First Nations culture stifled

Page 4

In the maze of ethnic and cultural diversity called Canada, there is a group of people whose history and identification is unlike any other cultural group.

The Canadian Indian, or as we prefer to be addressed, the First Nations, is a group that has been disposed, relocated, ignored, pacified and again re-located. Throughout history the transitions of our people have been due to the attitude and discriminating policy of the government.

Rather than being recognized as Canada's First People, Indians are often referred to as an ethnic group. This is not acceptable. We are not a foreign entity who immigrated to this country - quite the contrary. The first Nations people lived harmoniously in Canada long before non-Natives arrived.

Why is it that First Nation's people have been singled out in a country of numerous ethnic groups to have their culture systematically destroyed?

Many ethnic groups immigrate to Canada and continue to practice their cultural ceremonies and speak their languages without interference from government policies prohibiting cultural recognition. Immigrants are encouraged to exercise their freedom through their culture. Even lotteries recognize different cultures on their ticket faces, celebrating the Chinese New Year, for example.

But land on Indian reserves belongs to the Crown and the people who live there are subject to rules and regulations concerning use and productivity of that land. Somehow that just doesn't seem fair. The government gave us land in exchange for bigger tracts of land, then told us how to live on it. And if they need a new golf course - hell, move the Indians. It seems they thought we wouldn't be around for long.

I recognize this situation as selective discrimination. History has taken away our languages and our traditional ceremonies. Our spirituality has been labelled as demonic. Public attitude is based on a Hollywood fabrication of Indian savagery that portrays us as unreasonable, violent people, unequal to reigning non-Natives. The attitude and bigotry is passed through the generations and is associated with fear. Fear is ignorance.

When the first Europeans arrived on the shores of North America they viewed the indigenous poulation as being savage and barbaric, of having no forms of government or chartered boundaries. In terms of European standards we were quite uncivilized.

It's ironic that these same civilized Europeans have not yet updated their standards. Recognition and rights of the Indian people have not evolved with the rest of Canada. We should be thanked for sharing our country, and they should learn from our cultural base and respect us for our generosity.

I think we could learn a lot from the Chinese. They have managed to preserve their culture in this maze and maintain an acceptable level of respect. I wonder if they have a special deal with the government?