The First Nations in Canada

The First Nations' Struggle for Recognition and Equality in Modern Canada.


Today Canada is one of the most multi-cultural country in the world. 500 years ago, the only people living in Canada were the Aboriginal people of Canada."Aboriginal" means the original inhabitants, the people who were here first. The words "Native" are also used, and mean the same thing.

As much as we konw,there are not many "Native" around our lives.Therefore,there are some questions that where they are living , what language they are speaking and what kind of lifestyle they are. Eventhough we don't really konw that,the Aboriginal still try really hard to make their own lives better and protect their cultures to be continued and developed. In the Modern canada, what the Fist Nations struggled for recognition and equality are so hard.

Canada’s first people used at least 53 different languages. Each group referred to themselves by a specific name in their own language and most of which are spoken only in Canada and are in decline.

Two of Canada's territories gave official status to native languages. In Nunavut, Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun are official languages alongside English and French, and Inuktitut is a common vehicular language in government. which with about 29,000 speakers in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Nunavik (Northern Quebec), and Nunatsiavut (Northern Labrador); and Mi'kmaq, with around 8,500 speakers, mostly in Eastern Canada. Many aboriginal peoples have lost their native languages and often all but surviving elders, speak English or French as their first language.

As they try so hard to keep their own language,they recived lots of helps of learing an Aboriginal language from their parents.Moreover, school also plays an importan role.In 2001 APS showed that almost 68% childen who could understand or speak an Aboriginal language received help from thire parents and almost 36% children are received help from their teachers.
It was in 1972 that the first on-reserve First Nation school was established. Since then, numerous First Nation communities have taken over local control of their schools. Further more, in the past 37 years they have seen some impressive changes:

Moving from zero schools in 1972 to over 500 schools in 2008; Approximately 33,000 First Nations students enrolled in post-secondary institutions yearly and more than 4,000 First Nations post-secondary graduate each year; Thousands of First Nation teachers and administrators working in our schools today; Over 80% of First Nations youth who say they value speaking their language ; And the emergence of on-reserve Early Childcare Centres, and many more signs of success.

As of the 2006 Canadian Census there were over 1,172,790 Aboriginal people in Canada, 3.8% of the country's total population. 2006 Census, Statistics Canada] This comprises 698,025 people of First Nations descent, 389,785 Métis, and 50,485 Inuit. National representative bodies of Aboriginal people in Canada include the Assembly of First Nations, the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the Métis National Council, the Native Women's Association of Canada, the National Association of Friendship Centers and the Congress of Aboriginal People.

Part of the reason for the increase is higher birth rates among aboriginals compared to the non-aboriginal population, according to Statistics Canada.But it's also because more people than before are identifying themselves as aboriginal.

Canada is becoming one of the most multi-culturel countries in the world. Lots of people from anywhere of the world immigrated to Canada in the past 20years. The Aboriginal people still have their rights and territories. because in the early 1976 the Nisga'a Treaty is the first modern-day treaty in B.C and is the fourteenth modern treaty in Canada, Aboriginal people are treated on recongnition and equality. The Nisga'a Treaty sets out the land and resources that form part of the agreement between Canada, B.C. and the Nisga'a Nation. Also,the Treaty sets out the Nisga'a's right to self-government, and the authority to manage lands and resources.
The Nisga'a Treaty has historic impact in Canada, and provides insights for future land claims negotiations in Canada and in other jurisdictions. The Nisga'a Treaty is often called "a beacon of hope."

Aborigines were nomadic and lived in clans that were united through common traditions in music, art, and tribal ceremonies. In the late 18th century there were 500-600 distinct groups of aborigines speaking about 200 different languages or dialects. They lived by hunting and gathering, and there was extensive inter-group trade throughout the continent. Prior to the Treaty, the Nisga'a Villages delivered health, education, social and other services through a variety of federal and provincial programs.

Then, the modern ways of life have brought dramatic social changes to Native people. Mang Aboriginal seniors are no longer considered productive members of their society. The conveniences, electronic gadgetry, improved medical treatment and changing family structures mean that many Aboriginal seniors now have little opportunity to contribute to their own community.

In conclusion, what I mentioned above shows that the Aboriginal have made the success of the recognition and equal treatment on languages land and lifestyle are the result of their continued efforts and perseverance. And their spirit is worth protecting because they are protected the history of Canada and continue .


Reference:

[http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/release/aboriginal.cfm Aboriginal peoples]

[http://www.our-story.ca/TrevorJang.html]

[http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ai/mr/is/nit-eng.asp]

[http://www.gov.bc.ca/arr/treaty/negotiating/why.html]

[http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2005-2009/2009OTP0060-000606.pdf]

[http://www.gov.bc.ca/]