Introduction
The free housing myth has been an ongoing lie in Canada since immemorial. The fact that the falsehood has polarized Canada has become a major concern. Therefore, I thought of this chapter because there has been a popular belief that the Aboriginal group in Canada has been receiving free houses. This is contrary to reality since it is evident that most houses in Canada are either issued through market-based housing or non-profit social housing, both of which are not free. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) provides social housing services to indigenous individuals (Vowel, 2017). CMHC offers numerous initiatives to assist all Canadians in meeting their housing requirements.
Discussion
I picked this chapter because it is fundamental in debunking the myth that other groups in Canada, such as the indigenous, are fairly treated as compared to the rest. Moreover, I felt it was necessary to unravel the generalization that “aboriginal meant free houses”(Vowel, 2017). This demeaning and derogative idea can create discord among people living harmoniously. Therefore, this chapter is vital to despise and rebuke such notions and unveil reality.
I have heard this myth before, specifically from my friend who is non-aboriginal. The issues bred discord between us, and this is because he claimed that we are more privileged by owning a free house by simply being Canadian natives. It was so ironic since the home we currently live in with my parents was secured from a loan. Henceforth, I resorted to researching more about the theory of “free houses for indigenous.”
The myth has negatively affected the indigenous; for instance, it has created a division between two groups. Particularly, in the chapter, it is evident that one individual feels the Aboriginal people are more advantaged regarding the entitlement to free houses compared to the rest of the Canadians. Therefore, the person sounds bitter and distasteful. It is apparent that the notion of free homes for Aboriginal people has created more damage than good.
Undesirably, the myth has created segregation of people in Canada. This is because the notion has created ill feelings between the natives and non-natives. There is virtually always some level of resistance regarding the assumed provision of free housing. Such opposition to the idea of free housing projects is usually rooted in stereotypes towards the individuals who are perceived to live in them. Thus, it infringes on the individuals’ liberties to be without discrimination in housing.
The myth has adversely affected the relationships among Canadian people. Specifically, when affordable housing is explored, resistance has always emerged in Canada (Vowel, 2017). Furthermore, opposition based on discrimination against affordable housing for groups occurs when individuals have unfavorable views or prejudices about those who are thought to reside in free homes. Henceforth, this type of resistance may be cloaked in different developments centered on overstated worries.
Conclusion
The writer was attempting to demystify the myth that there are more advantaged people who live in free houses in Canada. The author detailed that the closest one can obtain a free house is by securing a non-profit social housing system. In this way, CMHC is responsible for providing all residents of Canada with various housing-related programs and services (Vowel, 2017). Hence, the myth of free housing for Aboriginal people in Canada is a hoax.
Reference
Vowel C. (2017). The myth of free housing. In C. Vowel (Ed.), Indigenous Write: A Guide to First Nations Métis & Inuit Issues in Canada (3rd ed.) pp 1-7. HighWater Press. Web.