So where does the truth lie in all this? Are Aboriginal people shown favouritism? Are they as privileged as is claimed and do they have more rights than the majority of citizens? Do they get monthly cheques in the form of “Indian benefits
In Dealing With Different Rights, we mentioned that, far from constituting a regime of privileges, the Indian
Thus, a person might say that they’re from the Naskapi First Nation of Kawawachikamach, or the Atikamekw First Nation of Manawan, or the Mohawk First Nation of Akwesasne, etc., identifying both the nation to which they belong and their place of origin or residence.
Within the context of the Indian Act, the concept of guardianship takes on a unique meaning as it applies not only to individuals but also to entire communities. The lawyer Renée Dupuis, author of a book on First Nations issues in Canada, summarizes this guardianship regime well: “Revised in 1951, the federal Act clearly constitutes a regime of guardianship of Indians (both individually and collectively) and of the lands reserved for them. Actually, the Indians have a status equivalent to that of a minor child, since they are subject to the control of the government, which has the authority to make decisions on their behalf. All aspects of the lives of individuals and communities are supervised, from an Indian’s birth to his death, from the creation of a band to the cessation of a reserve.”
Note that several First Nations in Canada, including the Cree and Naskapi nations in Québec, are no longer subject to the Indian Act.
However, the belief that Aboriginal people have special privileges is so widespread that it is not surprising to learn that most people think Aboriginal people live as well as, or even better than, other Quebecers. Without realizing it, we have taken the idea of “privilege” and turned it into “privileged.” However, daily life in the majority of Aboriginal communities is the complete opposite.
Photo credit: Canadian Press
A Non-Existent Real Estate Market on First Nations Reserves
You will never see a sign like this in a First Nations
