Introduction
Although in Canada, indigenous people and so-called settlers have coexisted for several centuries, there are groups of activists who promote the culture and traditions of the indigenous people. Furthermore, the supporters of these ideas talk about natives’ rights from a historical viewpoint not to let others forget that they had lived on the territory of modern Canada long before settlers (Miller, 2018). The relationships between British and French colonists and Inuits, Indians, and other natives of Canada were difficult and controversial; they are still important for understanding patterns of social conflicts. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the reasons for this relevance and analyze the perspectives of the historical crisis.
History of Settlers-Natives Relationships
The natives-settlers relationships in Canada have a long history and at different stages, fall under various patterns. The starting point in the history of these relations is the fur trade, originating in the XVI century. From that moment, the Indians and Inuits were included in the history of Western European capitalism and expansion. This interaction resulted in deep changes in their own culture, dynamics of group relations, population, economic life, social organization, and geographical settlement. The colonial period that began in the XVIII century and continued until the 1850-s was characterized by tangible changes in the attitude of Europeans towards the natives (Morton, 2017). Canadian peoples saw the ever-accelerating redistribution of the territories between them and Europeans with the latter receiving more lands.
Speaking about this issue in detail, it should be noted that in the process of forming modern Canada, many treaties were concluded to frame the partnership between the natives and Europeans. In 1867, the British authorities decided to unite the colonial territories as a state (Heaman, 2017). It marked a new period in the history of Canada and drastic changes in the life of Indians and Inuits. After the creation of the Canadian Confederation, under the new constitution, the responsibility for the problems of the indigenous people was assigned to the federal government. They continued the process of implementing European lifestyle and order in Canada, which is known as the policy of civilization and assimilation.
Acquisition of Land by Settlers
Furthermore, the federal government kept on concluding agreements with the native tribes that lived in western Ontario and on the prairies. In fact, from an economic point of view, the authorities benefited from acquiring those lands because colonists settled there more rapidly. In 50 years, the conclusion of 11 treaties took place; these documents were aimed at receiving and incorporating Indian lands by the British (Heaman, 2017). In return, the allocation of reserved land for the indigenous people, the provision of advantages in hunting and trapping, and cashed were promised. Other benefits included economic assistance and the organization of education.
Even though the conditions of the treaties seemed beneficial for both natives and settlers, it might be stated that there was a suppression of the indigenous tribes. It took place throughout the entire historical period, from the creation of the Confederation to the end of World War II. The federal government sought to completely subjugate the native tribes to the state. With the agreement of the provincial authorities, the government continued to drive Indians and Inuits off their lands and placed them in a reservation (Morton, 2017). According to the colonists’ plan, the indigenous people were to get used to the European lifestyle the true purpose of which was striving to turn them into manual workers. It should also be noted that sometimes, the authorities did not adhere to the obligations fixed in the treaties. Hence, the native tribes were strongly opposed to the colonists and the benefits of civilization.
Subsequently, to secure new lands, the authorities ceased to conclude agreements with the representatives of the native tribes. As a result, many territories (subarctic regions from Newfoundland, Labrador, and northern Quebec in the east to Northwest Territories, the Yukon and British Columbia in the west) were annexed. Hence, the British crown and subsequently the dominion tightened the policies towards the indigenous population of Canada. The tribes were gradually ruined; agreements concluded with the natives were aimed only at seizing territories; civil rights were granted only on paper.
Relevance of the Treaties
Speaking about modern Canada, the above treaties are still relevant for understanding patterns of the historical conflict because they reflect all the steps of the contradiction. Moreover, the agreements play an important role in the current and future relationships between the First Nations and the settlers. The treaties continue to be key elements for indigenous and non-indigenous people building a nation together. Nowadays, attempts are made to address the claims of the past. For example, independent treaty commissions together with the representatives of the indigenous people research and analyze agreements-related issues. The Specific Claims process is aimed at restoring the natives’ rights and repaying obligations.
Conflict Perspectives
Analyzing the crisis from a point of view of conservative and conflict perspectives, it might be stated that the major theories explain the contradiction by a capitalist approach used by Europeans. Capitalism causes certain tensions for it knows only economic interests and in many cases, does not count on moral issues. In my opinion, the conflict between the natives and the settlers might be understood best of all through postcolonialism. This perspective explores the legacy of imperialism and colonialism (McLeod, 2020). The approach focuses on the exploitation and control of natives and their lands.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is significant to press the point that in Canada, Europeans wanted to incorporate the territories owned by indigenous tribes and use the people as workers without the recognition of their rights. The historical process caused many cases of abuse to the natives. Hence, the relationships between them and the settlers have been controversial and complex; however, nowadays, attempts are made to restore justice.
References
Heaman, E. A. (2017). Tax, order, and good government: A new political history of Canada, 1867-1917. McGill-Queen’s Press-MQUP.
McLeod, J. (2020). Beginning postcolonialism. Manchester University Press.
Miller, J. R. (2018). Skyscrapers hide the heavens: A history of native-newcomer relations in Canada. University of Toronto Press.
Morton, D. (2017). A short history of Canada. McClelland & Stewart.