  Alcoholism and drug abuse are rampant within many Aboriginal communities.  Cycles of abuse are prevalent. Think yesterdays class.  Some reserve conditions are poor and border on 3 rd world living.  Education and graduation rates are low for students who live on reserve.  Diabetes, suicide, tuberculosis rates are also high.  Unemployment rates are double that of non-Aboriginal Canadians. Aboriginal Social Issues

 A paper policy that proposed ending the special legal relationship between Aboriginal peoples and Canada within the Indian Act.  Under Pierre Trudeau and his Minister of Indian Affiars, Jean Chretien.  Proposed as a way to attain equality for all Canadians.  Would eliminate “Indian” status, convert reserves to private property, terminate treaties, abolish Indian Affairs, Abolish the Indian Act.  Was seen by Aboriginal Canadians and many non-Aboriginal Canadians as racist legislation. Many refer to it as an attempt at “cultural genocide” White Paper (1969)

 Red Paper (1970) -After widespread protest, a response was made to the Canadian government. -The Red Paper was a response to the proposed white paper by Aboriginal leaders and chiefs, essentially stopping white paper from being passed. -Adressed all cultural and status rights that they would lose under the White Paper. - In response to Red Paper, Trudeau was quoted as saying “We will keep them in the ghetto as long as they want.”

 National Indian Brotherhood (1968) and the Assembly of First Nations (1980)  A body of First Nations leaders in Canada. These groups campaign for the rights of Aboriginal peoples in Canada. (not Inuit)  Aims are to protect the rights, treaty obligations, ceremonies, and claims of citizens of First Nations in Canada.  Organized in 1968 as the NIB and expanded becoming the Assembly of First Nations.

 Section 35 of the Constitution Act (1982)  Recognized and reaffirmed Aboriginal and treaty rights in the Canadian Constitution.  “Treaty rights” includes agreements made for land claims  Rights were to be equally guaranteed for male and female persons.  Any law, document, treaty that had actively extinguished Aboriginal rights no longer existed and was abolished.

 Bill C-31: Amendment to the Indian Act (1985)  Changed the registration system so that entitlement was no longer based on sexually discriminatory rules. THE AMMENDMENTS WOULD:  Treat men and women equally  Treat children equally whether they are born in or out of wedlock  Prevent anyone from gaining or losing status through marriage.  Restore Indian status to those who lost it through discrimination or attempting to vote.  Allow children from parents of Aboriginal descent who had their status wrongly removed, to apply for status.

 The Oka Crisis (1990)  First Nations of the area were outraged that the expansion of a golf course was planned on what was considered sacred Mohawk land. Had a sacred cemetery on the proposed course.  Mohawk Warrior society blocks roads using blockades and armed/unarmed resistance.  Quebec Provincial Police and S.W.A.T are called in.

 Oka Crisis Continued..  When police advanced on July 11 th, gunfire broke out and an officer was killed  The blockades increased on both sides  Premier Bourassa called in the Canadian Forces  Several months of stand off and tension occurred  September the Mohawks were convinced to end the stand-off  Eventually the federal government purchased the land and gave it to the First Nations group

 Nisga'a Treaty  The Nisga’a  Were first to make a land claim against the Cdn government in 1912  The Indian Act made it illegal for them to raise funds for land claims  The group continued to struggle until the 1990’s when the Supreme Courts acknowledged their right to land existed  1996  the Nisga’a were offered  8% of the originially claimed land  ownership of the forests  partial profits from fisheries and hydro development  right to develop their own Municipal Government  190 million over 15 years  The Nisga’a agreed to become tax payers

 Canadian Government Apology (2008)  2 billion dollars is given as compensation for survivors of residential schools.  An official apology from the Canadian government is issued.

 UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (2010)  In 2006 Canada votes against adopting the draft of the document.  2007-Canada is 1 of 4 countries to vote against adopting the document  2010-Canada finally signs on despite noting concerns.

 Attawapiskat State of Emergency (Nov. 2011)  First Nations community in Northern Ontario that declared a state of emergency in their community. Experienced 3 rd world conditions.  Due to poor housing conditions, no heat, no/poor drinking water, and no aid coming in from the government to the people themselves.  Chief Theresa Spense, once seen as a figurehead for the crisis is now under scrutiny for not using money provided by the government to remedy the situation.  Attiwapaskat Housing Crisis: ws/canada/attawapisk at-crisis-sparks- political-blame-game ws/canada/attawapisk at-crisis-sparks- political-blame-game

 Indigenous in the City  hfire//2011/11/indige nious-in-the-city.html hfire//2011/11/indige nious-in-the-city.html