north west territories" in about half). Living in the north, in isloated communities, is a strange life. I spent a week there on a student exchange.

Politically, there are currently various land claims going on: land that was guaranteed to the aboriginals through treaties in the past, whose observance has lapsed. In BC in particular these seem to be relatively common.

As a random anicdote, Aboriginal troops on the Canadian side where probably key to the victory in the war of 1812.

Edit: Minor spelling/grammer mistakes.

03-26-2004, 07:30 AM	#11 (permalink)
Yakk Wehret Den Anfängen! Location: Ontario, Canada	A friend of mine from highschool learned that he possibly qualified as Metis a few years back, and if so he would have gotten some education benefits from the government. In general, the Canadian colonization of north america was less bloody than the American conquest of the nation. This isn't saying there was no blood, just that there was less. The "first nations" have treaties with the government that grants them many powers of autonomy and the like. In some ways, they have more independance than a province, in others less. The bigest recent stress between Aboriginal populations and the Federal government was the residential schools mess. A generation of kids where placed in boarding schools in an attempt to assimilate and 'civilize' them. These residential schools where harmful: abuse, punishment for not speaking english, and a cultural disconnect from their parents resulted. Going back in history, similar farces occur. Laws preventing aboriginals from farming using modern technology and the like have existed, if I recall correctly. There is a reservation system in Canada: namely, there are some lands on which Aboriginals are guaranteed under treaty. Because these places tend to be economically isolated, togather with all the stupid things done throughout history, they tend to be poor regions, with the usual social results. Not all reservations have this problem. The North is also relatively unique. The new territory of Nunavut actually as an aboriginal majority (Nunavut was formed by splitting the "north west territories" in about half). Living in the north, in isloated communities, is a strange life. I spent a week there on a student exchange. Politically, there are currently various land claims going on: land that was guaranteed to the aboriginals through treaties in the past, whose observance has lapsed. In BC in particular these seem to be relatively common. As a random anicdote, Aboriginal troops on the Canadian side where probably key to the victory in the war of 1812. Edit: Minor spelling/grammer mistakes. __________________ Last edited by JHVH : 10-29-4004 BC at 09:00 PM. Reason: Time for a rest. Last edited by Yakk; 03-26-2004 at 10:54 AM..