Tony Ruan
Tobias Kenny
NBE301
June 10, 2023
The Canadian Government's Injustice through the legal system against Indigenous communities In the ongoing struggle for justice and equality, the broken promises and discriminatory actions of the Canadian government against Indigenous peoples reveal a dark truth - a pattern of betrayal that perpetuates systemic injustice and displaces FNMI (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Initiatives) communities from their rightful place in society. The Canadian government has consistently demonstrated a pattern of signing legal contracts with Aboriginal peoples, only to undermine the agreements later, disregard their terms, or impose restrictive measures. These restrictive measures are evident in various instances,
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The Indian Act has eroded Indigenous cultures, exerted control, and imposed restrictions upon them. The Canadian government compelled Indigenous people to sign the agreement, despite their incomplete understanding of its implications. The Indian Act has changed over the centuries. The initial modification in 1880 aimed to assimilate Indigenous people into Euro-Canadian culture, and further amendments were made to prohibit traditional ceremonies like the potlatch. This addition faced strong opposition from Indigenous communities, who continued to practice the ritual despite the ban. It took the Canadian government a century to lift the prohibition on cultural practices. The Indian Act also played a significant role in the detrimental aftereffects of the Residential Schools. Due to the provision within the Indian Act, Indigenous students of a certain age must attend Residential Schools. This legal mandate facilitated the government's separation of Indigenous children from their families. Removing them against their will caused significant consequences; they were placed in unfamiliar environments, severing family bonds and disconnecting them from their identities' cultural and spiritual …show more content…
A prominent example is seen in the Royal Proclamation of 1763, which was meant to recognize Indigenous rights and protect their lands. Despite these intentions, however, shortcomings exist on behalf of the government regarding how it has fulfilled treaty obligations such as these over time. Although the proclamation acknowledged Indigenous territories and mandated negotiations for land cessions, many settlers persisted in seizing Indigenous lands without consent or agreements. Due to inadequate enforcement by the government, these encroachments flourished and often resulted in egregious violations against Indigenous rights and properties. The authority's neglect of the Royal Proclamation has been an underlying factor contributing to widespread legal injustices suffered by Indigenous peoples. The disregard shown towards treaties and agreements formed under the proclamation's guidance has created conflicts between different parties, resulting in continuous legal disputes surrounding Indigenous land rights and