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We need international pressure on Canada to abolish the Indian Act (still around and kicking since 1876). By now, in the early 21st century, it's clear that it's trapping many reserve communities in isolation, endemic poverty, material deprivation, substandard education and health care, etc. It's way past time for it to go. Maybe an international business boycott of Canada is required to wake up people here.
Does that sound too melodramatic? Do you think Canada's not that backward? Really?
Here's a chilling blast from the past... Take a look at this old activist music video from the 1980s, protesting Apartheid in South Africa, this is the anti-Sun City resort boycott. Apartheid was modelled on the Indian Act. The information on apartheid in the video is a direct parallel to conditions affecting people living on our remote First Nations reserves. In 2016. It's warped. Why aren't we busy fixing this?
They *are* moving to cities in large numbers now, as the population of isolated reserves continues to grow rapidly due to high birth rates.
In particular, many cities in a wide area from northern Ontario to Saskatchewan have seen their aboriginal populations explode.
While urban aboriginal populations have historically been small, this is changing fast. Prince Albert SK which has about 40,000 people is closing in on 50% of its population being aboriginal.
In a generation, Winnipeg, which is a pretty big city, could be one third aboriginal.
Interesting comments.. How are they doing in more heavily populated centres with the size and resources available to make for a 'better life', as opposed to their more rural and isolated counterparts? I don't necessarily even mean maintaining culture or traditions as much as just a willingness to independently feed, cloth and shelter themselves, essentially the foundational aspects of Maslow's pyramid.. It would be interesting to see the suicide stats between those settled in more densely and connected centres vs isolated communities.
In any event, after reading through many interesting comments, it looks like there is no easy solution to this.
Interesting comments.. How are they doing in more heavily populated centres with the size and resources available to make for a 'better life', as opposed to their more rural and isolated counterparts? I don't necessarily even mean maintaining culture or traditions as much as just a willingness to independently feed, cloth and shelter themselves, essentially the foundational aspects of Maslow's pyramid.. It would be interesting to see the suicide stats between those settled in more densely and connected centres vs isolated communities.
In any event, after reading through many interesting comments, it looks like there is no easy solution to this.
My sense is that it is "not as bad" as opposed to being "better".
For a good idea, check out the North End of a city like Winnipeg. And that city's homicide rate and who the victims tend to be.
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