Explain The Issues Facing Indigenous People In Canada

The over-representation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system is a large problem in society and reasons as to why this may be occurring need to be examined (Walker & McDonald, 1995; AIC, 2013). Indigenous Australians make up less than three per cent of the overall Australian population, however Indigenous people are over-represented in Australian prison populations, with imprisonment rates that are around 12 times those of the rest of the Australian population (AIC, 2013). Rates of over-representation are even higher in juvenile detention, with a 10-17 year old Indigenous person being around 24 times more likely to be in detention than a non-Indigenous person of the same age (AIC, 2013; Cunneen & White, 2011). Indigenous Australians overrepresentation in the criminal justice system is usually due to offences pertaining to violence and public disorder (ABS, 2010; Hogg & Carrignton, 2006). This is endorsed by the fact that Indigenous Australians currently make up 40 per cent of those imprisoned for assault offences (AIC, 2013). The over representation of Indigenous Australians in the criminal justice system may be attributed to a variety of reasons, known as risk factors (AIC, 2013).

The Department currently is planning to support programs that develop culturally-relevant curricula and evidence-based activities that work for Indigenous students and is committed to improving education infrastructure in First Nations communities. While elementary and secondary education are a provincial or territorial responsibility, the Department funds elementary and secondary education for Indigenous students residing on reserve. There is funding support for post-secondary education for eligible students. The role of the Department in this area is to work with willing partners to advance the work on education for Indigenous students and help improve educational outcomes. It also aims to build the capacity of First Nations to provide educational services and improve education service delivery.

The provincial government’s failure to properly consult with the Mi’kmaq demonstrates how governments tend to favor economic development over the wellbeing of the people. The health of Indigenous Peoples is related to the health of their surrounding environments. What happens in these spaces affects them greatly. Because of their strong relationship with the environment, it is therefore important for Indigenous Peoples to be involved in decision-making and policy development in their communities. According to Black and McBean (2016), “Indigenous-centered policy frameworks should: recognize Indigenous knowledge, recognize Indigenous Peoples’ inherent right to self-determination, use inclusive and integrative knowledge systems, rely on community-based participatory approaches, and use circular and holistic viewpoints” (p. 12). In my research, I will explore how decision-making and participation should be done according to the Mi’kmaq

This case study will outline how contemporary health issues impact on Indigenous Australians, how they were created by history and policy, and how Human and Indigenous rights relate to and can improve these issues. Indigenous Australians have poorer health outcomes than non-Indigenous Australians (Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet, 2016, para. 8). The reasons for this are multifaceted and can be attributed to a mixture of issues, such as low socioeconomic status, health services not being culturally suitable, and remoteness being a factor (Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet, 2016, para. 9).

Acquiring an education and the act of being educated in a school are two enormously different teachings. Indigenous Peoples of the world have been educating each other within their own communities for thousands of years. Through the processes of ritual, spirituality, and tradition, these cultures thrive, sustainably, by living in unison with their land. As Dr. Weber-Pillwax explains, First Nations Peoples of Canada live in relationship to their "to the land" and their "the community" and these values are therefore ingrained into Aboriginal identity. Furthermore, the molecular transference of these distinct features of First Nations culture, which Dr. Weber-Pillwax articulates using Dr. Candace Pert's theory of "molecules of emotions," transcend

Many Indigenous groups have criticized Canada for failing to respect land agreements with indigenous communities or to consult with them regularly, including with regard to resource extraction plans on traditional lands. The government has yet to pay high attention to severe poverty, housing, clean water, better sewage disposal, healthcare, and education problems in indigenous communities, particularly those in remote and rural areas. You would think the solution for this would be obvious but inadequate access to clean, safe drinking water continues to pose a major public health concern in a number of indigenous communities. Sadly, this is not all. In 2014 alone, 66% of homicide victims in Canada were Aboriginal. The rates of homicide for nonaboriginal woman has dropped since 1990 but the rates of the aboriginal woman killed have increased. In 1990, 14% of aboriginal women were killed and as of 2014, it is up to 21%. And according to CBC, aboriginal men are three times more likely than the aboriginal woman. Canada needs to be willing to establish a public inquiry and action plan for the murdered and missing aboriginal people. There needs to be budging set in place to ensure mining companies and police forces do not abuse human

A summary of two cases such as Taku River Tlingit First Nation v. British Columbia and Tsilhqot’in Nation v. British Columbia that occurred in 2004 and 2007, respectfully. Both of these cases were taken to the Supreme Court of Canada regarding the importance of consulting and accommodating First Nations in projects. It is essential that the consult and accommodate their interest so that their rights may not be violated. The importance of following the Environmental Assessment procedure in which it is mandatory to consult the first nation group through their representatives and the general population in order to know their expectations. In addition, knowing the impact and benefits of the proposed project, this was a case that was ignored by the by the Canadian Government during residential

It is natural for many to ask, “Why is this even an issue for society? Aren’t most Aboriginals in reserves?” These type questions bring upon a new layer of difficulty to the issue. The fact is the Aboriginal community is lashing back at the inability to sustain themselves. The reason the issue is effecting every member and organization of society whether it be government, Canadian businesses, or the common individual within society; whether they are Aboriginal or not is quite complex. Although it is a complex issue, there are reasons for the issue being public and not private. The first of which is the fact Aboriginals were put into reserves in the first place. This prevented them from learning and growing along with

The use of external consultants, though being a reasonable tool to aid in ensuring community needs were being met, was found to be over-exhausted, and meant that the allocated budget for the project was insufficient in order to actually construct and repair the proposed houses. Contributing to this increase in costs was that the community response detailed that the proposed housing was inadequate. This feedback was accepted and therefore included in SIHIP, resulting in the cost increase from $450,000 per house to

“The First Nations people are the status and non-status “Indian” or indigenous people in Canada” (Aboriginal, 2012). Thirty-two million people residing in Canada are indigenous or aboriginal. Currently there are “617 different First Nation bands with half being status Indians, 30 percent Metis, 15 percent unregistered, and 4 percent Inuit”. These First Nation populations are the “youngest and fastest growing populations of Canada” and therefore have a big significance and role in Canadian life (Anaya, 2014).

It is very difficult to define indigenous people. No philosopher has invented a holistic definition of these people of the world. However, they are those people too impoverished in all societies worldwide, reorganized by their respective societies as indigenous natives, are identified with the pre and post colonial continuity, having links with historical kingdoms and live around natural resources with a peculiar political, economic and social set up. Over seventy nations of this world habit indigenous people estimated to be 370 millions. What is so important is that they a rich in cultural archeology, linguistically exorbitant with diverse religions, storytelling, art and traditions. In states where colonial

"Do you feel the government is doing enough to address the situation of indigenous people in Canada?"

Aboriginal peoples in Canada, have historically been and continue to be victims of political injustices which now characterize the Canadian Society.

The overall recommendation is for the federal government to allot certain resources that will be distributed to charities including but not limited to: First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada, Aboriginal Human Resource Council, and the Habitat for Humanity’s Indigenous Housing Program. Moreover, the resources could be given to leaders in certain First Nations communities to distribute to their

The contemporary concern for indigenous people at the international platform gained its popularity from the long-standing Sui generis deviation of self-determination standard, that supplements the Sui generis deviation which the twentieth century classic colonialism represents (Anaya 1996). Indeed, the concept of indigenous people is usually understood to mean a culturally cohesive group who suffers inequality with the state wherein they leave because of historical empire or conquest (UN DOC 1986; Anaya 1996). However, the year 1994, the sub-Commission on prevention of discrimination and protection of Minorities adopted a draft on the declaration on the rights of the indigenous peoples: “they acknowledged that UN Charter, the International Covenants affirmed the fundamental importance of the right of self-determination of all peoples, by virtue of which they can freely determine political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development, bearing in mind that nothing in this declaration may be used to deny any peoples their right of self-determination” (Brownlie & Guy, 2006:195-6). Article 3 of the UN declaration of the rights of indigenous people asserts that “indigenous peoples have the right of self-determination of all peoples, by which they can freely determine political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development” (Brownlie & Guy, 2006:197). Furthermore, Article 6 states that “indigenous peoples have the collective