Aboriginal_Rights_in_Canada

Aboriginal Rights in Canada Ana Tavares March 7, 2010 Since the first encounter with the British and French, the course of Aboriginal history in Canada has been deeply altered by the interactions and laws the Europeans imposed on First Nations, which significantly invaded their fundamental rights. The result has been a noteworthy amount of laws that have harmed the ability of Aboriginals to influence their own future. Before North America was discovered by the Europeans the Aboriginal had the whole continent to themselves, they cultivated their own traditions and customs. But when the Europeans arrived they began to impose their own laws and methods excluding any Aboriginal belief. In the 1700s the Aboriginal community began facing great discrimination by the Europeans, for the pragmatism that provoked the British Crown to protect Aboriginal interests in the Royal Proclamation gave way to a policy of assimilation and the attitude that the Aboriginals were British subjects - and not equal, independent nations. The passing of the Indian Act in 1876 made effectively all Aboriginals to be legal wards of the state, the act controlled all aspects of the Native life including the denial to the right to vote in federal elections. Starting in the 1870s residential schools for Aboriginal children between the ages of 5 and 16 began to be set up by the federal government, children were taken from their homes to be placed in these schools. They were meant to train Aboriginal youth how to become productive members of society along European, Christian lines. The federal government was destroying Aboriginal culture, language and traditions without getting penalised for such mistreatment. It wasn’t until the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in December 1948 that Canada was forced to re-examine the way Aboriginal communities were being treated. In 1951 the Indian Act was altered so that many of the laws banning customs were no longer in effect. Aboriginals were now allowed to drink and posses alcohol, but only in their reserves. Shortly after, the Aboriginals in 1960 gained the right to vote in federal elections, also Ottawa began to phase out residential schools (Last one closed in 1988). Aboriginals continued to make significant gains within Canada. The Constitution Act in 1982, section 25 of the new charter guaranteed the rights and freedoms of all aboriginals and section 35 recognised and affirmed existing Aboriginal treaty rights. It suggested that these treaties are open to interpretation and further negotiation. Into the 21st century, Native people have conquered many rights, though they still face major barriers to equality. Standards of living on many reserves are far below modest standards for the average Canada, with the lack of clean water and electricity. There is also great despair as the forgotten Indigenous people struggle with drug and alcohol problems, and suicide among teens is five times the national average. Although Native people have the right to free education in Canada, there is a minimum amount of First Nation teens that even manage to finish high school, not even having the chance to take on such advantage. Native people still believe that they will reach their rightful place in Canadian society by having their rights as distinct people recognized. They fight for a Native self-government for they believe prosperity will come along with it. Overall the rights and freedoms of Aboriginals in Canada have changed radically. First Nations have gained more rights socially and politically, land rights have improved and they have gained much recognition in Canada’s society. In the future they hope to attain their Native self-government in order to further improve their conditions.