Essay On Indian Act

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The Canadian Government’s apology is not enough to mend the past because many people thought that it was symbolic and that it would not change the relationship between the Aboriginals and the government. The apologies that were made by the government and the churches are important steps in the healing process but many Aboriginal leaders said that such gestures are not enough without supportive action. In 2006, The government of Canada signed the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) and began its work on June 2008, this was seen as the first step towards reconciliation between the Canadian people and First Nations. Also in 2008, Prime minister Stephen Harper apologized to the Aboriginal people and admitted that the residential schools were part of the Canadian policy and was …show more content…

There were constant emotional and psychological abuse as some survivors recall being strapped and beaten, others were shackled to their beds and some had needles shoved in their tongues for speaking their native language. The Indian Act developed over time through separate pieces of colonial legislations. The Act put an end for the First Nations to govern themselves and gave the government of Canada to legislate the matters concerning Aboriginal people and their land. The legislation against Aboriginal people did not stop them from practicing their traditions but made them find new ways to continue practicing them without facing persecution. Under the Indian Act, the government would also manage Indian lands, money, resources and also promote “civilization”. Its responsibility was to care and protect the interests of the First nations and they would act as a guardian until the First Nations could fully integrate into the Canadian society. Most of the First Nation people did not have the right to vote. In 1880, only Aboriginal people with a university degree would be allowed to

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