The Aboriginal Crisis:
This is not a party problem; this is a Canadian problem
Lack of health care, widespread poverty, employment barriers, high suicide rates, drug abuse, segregation, and lack of drinkable water. These are conditions commonly used to describe developing countries, yet they describe a majority of Canada’s Aboriginal reserves. For a country who have cities on several, notable “Most Livable” lists, these conditions seem foreign. Varying political parties have tried to blame one another for this problem, however, the lack of urgency to solve these issues have been apparent in all ruling parties over the years. This is not a party problem; this is a Canadian problem. In 2015, there are more questions than answers regarding …show more content…
One of the possible reforms the government has jurisdiction to influence is educational reform. The federal government could urge the provincial governments to re-write the Aboriginal sections of the educational curriculum to include current Aboriginal affairs and culture. This could positively influence future generations to not rely on stereotypes when regarding Aboriginal people in Canada. Another reform could be incentivising non-profit organizations to work on the reserves to provide health and clean water programs. This incentive could be provided through setting aside money for organizations who work with Aboriginal …show more content…
In my opinion, it is unfair for Canadians to solely blame the government for the slow reforms around Aboriginal affairs. Instead, there needs to be a more honest dialogue between Aboriginal peoples and the rest of Canada. This honest dialogue may include more news coverage of talks between Aboriginal people and the government, more exposure of Aboriginal culture in Canadian media, and a greater emphasis of Aboriginal culture through community initiatives. As I researched on Aboriginal peoples in Canada, there was so much I did not know. Aboriginal people are just as Canadian as I am, yet my knowledge surrounding them is minimal. Without awareness, there is no sympathy and with no sympathy there is no widespread
This is not a party problem; this is a Canadian problem
Lack of health care, widespread poverty, employment barriers, high suicide rates, drug abuse, segregation, and lack of drinkable water. These are conditions commonly used to describe developing countries, yet they describe a majority of Canada’s Aboriginal reserves. For a country who have cities on several, notable “Most Livable” lists, these conditions seem foreign. Varying political parties have tried to blame one another for this problem, however, the lack of urgency to solve these issues have been apparent in all ruling parties over the years. This is not a party problem; this is a Canadian problem. In 2015, there are more questions than answers regarding …show more content…
One of the possible reforms the government has jurisdiction to influence is educational reform. The federal government could urge the provincial governments to re-write the Aboriginal sections of the educational curriculum to include current Aboriginal affairs and culture. This could positively influence future generations to not rely on stereotypes when regarding Aboriginal people in Canada. Another reform could be incentivising non-profit organizations to work on the reserves to provide health and clean water programs. This incentive could be provided through setting aside money for organizations who work with Aboriginal …show more content…
In my opinion, it is unfair for Canadians to solely blame the government for the slow reforms around Aboriginal affairs. Instead, there needs to be a more honest dialogue between Aboriginal peoples and the rest of Canada. This honest dialogue may include more news coverage of talks between Aboriginal people and the government, more exposure of Aboriginal culture in Canadian media, and a greater emphasis of Aboriginal culture through community initiatives. As I researched on Aboriginal peoples in Canada, there was so much I did not know. Aboriginal people are just as Canadian as I am, yet my knowledge surrounding them is minimal. Without awareness, there is no sympathy and with no sympathy there is no widespread