Canada is one of the wealthy Western states characterized by the developed social institutions, attention to equality and democratic issues, and a focus on improving the quality of its citizens’ lives. However, regardless of these factors, the state still has multiple social issues impacting the lives of various groups and their well-being. For instance, Frist Peoples still face numerous challenges related relevant to their communities. It is a deep-routed problem linked to the unique history of Canada and the interaction of colonists with aboriginal people. Applying the critical theory, today, Indigenous issues can be viewed as a result of the ineffective work of societal structures, cultural assumptions, and ineffective policies.
The scope of the problem is evidenced by the fact that First Peoples are a significant part of the Canadian population. In 2016, 1,673,765 people determined themselves as Indigenous ones, which is 4.9 percent of the state’s population (Vowel, 2016). Although this population group continues to grow, little attention is devoted to social issues associated with it. For instance, the employment rate of Indigenous people is lower than among other groups (Vowel, 2016). Moreover, their income levels are below average, meaning that even if they have work, they are limited in opportunities to earn for their living (Vowel, 2016). Finally, there are also problems with health and education spheres as First Peoples experience problematic access to these institutions (Fontaine, 2017). These factors evidence the topicality and sophistication of Indigenous issues in Canada.
The problem can be analyzed by applying the basic concepts of critical theory. It is an approach presupposing critique of society and current culture to reveal existing problems and their roots (Little, 2013). One of the framework’s central ideas is that social issues result from societal structures and existing cultural assumptions and become a systemic problem. Utilizing this approach, Indigenous issues in Canada can be viewed can be analyzed regarding ineffective policies, problematic interaction between various communities, and stereotypes existing among other population groups.
The roots of the problem can be traced back to the first contact between Europeans and local people. When the first colonists arrived in Canada, they relied on Aboriginal tribes to acquire fur trading skills and survive (Vowel, 2016). However, with the establishment of the centralized rule, the attitude altered, and multiple attempts for forced assimilation were made (Fontaine, 2017). The government encouraged subjugation of Indigenous people through discriminative policies, such as attempts to make Aboriginal groups sedentary and the creation of specific schools educating their people (Fontaine, 2017). It resulted in the growing gap between population groups and misunderstandings linked to stereotypes and biased thinking (Vowel, 2016). The results of the first failed attempts can be seen today.
Following the critical theory, the current state of Indigenous communities results from ineffective policies. Representatives of Aboriginal people admit continued racial discrimination or institutional racism practiced by the government regarding these vulnerable groups (Exner-Pirot, 2018). Stereotypes of the past combined with subjective attitudes result in a specific vision of this group. In its turn, this leads to the cultivation of inequality and the formation of the wrong image among non-Indigenous populations of Canada (Fontaine, 2017). For instance, one of the common beliefs states that people on reserve acquire continuously rising amounts of resources, and the existence of multiple social issues cannot be explained (Vowel, 2016). In such a way, population groups in the state have different assumptions regarding the real situation, which results in its sophistication.
One of the examples of inequality and the growing scope of Indigenous issues is the health of Aboriginal people and their access to education. The recent report shows that suicide rates among First Nations youth are five times higher compared to other groups; tuberculosis rates are also much higher compared to Canadian-born and non-Aboriginal citizens (Exner-Pirot, 2018). The Constitution states that healthcare is the basic right of all Canadians, and they cannot be deprived of it. However, Indigenous people do not have equal access to care and services vital for them, which results in various diseases’ growing rates (Vowel, 2016). It indicates the systemic problem involving the government. Through the lens of critical theory, the existence of such disparities means the inability or unwillingness of society to organize the appropriate work of fundamental institutions and provide needed benefits to all groups (Little, 2013). It cultivates new problems and deteriorates the existing ones.
As stated previously, education is another indicator that Indigenous people face multiple social problems. The government tries to solve the problem using traditional methods, such as spending money to support education among Aboriginal people (Exner-Pirot, 2018). However, regarding the systemic concern and stereotypic attitudes, it will not help to resolve the issue. At the moment, radical measures, such as the establishment of new infrastructure, creation of schools, provision of resources for teachers, are required (Exner-Pirot, 2018). Furthermore, it is fundamental to create a culturally relevant curriculum focusing on the peculiarities of Aboriginal people, their needs, and their representations (Vowel, 2016). Unfortunately, the existing gap between Indigenous and non-Aboriginal students shows the absence of such attempts and disregard of the needs of a big population group. As a result, numerous young people and potential workers become excluded from the development of the state, which creates the basis for the emergence of new problems, such as unemployment and poor living conditions.
Finally, the Indigenous issues can be analyzed through the prism of social justice. The existence of all problems mentioned above shows that the wealth and benefits are distributed not equally within the state, and some groups enjoy better access to healthcare, education, and prestigious jobs. Furthermore, Aboriginal people might suffer from decreased attention to violent acts or crimes involving this group. For instance, the increased number of murdered or missing Indigenous women does not lead to debates about ways to resolve the problem (Vowel, 2016). To a greater degree, this situation is linked to the cultural assumptions and views of the First People as insignificant of guilty ones (Little, 2013). This belief leads to the deterioration of the situation, growth of inequality, and aggravation of relations between social groups.
Altogether, Canada is a state focusing on the cultivation of humanistic values, tolerance, and democracy. However, Indigenous people still face multiple social barriers deteriorating the quality of their lives. From the critical theory, it can be viewed as a result of ineffective governmental policies, lack of understanding, and essential differences in cultural assumptions. The problem has a long history and demands much time and significant resources for its effective resolution. However, the most important requirement is the need to understand the current needs of Aboriginal people and eliminate social injustice, inequality, and prejudiced attitude leading to the sophistication of the problem and the growing gap between various population groups.
References
Exner-Pirot, H. (2018) Friend or faux? Trudeau, Indigenous issues and Canada’s brand. Canadian Foreign Policy Journal, 24(2), 165-181. doi:10.1080/11926422.2018.1461667
Fontaine, L. (2017). Redress for linguicide: Residential schools and assimilation in Canada. British Journal of Canadian Studies, 30(2), 183-204. doi:10.3828/bjcs.2017.11
Little, W. (2013). Introduction to sociology – 1st Canadian edition. Victoria, BC, Canada: BCcampus.
Vowel, C. (2016). Indigenous writes: A guide to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit issues in Canada. Winnipeg, MB, Canada: HighWater Press.