The Continuant Domination of The Aboriginal People Essay -- Canada Can

The Continuant Domination of the Aboriginal People In any Canadian history class we learnt about how the Europeans settled in Canada to build a new life. Furthermore, as kids we have always learnt that Christopher Columbus had discovered Canada as an empty piece of land, with no habitants whatsoever. (Flashback Canada, 1994) These statements are false. Native Canadians had already been living in Canada, and the European settlers basically just moved tight in regardless. Setting up their own Government, and being the aggressor in the country took control of everything the aboriginals had. It was said that to the aboriginals it looked like â€Å"mercantilists wanted our furs, missionaries wanted our souls, colonial governments, and later, Canada, wanted our lands.† (Razack, 2002) The purpose of this paper is to show how the government of Canada, also known as the majority has taken advantage of the native peoples of this country. This has happened in many ways, but one of the most important techniques is land control. In addition, the treatment of the aboriginal people in Canada demonstrates how the dominant group utilizes the technique of land control to dominate the minority group. This is can be seen though the forcing of the native people to relocate, how the government responds to land claims made by the natives, and how the aboriginals have to settle for insufficient land. Throughout history in Europe, there was a concept of inalienability of sovereignty, meaning that people who were inhabitance of a colony firstly, did not have to adapt to ways and laws of other settlers. (McNeil, 2002) This was not the case when European settlers came to Canada, and forced the concept of assimilation upon the aboriginals who already resided in the country. The dominant group forced them to relocate to reserves, and as well forced them to abide by their laws, even though it was not based on the political philosophy of Europe. Reasoning being, the government wanted to have control of the land that was occupied by the Indians, because the government could use the land to develop business which can help them build the economy. (Aboriginal Rights Coalition, 1999) In addition, any resources that were available would be controlled by the dominant group, because they wanted to have control of the resources, because it could be used in trade with other countries. (Abor... ... great financial affect upon the aboriginals. This was just another technique used, by the government to stay on top. Even though they were given some land by the state, it was insufficient land to live on and the natural resources that the aboriginals required to have a good state of living were altered purposely, and nothing the aboriginals could do about it. In addition, even though things are getting a little bit better for the aboriginals, it will take a lot of compensation to make up for the years and years of dreadful treatment. Works Cited McNeil,Kent. "Self-government and the inalienability of aboriginal title." McGill Law Journal 47 (n.d.). Moore, Doorathy. UN doc. York University, Toronto. 9 Feb. 2005. Moore, Dorathy. Dimentions of Racism. York University, Toronto. 13 Oct. 2004. Razack, Sherene. "Race, Space and Law: Unmapping a White Settler Society." Between the Line (2002): 26-30. Redbird, Duke. "A Metis View of the Development of A Native Canadian People." Rev. of Aboriginal Rights and Land Claims. Usher, Peter. "Environment, race and nation reconsidered: reflection on Aboriginal land claims in Canada." The Canadian Geographer 47 (2003).