““Tribal Stigma”Tribal Stigma”Racial & Ethnic Issues in CanadaRacial & Ethnic Issues in Canada

A Minority Group Case StudyA Minority Group Case Study

The Yellow Quill TragedyThe Yellow Quill Tragedy

Read Globe and Mail reporter Christie Blatchford’s Read Globe and Mail reporter Christie Blatchford’s series on the Yellow Quill tragedy at…series on the Yellow Quill tragedy at…

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAhttp://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080213.wblatch13/BNStory/FrontM.20080213.wblatch13/BNStory/Front

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080214.wblatch14/BNStory/National/RTGAM.20080214.wblatch14/BNStory/National/columnistscolumnists

Case Study:Case Study:Canada’s Hidden Shame: The “Indian Canada’s Hidden Shame: The “Indian

Problem” (Augie Fleras 2005)Problem” (Augie Fleras 2005)

““Excessive emphasis on the Indian problem to Excessive emphasis on the Indian problem to the exclusion of positive dimensions has the the exclusion of positive dimensions has the effect of “framing” aboriginal people as a effect of “framing” aboriginal people as a problem people…aboriginal peoples are not a problem people…aboriginal peoples are not a problem but peoples whose lives are problem but peoples whose lives are complicated by forces beyond their control.” complicated by forces beyond their control.” (p. 302)(p. 302)

A Few Facts…A Few Facts… ““aboriginal people as a group remain at the aboriginal people as a group remain at the

bottom of the socioeconomic heap” bottom of the socioeconomic heap” (Fleras,2005)(Fleras,2005) For example (from 2001 Census)For example (from 2001 Census)

Only 42% age 15 and older are employed vs. 66% of Only 42% age 15 and older are employed vs. 66% of non-Aboriginal populationnon-Aboriginal population

Average income $15994 vs. $26914 (2001 Census)Average income $15994 vs. $26914 (2001 Census) Unemployment rate is 3 times national averageUnemployment rate is 3 times national average Life expectancy – males 68.9, females 76.3 (5 years Life expectancy – males 68.9, females 76.3 (5 years

less than non-Aboriginals)less than non-Aboriginals) Fertility 2.5 children (1.5 times national average)Fertility 2.5 children (1.5 times national average) Median age 24.7 in aboriginal communities compared Median age 24.7 in aboriginal communities compared

to 37.7 in non-aboriginal areasto 37.7 in non-aboriginal areas

Why? The Causes of Aboriginal Inequality..Why? The Causes of Aboriginal Inequality..

Former First Nations Chief, Matthew Coon Former First Nations Chief, Matthew Coon Come (1999) states:Come (1999) states: “…“…without adequate access to lands, resources, and without adequate access to lands, resources, and

without the jurisdiction required to benefit without the jurisdiction required to benefit meaningfully and sustainably from them, we are meaningfully and sustainably from them, we are given no choices. No number of apologies, policies, given no choices. No number of apologies, policies, token programs, or symbolic healing funds is going token programs, or symbolic healing funds is going to remedy this basic socio-economic fact…” (Coon to remedy this basic socio-economic fact…” (Coon Come, 1999 in Fleras, 2005)Come, 1999 in Fleras, 2005)

The Main Problems…The Main Problems…

A 2002 U.N. report has called the A 2002 U.N. report has called the maltreatment of Canada’s aboriginal people “a maltreatment of Canada’s aboriginal people “a national tragedy and a shameful disgrace”national tragedy and a shameful disgrace”

Key problems:Key problems: Lack of access to landLack of access to land Appropriation of resourcesAppropriation of resources Compromised culture and identityCompromised culture and identity No claim to nationhood or autonomyNo claim to nationhood or autonomy No self-governanceNo self-governance

Results:Results:

Powerlessness because of landlessnessPowerlessness because of landlessness Policy mistreatment because of “(o)ne hundred Policy mistreatment because of “(o)ne hundred

years of servitude, of protectionism and years of servitude, of protectionism and paternalism” (Buckley, 1992 in Fleras, 2005)paternalism” (Buckley, 1992 in Fleras, 2005)

The internalization of powerlessness and The internalization of powerlessness and impotence has become “self-hatred” (i.e. impotence has become “self-hatred” (i.e. suicide, domestic abuse, alcoholism, drug use)suicide, domestic abuse, alcoholism, drug use)

Erosion of cultural values and languageErosion of cultural values and language

Reservation LifeReservation Life In past reserves were “holding pens” to make In past reserves were “holding pens” to make

Canada “safe” for “settlers”Canada “safe” for “settlers” Evolved into areas of dire poverty fraught with Evolved into areas of dire poverty fraught with

social consequences of the conditionssocial consequences of the conditions Now, inadequate housing and basic servicesNow, inadequate housing and basic services Less than 50% of homes (2003) have water and Less than 50% of homes (2003) have water and

sewage connectionssewage connections On some reserves 95% unemployed or on welfareOn some reserves 95% unemployed or on welfare

Women complain of “male-dominated” band Women complain of “male-dominated” band councils, sexism, abuse i.e see CFB video councils, sexism, abuse i.e see CFB video “Without Fear” , for example“Without Fear” , for example

On-reserve vs. Off-reserve lifeOn-reserve vs. Off-reserve life

Reserves seen by some as “refuge from and Reserves seen by some as “refuge from and buffer against a hostile outside world”buffer against a hostile outside world”

But reserve dysfunctions of boredom, poor But reserve dysfunctions of boredom, poor conditions, inequality force many into citiesconditions, inequality force many into cities

Lose status benefits, suffer discrimination, Lose status benefits, suffer discrimination, forced onto welfare or into prostitution for forced onto welfare or into prostitution for survivalsurvival

Some opt to spend winter in city, summer on Some opt to spend winter in city, summer on reserve, but lead disjointed lifestylesreserve, but lead disjointed lifestyles

Aboriginal WomenAboriginal Women Cultures of past had matrilineal descentCultures of past had matrilineal descent Women more powerWomen more power Change when “whites” came – imposed European Change when “whites” came – imposed European

patriarchal structure and cultural changepatriarchal structure and cultural change Then 1985 Indian Act stripped status from women Then 1985 Indian Act stripped status from women

who married non-aboriginals (since repealed)who married non-aboriginals (since repealed) Studies show “aboriginal women rank among the Studies show “aboriginal women rank among the

most severely disadvantaged” in Canadamost severely disadvantaged” in Canada Suffer from violence, abuse, inadequate housing and Suffer from violence, abuse, inadequate housing and

living conditions, alcohol and drug abuseliving conditions, alcohol and drug abuse

Aboriginal Youth ProblemsAboriginal Youth Problems Trapped between two culturesTrapped between two cultures Problem of “anomie” (Durkheim)Problem of “anomie” (Durkheim) Lack positive role models and often suffer Lack positive role models and often suffer

abuseabuse Results: Results:

Substance and solvent abuseSubstance and solvent abuse High suicide rates (as high as 470/100000 High suicide rates (as high as 470/100000

compared to 14/100000 in general population)compared to 14/100000 in general population) Prostitution, petty crimeProstitution, petty crime High youth incarceration ratesHigh youth incarceration rates

Attempts to find solutions…Attempts to find solutions… Canada only country in world to have Canada only country in world to have

aboriginal rights entrenched in constitutionaboriginal rights entrenched in constitution Has been some progress in increasing power Has been some progress in increasing power

and economic resources, access to higher and economic resources, access to higher education and more Native Studies programseducation and more Native Studies programs

But reality does not live up to ideals But reality does not live up to ideals Debate: is assimilation or self-governing Debate: is assimilation or self-governing

autonomy better?autonomy better?

A New Social ContractA New Social Contract One proposal is self governance for Native One proposal is self governance for Native

peoples (i.e. see Cairns, 2000, 2003; Christie, peoples (i.e. see Cairns, 2000, 2003; Christie, 2002; Fleras, 2005)2002; Fleras, 2005)

In 1997 “Statement of Reconciliation,” In 1997 “Statement of Reconciliation,” Canadian government promised to “create new Canadian government promised to “create new partnership” with aboriginalspartnership” with aboriginals

Recognition of aboriginal identity and promise Recognition of aboriginal identity and promise to work toward full aboriginal participation in to work toward full aboriginal participation in Canadian societyCanadian society

But progress has been slowBut progress has been slow

Four ModelsFour Models

1. Statehood with complete political 1. Statehood with complete political independence, internally and externallyindependence, internally and externally

2. Nationhood, with retention of authority and 2. Nationhood, with retention of authority and jurisdiction over internal mattersjurisdiction over internal matters

3. Municipality, with control over delivery of 3. Municipality, with control over delivery of services by way of parallel institutionsservices by way of parallel institutions

4. Institutional, with meaningful decision-4. Institutional, with meaningful decision-making power in mainstream institutionsmaking power in mainstream institutions

1996 Royal Commission on 1996 Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples ProposalAboriginal Peoples Proposal

Studied community based governance vs. Studied community based governance vs. nation based governancenation based governance

Proposed to create self governed aboriginal Proposed to create self governed aboriginal nationsnations

But problem of organizing 1000’s of But problem of organizing 1000’s of communities into 60-70 historical nationscommunities into 60-70 historical nations

The Future?The Future?

Many Canadians alarmed by idea of self Many Canadians alarmed by idea of self governmentgovernment

Some aboriginal groups themselves feel not Some aboriginal groups themselves feel not yet readyyet ready

However, Canada already has long history of However, Canada already has long history of two nations (French and English) under one two nations (French and English) under one loosely structured federal government.loosely structured federal government.

Why not three?Why not three?

More Info….More Info….

Indian Affairs and Northern DevelopmentIndian Affairs and Northern Development www.ainc-ianc.gc.cawww.ainc-ianc.gc.ca

Assembly of First NationsAssembly of First Nations www.afn.cawww.afn.ca

Royal Commission on Aboriginal AffairsRoyal Commission on Aboriginal Affairs www.ainc-ianc.gc.ca/ch/rcapwww.ainc-ianc.gc.ca/ch/rcap