Political Imperialism in Canada
... ” -Supreme Court of Canada (1973) The issue of the right of Aboriginals’ to self-govern dominates a majority of political discussion in Canada. ... Land claims and self-government are the means by which Aboriginal people can continue to assert their distinct identity and still have access to the social, economic and political institutions of Canadian society. ... Canada as a whole must therefore commit to ensuring sustained respect for this society within a society, and resist the temptation to possibly disassociate or isolate a differentiated people. ... ” -Royal Proclamation of 1763 Canada’s international reputation of multi-culturalism, respect, and harmony among cultures has played a significant role in achieving the status of best country in the world to live, as rated by the United Nations. ... The shift from partnership to domination began in the 18th century, as the political dynamic of Canada began to change. By 1812, immigrants to Canada, from Europe and elsewhere, outnumbered Aboriginals by ten to one. ... But protection eventually took the form of compulsory education, economic adjustment programs, social and political control by federal agents, and much more. ... The image of Canada in the world and at home demands no less. ... ” -Marlene Buffalo The standard of living in Canada is one of the highest in the world yet the standard of living among the same country’s Aboriginals is significantly lower. ... In international law, which Canada respects, all peoples have a right of self-determination. ... In most of their early dealings with Indigenous peoples in what is now Canada, the colonial powers recognized them as self-governing nations - codifying their recognition in treaties. And the right of self-government within Canada is acknowledged and protected by the constitution. It recognizes that Aboriginal rights are older than Canada itself and that their continuity was part of the bargain between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people that made Canada possible. Efforts to Implement Self-Government “After some 500 years of a relationship that has swung from partnership to domination, from mutual respect and co-operation to paternalism and attempted assimilation, Canada must now work out fair and lasting terms of coexistence with Aboriginal people. ... To some, strength is found in The Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, a comprehensive research effort formed in part to address the problems of defining and implementing meaningful Aboriginal self-government in Canada. The Report identifies the point of change in the transition to Aboriginal self-government is recognition; recognition by Canada as whole of the history of abuse and violation of the Aboriginals and of the need for respect for distinct and unique qualities of the Native culture.