3.3.5 Contemporary Effects on Indigenous People
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3.3.5 Contemporary Effects on Indigenous People
How should contemporary society respond to the legacies of historical globalization?
The legacies of historical globalization continue to affect Aboriginal people today. The social and economic condition faced by Indigenous people around the world have been affected in many ways. This is certainly true of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas. Consider some facts about the Indigenous people of Canada in comparison to the other Canadian population:
Drawing conclusions: Look at this data and try to analyze it objectively. Does it tell you something about the legacies of globalization on Aboriginal people?
There are many reasons that Canada's First Nation, Mètis, and Inuit are struggling due to the legacies of imperialism.
Data about the Indigenous people of Central America, of South America, Australia, and New Zealand show similar results. We can also find similar results for African-American people in the United States.
Non-Status First Nations people who are not on the Indian Register are referred to non-Status Indians. The Metis are also non-Status. Because their bands were not covered by a treaty, or they lost their status, they didn't have these benefits.
Giving up your status. Up until 1955, a status Indian lost treaty rights (their status) if he or she:
In 1985 the government ruled that people who had lost their status for one of the above reasons could apply to get it back. Since then 100,000 more people have been added to the Indian Register.
In 2013 a federal court case gave Mètis and non-Status Indians the right to be called "Indians" as defined in the constitution.
How should contemporary society respond? What do the First People around the world have in common? Their cultures were devastated by the newcomers. Should we say "not our problem"? Or, as should we, as global citizens, work to resolve these issues so there will be a better life for everyone?
| Indigenous | Canada | |
|
Life Expectancy
Source: Health Canada 2017 |
Men 73 years
Women 79 years |
Men 79 years
Women 83 years |
|
Youth Suicide Rate
Source: Statistics Canada, 2011-2016 |
23 per 100 000 | 8 per 100 000 |
|
Youth Incarceration Rates
Source: Statistics Canada, 2017 |
8% of youth in Canada 46% of youth incarcerations |
|
|
Infant Mortality Rate
Source: Statistics Canada 2006 |
9.6 per 1000 live births | 4.4 per 1000 live births |
|
Education
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 |
48% have a university or college degree or diploma |
65% have a university or college degree or diploma |
| Median After-Tax Income
Source: Statistics Canada 2016 |
$24 277 |
$30 861 |
Drawing conclusions: Look at this data and try to analyze it objectively. Does it tell you something about the legacies of globalization on Aboriginal people?
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The Aboriginal youth suicide rate is nearly three times the national average.
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Young Aboriginal people are nearly 6 times more likely to go to jail.
-
Most Aboriginal people earn less than 80% of what non-Aboriginal Canadians earn.
There are many reasons that Canada's First Nation, Mètis, and Inuit are struggling due to the legacies of imperialism.
Data about the Indigenous people of Central America, of South America, Australia, and New Zealand show similar results. We can also find similar results for African-American people in the United States.
The
Indian Act was a law passed in 1876 that is still in effect today. Its official name is "An Act Respecting Indians."
During the 1800s, First Nations people who were part of a band that had signed a treaty with the government were listed on something called the "Indian Register." If your name was on the register, you were entitled to the benefits that were set out in your treaty. Those people and their descendants are called registered or status Indians. Sometimes they are also called "treaty" because they are entitled to the benefits laid out on the treaty. People whose names are on the Indian Register may obtain a status card that allows them to cross the border with the United States, sort of like a passport.
Benefits of Status: The main rights of people who hold status were established under legal treaties signed in the 1700s and 1800s. Rights include:
During the 1800s, First Nations people who were part of a band that had signed a treaty with the government were listed on something called the "Indian Register." If your name was on the register, you were entitled to the benefits that were set out in your treaty. Those people and their descendants are called registered or status Indians. Sometimes they are also called "treaty" because they are entitled to the benefits laid out on the treaty. People whose names are on the Indian Register may obtain a status card that allows them to cross the border with the United States, sort of like a passport.
Benefits of Status: The main rights of people who hold status were established under legal treaties signed in the 1700s and 1800s. Rights include:
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the right to live on a
reserve
-
an extended hunting season
-
different rules regarding carrying a gun;
-
exemption from federal and provincial taxes
-
more freedom regarding gambling and cigarettes
Non-Status First Nations people who are not on the Indian Register are referred to non-Status Indians. The Metis are also non-Status. Because their bands were not covered by a treaty, or they lost their status, they didn't have these benefits.
Giving up your status. Up until 1955, a status Indian lost treaty rights (their status) if he or she:
-
wanted to vote
-
got a college degree
-
became an ordained minister
-
was an Aboriginal woman who married a non-Status man
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having a mother and paternal grandmother who did not have status before marriage
-
was born to a mother with status and a father without status
In 1985 the government ruled that people who had lost their status for one of the above reasons could apply to get it back. Since then 100,000 more people have been added to the Indian Register.
In 2013 a federal court case gave Mètis and non-Status Indians the right to be called "Indians" as defined in the constitution.
Reflect
How should contemporary society respond? What do the First People around the world have in common? Their cultures were devastated by the newcomers. Should we say "not our problem"? Or, as should we, as global citizens, work to resolve these issues so there will be a better life for everyone?