The History of Indigenous People in Canada Essay

Introduction

Indigenous peoples have contributed to the development of Canada throughout its history. Rich and varied contacts between various peoples, thriving trade, and the provision of resources are just a few examples of the Indigenous peoples’ contributions to Canada that date long before the advent of European immigrants.¹

Discussion

Despite experiencing cultural genocide after the confederation, Canada’s indigenous people made significant achievements. Indigenous people in Canada contributed in various ways, one of which was the discovery of practical tools for establishing band offices, small enterprises, and social initiatives. The indigenous people achieved this by identifying how First Nations people took advantage of assimilationist policies in Canada and employed a different technique to create a thriving hybrid entrepreneurial culture based on band ownership principles. As a result, several bands benefited significantly from their reserve areas’ oil resources due to the indigenous peoples’ efforts.

The advancement of medicine was another contribution made by the indigenous people to Canada. They devised creative mixtures of wild plants to relieve coughs brought on by colds. Many cough medicines offered in Canada today are made with the same compounds.² To create efficient cough remedies, teas made from medicinal plants were combined with the balsam of pine trees, maple syrup, or honey. Additionally, when thousands of them voluntarily joined the Canadian military, the Indigenous people made a significant contribution. They served in all of the major regions of the conflict and actively participated in the numerous engagements in which Canadian soldiers participated. On foreign battlefields, hundreds were hurt or killed. Indigenous soldiers gave heroic devotion; many of them stood out as skilled and knowledgeable soldiers and received awards for bravery and heroism. Despite the prejudice and brutality they endured, Aboriginal women in Canada also contributed to the reconciliation process. Today, a day has been designated to honor and celebrate the cultures and contributions of Canada’s First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Indigenous people.

The statement implies that both indigenous and non-indigenous people are accountable for Canada. Despite the difficulties some people have faced, they have to look after the country and support it because, whether it succeeds or fails, its people will be the ones who will be most impacted. Reconciliation can assist achieve this by putting the nation on a daring new course and radically altering Canada’s relationship with its citizens. ³“We are all treaty people” emphasizes that all people have treaty rights and responsibilities and helps convey a sense of equally shared benefits between Indigenous Peoples and settlers. This statement generally supports the reconciliation of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples to change Canadian society and enable them to coexist in dignity, peace, and prosperity on their territories.

Conclusion

In my view, this statement bridges the barrier between Canadian natives and settlers. It represents a brand-new perspective on the past, present, and future interactions between indigenous people and settlers. The statement also demonstrates that, despite their respective histories, the relationships between these components of the country are essential to Canada’s prosperity. Reconciliation is solely the duty of all citizens, and doing so will help safeguard Canada’s success and ability to influence the world. Despite all that has transpired in the past, Canada is a country that belongs to everyone who is regarded as a citizen. As such, all Canadians have a responsibility to maintain its ongoing prosperity.

References

Conrad, Margaret. “A Concise History of Canada” 2 (2022): 1–520. Web.

“Honoring the Truth Reconciling for the Future.” Summary of Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, 2016, 1–22.

Kingston, Lindsey. “The Destruction of Identity: Cultural Genocide and Indigenous Peoples.” Journal of Human Rights 14, no. 1 (2015): 63–83. Web.

Footnotes

1. Lindsey Kingston, “The Destruction of Identity: Cultural Genocide and Indigenous Peoples,” Journal of Human Rights 14, no. 1 (2015): pp. 63-83, Web.
2. Margaret Conrad, “A Concise History of Canada” 2 (2022): pp. 1-520, Web.
3. “Honoring the Truth Reconciling for the Future,” Summary of Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, 2016, pp. 1-22, 12.