This paper presents the historical development and context of the status and treatment of indigenous peoples in Canada from the colonial period to the present and examines the official Canadian government policy of reconciliation which is designed to compensate indigenous peoples for past injustices and to assist them in securing a prosperous and successful future in modern society. The Canadian policy of reconciliation is compared and contrasted with similar official government policies and approaches in other countries. In Canada, the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis represent the three main groups of indigenous peoples which can be further subdivided into dozens of major tribes, cultures, and language groups. Indigenous peoples have been subjected to widespread discrimination and racism in Canadian society since the colonial period and continue to face many significant barriers and challenges in modern society as a result of generations of overt and covert discrimination. Due to centuries of discrimination, indigenous peoples in Canada are more likely to live in poverty, to suffer from substance abuse, to be homeless, and to have low levels of education in comparison with other Canadians. Indigenous children are overrepresented in the foster care system, and indigenous adults are overrepresented in the prison system. Many indigenous communities continue to suffer from a generational trauma resulting from general forms of discrimination and systematic, institutionalized forms of discrimination in the past. Predictions are made regarding the future of official reconciliation with indigenous peoples in Canada based on historical and current data and emerging trends.

Authors:
Nathaniel Edwards, Yamaguchi University, Japan

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Nathaniel Edwards is a University Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer at Yamaguchi National University in Japan

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