Originally Posted by Lychee (Post 6000092)

..... Many natives find it a hopeless situation.

Originally Posted by Lychee (Post 6000092)

Well, a lot of non-natives think that natives want to get back to a way of life before modern technologies, which isn't true. Although non-natives focus on pre-modern native lifestyles, contemporary native culture is not tied to pre-modern technologies any more than any other culture. British culture is not stuck in Stonehenge or Warwick Castle. It's an entire lifestyle and mentality that they're trying to preserve, not pre-modern technologies. For hundreds of years throughout colonization, natives were using modern technologies (guns, European clothing, etc). Technologies can advance and you can still retain your culture.

First Nations (which consist of dozens of different cultures and languages as diverse as Europes varied languages and cultures) are in a recovery procress, trying to restore their broken culture, languages, and identity with dignity.

Many First Nations were screwed over by the government in a variety of ways. Breaking treaty agreements, promising them land for hunting/fishing and then giving them unproductive slivers of land, etc. All one has to do is understand Canadian history and the Royal Proclamation of 1763, and you will begin to understand how these problems began.

But the issues are so complex. The residential schooling system, which existed as late as 1986 (!!!!) is an example of Canadian government sponsored cultural genocide.

We must also remember that the First Nations were an oral society, passing on traditions and history orally. The British/Canadian government took children from their parents, forced them to learn English, banned indigenous languages, made the potlatch and powwow's illegal (imagine making Christmas and New Year's illegal), took away all indigenous cultural items, etc. Family histories that were passed on from generation to generation halted. All of a sudden the links to the past have been severed forever.

Also, these children were taken away from the parents. When they themselves had children, they had no parenting skills.

After generations of broken government promises, being ignored, residential schools (full of physical, sexual and emotional abuse), and having your culture made illegal, you end up with an entire nation of people who have no link to their past heritage, who have lost thousands of years of history and identity. I can only imagine how wary they are of the government. The government hoped these people would disappear or assimilate, but it never happened.

Right now I think we're in the process of recovery, hence the myriad of apparent social problems. It's recovering and healing from the loss of an identity. Many natives find it a hopeless situation.

Of course, I should also mention that the Canadian government gives anybody with native heritage (directly or indirectly) "Indian status" which gives them certain rights. Off the top of my head, they are able to hunt or fish at times and in areas which are often off limits to non-native Canadians. They are exempt from certain taxes and they get free education, etc. However, I think these special agreements are only valid if they live on a reservation. But reservations, which are federal jurisdiction, are often so full of poverty.

As well, there are often conflicts between provincial jurisdiction and federal jurisdiction, so such issues can be complicated. And then you have Canadians who just see natives as being freeloaders, or who disagree with them getting special treatment. But the natives fully take advantage of their special rights because its one of the few forms of empowerment they're able to take advantage of.

Anyhow, I am rambling on and on, but perhaps it will give a few people a hint of this "tip of the iceberg".

Originally Posted by Lychee (Post 6000092)

Well, a lot of non-natives think that natives want to get back to a way of life before modern technologies, which isn't true. Although non-natives focus on pre-modern native lifestyles, contemporary native culture is not tied to pre-modern technologies any more than any other culture. British culture is not stuck in Stonehenge or Warwick Castle. It's an entire lifestyle and mentality that they're trying to preserve, not pre-modern technologies. For hundreds of years throughout colonization, natives were using modern technologies (guns, European clothing, etc). Technologies can advance and you can still retain your culture.

First Nations (which consist of dozens of different cultures and languages as diverse as Europes varied languages and cultures) are in a recovery procress, trying to restore their broken culture, languages, and identity with dignity.

Many First Nations were screwed over by the government in a variety of ways. Breaking treaty agreements, promising them land for hunting/fishing and then giving them unproductive slivers of land, etc. All one has to do is understand Canadian history and the Royal Proclamation of 1763, and you will begin to understand how these problems began.

But the issues are so complex. The residential schooling system, which existed as late as 1986 (!!!!) is an example of Canadian government sponsored cultural genocide.

We must also remember that the First Nations were an oral society, passing on traditions and history orally. The British/Canadian government took children from their parents, forced them to learn English, banned indigenous languages, made the potlatch and powwow's illegal (imagine making Christmas and New Year's illegal), took away all indigenous cultural items, etc. Family histories that were passed on from generation to generation halted. All of a sudden the links to the past have been severed forever.

Also, these children were taken away from the parents. When they themselves had children, they had no parenting skills.

After generations of broken government promises, being ignored, residential schools (full of physical, sexual and emotional abuse), and having your culture made illegal, you end up with an entire nation of people who have no link to their past heritage, who have lost thousands of years of history and identity. I can only imagine how wary they are of the government. The government hoped these people would disappear or assimilate, but it never happened.

Right now I think we're in the process of recovery, hence the myriad of apparent social problems. It's recovering and healing from the loss of an identity. Many natives find it a hopeless situation.

Of course, I should also mention that the Canadian government gives anybody with native heritage (directly or indirectly) "Indian status" which gives them certain rights. Off the top of my head, they are able to hunt or fish at times and in areas which are often off limits to non-native Canadians. They are exempt from certain taxes and they get free education, etc. However, I think these special agreements are only valid if they live on a reservation. But reservations, which are federal jurisdiction, are often so full of poverty.

As well, there are often conflicts between provincial jurisdiction and federal jurisdiction, so such issues can be complicated. And then you have Canadians who just see natives as being freeloaders, or who disagree with them getting special treatment. But the natives fully take advantage of their special rights because its one of the few forms of empowerment they're able to take advantage of.

Anyhow, I am rambling on and on, but perhaps it will give a few people a hint of this "tip of the iceberg".

Originally Posted by Lychee (Post 6000092)

Many First Nations were screwed over by the government in a variety of ways.

Originally Posted by YYZlover (Post 6000847)

Anyone who wants to gain a sliver of understanding of aboriginals/first nations in today's society should see "Rabbit Proof Fence"

Originally Posted by bazzz (Post 6000998)

We watched this. Mrs Bazzz was very disappointed by the lack of bunny rabbits.

Originally Posted by oldbag (Post 6001788)

Do you have to try hard to be silly, or does it come naturally? :huh:

Originally Posted by mc_dub (Post 6003510)

He's making a point

Originally Posted by mc_dub (Post 6003510)

He's making a point

Originally Posted by buzz365 (Post 6004056)

Which is?

Originally Posted by montreal mike (Post 6005073)

Does anyone here know what some of them have to put up with?