Introduction
Canada has experienced various events relating to its indigenous peoples throughout its history. As in the United States, Canada’s history is replete with instances where the rights and freedoms of the country’s indigenous settlements have been diminished or ignored. The essay will consider the example of the Wet’suwet’en and CGL conflict, which occurred in 2020. By studying this situation, it is possible to demonstrate trends in the process of colonization in Canada. Although many people believe that colonization is a historical process, it can take a significantly long time and handle various forms of conflict.
Colonialism
Before colonizing Canada’s indigenous settlements, it was essential to consider the notion of colonialism itself and its features. According to Fanon (2022), “in the initial phase, it is the action, the plans of the occupier that determine the centers of resistance around which a people’s will to survive becomes organized” (p. 47). The process of colonization can have two sides. The first is when colonization is territorial and occurs in a specific time period (Fanon, 2022). Examples include the beginning of the colonization of indigenous lands in the United States of America, particularly Texas, in 1848, following the Mexican War, which led to the Civil War (Goldberg, 2017). This colonization had a beginning and an end and aimed at developing new territories. However, the second type implies the gradual, long-term subordination of indigenous peoples and territories to the national government. It is now the case in Canada for some indigenous settlements.
Wet’suwet’en and Coastal GasLink Conflict
As an example of such continuous colonization, which is not a historical event but is a part of everyday life for Indigenous people, one can consider the conflict between Wet’suwet’en and Coastal GasLink. This company decided to run a gas pipe through the land of Canada’s native settlers, Wet’suwet’en. These people are First Nation in what is currently called British Columbia, Canada (Morse & Woodman, 2019). The remarkable element of this event is the fact that Canadian officials have ignored not only the laws of the people of Wet’suwet’en but also Canada’s laws. As Kishchuk (2021) states, “By 2019, Coastal Gaslink had received all necessary approvals to proceed with construction and had an agreement with five First Nations.” (p. 148). However, the violation of the laws consisted in laying this gas pipeline without the consent of the indigenous settlements. As a result, Wet’suwet was forced to defend its lands and claim its rights.
The example of the conflict between Wet’suwet’en and Coastal GasLink is indicative of the ongoing colonization of indigenous settlements in Canada. This situation has clear signs of colonialism because certain rights violations are carried out in many ways (Morse & Woodman, 2019). Companies that pursue their personal interests for enrichment seek to benefit from the territories, ignoring their value and the rights of their inhabitants.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to stress that the lack of awareness of the concept of colonization leads to people’s indifference to the injustices that occur. Indigenous people of Canada experience restrictions on their rights every day. Companies that pursue personal interests ignore the rights of others. They often receive government approval for their actions, as officials also assess the situation for their benefit. This issue should be given much more attention than it is now. People must understand the fact that colonization is not a momentary historical process but lasts to this day.
References
Fanon, F. (2022). A dying colonialism. Grove/Atlantic, Inc.
Goldberg, M. A. (2017). Conquering sickness: Race, health, and colonization in the Texas borderlands. U of Nebraska Press.
Kishchuk, B. W. (2021). Canadian colonialism: Past and present. FriesenPress.
Morse, B. W., & Woodman, G. R. (2019). Indigenous law and the state. Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG.