Essay on debate about Natives

Submitted By wenjing1223
Words: 800
Pages: 4

Topic: Native peoples have been adequately compensated for loss of land/ culture by the Canadian government. (Affirmative)
The Native peoples have been adequately compensated for their loss of land and culture by the Canadian government. This can be shown through
1. The treaties between the Canadian government and the Aboriginal peoples
2. The status card
3. Laws that assist the Natives in today’s society
The first point states, “The treaties between the Canadian government and the Aboriginal peoples.” 1) It was the Aboriginal peoples’ decision to sign the treaties with the British Crown which were recognized and affirmed by Canada’s Constitution. 2) It should also be noted that in the Historic treaties after Confederation: the First Nations who occupied these territories gave up large areas of land to the Crown. In exchange, the treaties provided for such things as reserve lands and other benefits like farm equipment and animals, annual payments, ammunition, clothing and certain rights to hunt and fish. The Crown also made some promises such as maintaining schools on reserves or providing teachers or educational help to the First Nation named in the treaties. Treaty No. 6 included the promise of a medicine chest. 3) Also there has been many Modern treaties—comprehensive claims, and the first of which was the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement signed in 1975. To date, the federal government has settled 24 self-government and comprehensive land claim areas with Aboriginal people in Canada, two of which are stand-alone self-government. 4) As well, the Canadian government has granted the Aboriginals with self-government agreements which are one means of building sound governance and institutional capacity that allow Aboriginal communities to contribute to, and participate in the decisions that affect their lives and carry out effective relationships with other governments. They also provide greater certainty over rights to natural resources, contributing to a more positive investment climate and creating greater potential for economic development, jobs and growth. The second point, the status card gives Aboriginals access to benefits, programs and services administered by federal agencies and provincial governments. Such benefits include exemption from taxes, as well as money for ammunition and annuities, and hunting and fishing rights on unoccupied land. As stated previously the act states that "personal property of an Indian or a band situated on a reserve" is tax exempt. Also Status Indian working on a reserve is exempt from income taxes which could add up to thousands of dollars. As well Status Indians do not generally pay the federal goods and services tax or provincial sales tax if they buy something on a reserve or if it is destined for a reserve. Free post-secondary education is also one of the benefits of a Status Indian. The cost of which could add up to more than $10,000. The participation rates in this program has been growing, this results in more Natives being able to achieve a higher level of education. The Canadian government has also set forth many laws and acts which assists the Aboriginals. Some of which are the
The Constitution Act, 1982 (section 35 recognizes and affirms existing Aboriginal rights)
In 1992 the Aboriginal Justice Initiative was established and has been working with Native communities to improve justice institutions for Aboriginals and help