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Chapter 8

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The document summarizes the roots of Quebec nationalism from the 1930s to present day. It discusses key figures and events that shaped Quebec's pursuit of autonomy and sovereignty, including Maurice Duplessis' promotion of Quebec as a distinct society, the Quiet Revolution's modernization of Quebec, René Lévesque forming the Parti Québécois and advocating for independence, and the two sovereignty referendums in 1980 and 1995 that were rejected. It also outlines the impacts that Quebec's potential separation could have on both Quebec and the rest of Canada.

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Chapter 8: The Canadian Identity
The Roots of Quebec Nationalism ? Maurice Duplessis 1936-1939 and 1944-1959 (Union Nationale) – Quebec is distinct society or “nation” – Padlock Law – Avoid English influence at all costs – Refused money from federal govt – “la grande noirceur” = the Great Darkness ? Bad working conditions ? Unions discouraged and strong armed tactics against them
? Jean Lesage (Liberal) 1960-1966 – “Maitre chez nous” = masters of our own house – Not independence, but more control over decisions affecting its future – New and equal partnership with English-Canada ? Quiet Revolution (la revolution tranquille) – Rapid reform and modernization – Secularization, invest in public education, strengthen the welfare state, unionize civil service, control of economy, nationalization of hydroelectricity – Lesage wanted “special status” for Quebec to protect French language and culture – Federal govt allows Quebec to run its own pension plan and medical insurance – French-Canadians become “Quebecois”
? Expo 67 – Montreal – French president Charles DeGaulle – “Vive le Quebec Libre” – Encourages French nationalism – Enrages English-Canadians ? Daniel Johnson (Union Nationale) 1966 – Quebec must get absolute equality with rest of Canada – If not separatists will win (Levesque and Parti Quebecois)
? Rene Levesque, Liberal cabinet minister in Quebec leaves party to form Parti Quebecois (PQ) in 1967 ? Front de Liberation du Quebec – Terrorist organization – Marxist objectives and separatists – Members trained by revolutionaries who were supporters of the Cuban revolutionary – Also receive guerrilla training in selective assassination from Palestinian commandos in Jordan – 1963-1970 over 200 political actions ie. bombings of mail boxes, public monuments, English owned businesses, banks, McGill University and homes of prominent English-Canadians
? 1964 new flag (Pearson Pennant) ? Quebec uses fleur-de-lis ? Ottawa appoints Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism (Bi and Bi Commission) – Recommendations include making Canada bilingual ? Official Languages Act (1969) – Canadians have legal right and ability to deal with federal govt in either French or English – All products sold in Canada must be in both languages – French immersion programs across Canada
October Crisis (1970) ? Trudeau PM in 1968 is a federalist and rejects special status for Quebec ? The October Crisis/FLQ Crisis (1970) – Oct 5 ? James Cross (British Trade Commissioner) kidnapped by Liberation cell ? Want ransom of $500 000, transport to Cuba, want FLQ Manifesto read to public and release of FLQ “political prisoners” ? Bourassa agrees to reading of Manifesto on radio and transport to Cuba only – Oct 10 ? Pierre Laporte (Quebec labour minister and depute premier) kidnapped by Chenier cell
– Oct 16 ? Bourassa asks Trudeau for help (federal troops), additional search and arrest powers for police ? Trudeau sees an “apprehended insurrection” ie. revolution ? War Measures Act invoked – Oct 17 ? Laporte’s dead body found – By December discovered Cross still alive ? Govt negotiated release in return for safe passage to Cuba – January ? Kidnappers of Laporte found, tried, convicted, sentenced (light sentences of FLQ members) ? Affects on Canada? Quebec?
? War Measures Act – Gave govt power to take away certain civil rights – Thousands of searches and over 400 arrests – Membership is FLQ became criminal and political rallies banned – Govt can arrest, questions, detain suspects without charge for up to 90 days ? Trudeau – justified because widespread conspiracy to overthrow govt – Trudeau questioned by reporter how far he would go: “Just watch me” “There’s a lot of bleeding hearts around – go on and bleed.”
? Bill 22 (1974) – Under Liberals R. Bourassa – Fr is official language of Quebec – Children had to pass English proficiency test to be allowed to register at English schools – Fear that French language will disappear with declining birthrate and increasing immigration
? Levesque, PQ elected in 1976 ? Bill 101 (1977) replaced Bill 22 – Charter of French Language bill – Fr is language used by govt, courts and business in Quebec – Commercial signs are to be displayed in Fr only – Restricted access to English schools – at least one parent had to have attended an English school in Quebec – English businesses left Quebec
? 1980 Referendum on sovereignty- association – 90% voter turn out – 60% NO ? Constitution Act 1982 – November 4, 1981 Kitchen Compromise ? 9 provinces reached an agreement, Quebec (Levesque) felt betrayed and did not sign constitution – New amending formula and Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Meech Lake, 1987 ? PM Mulroney met with all 10 premiers (Bourassa is premier of QC) to change constitution to include Quebec ? Reached tentative agreement, but need unanimous consent from Ottawa and the provinces – Quebec is “distinct society” – 3 of 9 Supreme Court were to come from QC – Amendments to new constitution would require agreement from all provinces – Provinces could choose to opt out of federal funding – QC able to control its own immigration
? Concerns over Quebec referred to as “distinct society” ? Aboriginal peoples felt Quebec should not have special consideration because no consideration for them or for women ? Enfold, NB, MB didn’t ratify ? 1990 Lucien Bouchard resigned in protest from Mulroney’s Cabinet and formed Bloc Quebecois
Charlottetown Accord, 1992 ? Made provisions for Aboriginal self-govt, Senate reform, universal health care, workers’ rights, and environmental protection – Negotiations were called the Canada Round ? Canada Clause – “distinct society” for QC, outlined values and characteristics that define all Cdns, including a commitment to equality of men and women ? Goes to referendum, only 4 of 10 provinces approved – Provisions too large and daunting – Aboriginal peoples and women opposed the accord as well as the Reform party
? 1993 Bloc Quebecois become official opposition led by Lucien Bouchard ? 1995 Referendum – Rejection of Charlottetown left Fr-Cdns feeling like Canada was indifferent to QC – 1995 premier Jacque Parizeau (PQ) held another referendum – 50.6% NO – PQ Parizeau resigns…Bouchard switches to provincial politics and wants to call another sovereignty referendum but “under winning conditions”
? Calgary Declaration, 1997 – Gesture of goodwill = Cdns govt declared QC to be a “unique society” – BQ leader Bouchard did not attend ? Supreme Court decision, 1998 – Ruled QC did not have right to separate unilaterally from Canada – To achieve independence QC has to negotiate with federal govt and other provinces, the Aboriginal nations living in QC and other minorities living there – Negotiations could begin after a referendum where a “clear majority” voted “yes” to a “clear question”
? Clarity Act, 1999 – States that in any future referenda, QC must ask a clear questions, win a clear majority – Makes it next to impossible for QC to gain independence from Canada through a referendum
Potential impact of separation for Quebec ? Forced to negotiate international trade deals such as NAFTA ? QC no longer receive federal grants or assistance ? Anglophone population and big business may move to other provinces ? Foreign and domestic investment might drop ? Economic or social problems such as unemployment or poverty might worsen ? QC may be asked to repay its portion of Canada’s national debt ? QC may lost land to Aboriginal groups ? QC would be forced to re-negotiate its status in North American Trade Agreement ? QC may not receive ownership of federal property owned by Ottawa
Potential impact of separation for Canada ? Canada would lose 15.5% of its land area ? Canada would lose up to 25% of its population ? Canada may lose up to 23% of its GNP ? Canada would lose 15% of its fresh water and 14% of its mineral production capability ? Atlantic Canada would be physically severed and isolated from the rest of Canada ? Canadian defence would become more difficult ? QC’s separation may cause other provinces to consider separating from Confederation ? Francophones in other provinces would be left without one of their most powerful allies
Aboriginal peoples in Canada ? Status Indian: have legal rights under Indian Act, have rights under treaties or where no treaties have been signed, rights as Registered Indians ? Non-status Indian: have given up their legal status as Indians while still keeping their cultural identity ? First Nation: used in 1990s in place of “Indian band” or “Indian nation”
? Royal Proclamation, 1763 – Prevented further settlement across North America until treaties had been negotiated – Recognized that Aboriginal peoples lived as nations on their own lands ? Between 1864 and 1867 – Assimilation of Aboriginal nations into Canadian mainstream
? The Reserve System, 1830 – Aboriginal peoples were seen as blocking settlement of BNA – Pushed onto reservation managed by agents of govt – 0.4% of Cdn land is set-aside for Indian reserves – Limiting of Aboriginals from fully participating in economy and generating wealth ie. Leverage land for loans and wealth creation – Land is federal govt’s – Living conditions are lower than rest of Canada – Life expectancy is lower, suicide rates are over 8 times higher
Indian Act, 1876 ? Encourage Aboriginal peoples to give up their own culture and traditions – assimilation into mainstream ? Benefits – Schools, medical care, hunting and fishing rights, annual treaty payments provided – Exempt from paying income and sales tax – “special status” to Aboriginals
? Disadvantages – Colonial mind set – treats Aboriginals as children and wards of state – Denied right to take up land as others – Denied right to vote in provincial elections – Viewed as incompatible with being a Canadian citizen – If they want vote?must give up “Indian status” – Lose status is move off reserves, join military, obtain higher education, or marry a non-Indian
? Residential Schools – Federal govt assumed responsibility for education of Aboriginal children – Taken from their homes and forced to abandon their own language and culture – Administered by Protestant and Catholic missionaries ? By 1930 only 3% of native students go beyond grade 6 ? By 1950 only 1/3 go beyond grade 3 ? Not until 1951 that Aboriginal children were allowed to attend public school system – 1990s United Church and Catholic orders accept responsibility for abuse and harmful practices – Some awarded compensation…lawsuits ongoing
? 1960: Aboriginal peoples given the right to vote in federal elections ? White Paper, 1969 – Proposed abolition of reserves and end to special status for treaty Indians – Equality was necessary for solution to the problems of Indians and special status has been the major cause of difficulties – Hostile response to White Paper
? National Indian Brotherhood formed to represent Status Indians and Native Council of Canada created to represent non-Status Indians and Metis ? They presented “Red Paper” – Demand self-govt and control over their own affairs ? Trudeau’s govt withdrew White Paper in 1971
Land Claims ? NIB renamed Assembly of First Nations to demand better conditions for Aboriginal peoples – Office of Native land Claims dealt with both specific land claims and comprehensive land claims ? Declaration of the First Nations – Adopted in 1975 which included the rights of nationhood and self-govt
? Oka Standoff, 1990 – Want to extend golf course on land that Mohawks claimed that belonged to them – Mohawks set up blockades of major roads – Police stormed barricade and one officer was killed – Army was called in?tense standoff – Solution: federal govt bought the disputed land and negotiated its transfer to Kanesatake First Nation
? Gustafsen Lake in BC – Aboriginal people re-occupied land they claimed was sacred ground ? Ipperwash in ON – Aboriginal people occupied land on former army base that was taken during WWII and never returned ? Meech Lake Accord – Did not recognize distinct status of Aboriginals
Self-government ? Aboriginals believe they have inherent right to self-govt – Self-govt would recognize right to make decisions about matters internal to their communities, integral to their unique cultures, traditions and languages and connected with their relationship to land and resources ? Constitution of 1982 guaranteed existing rights would be recognized and affirmed – Self-govt would be similar to provincial govt – Responsible for own policing, health care, education and equal access to institutions and benefits provided by fed govt
? Self-govt in MB – 1990s Aboriginal people took over responsibilities of the Dept of Indian Affairs and Northern Development in MB and assumed self-govt
? Nisga’a Treaty – 1998 in BC signed treaty with both provincial and federal govt – Nisga’a given wide powers of self-govt pertaining to issues of culture, language and family life – Nisga’a given ownership of 1,922 square km of land, including all resources, fishing and hunting rights and $190 million – No non-Aboriginal settlers were forced from the territory that the Nisga’a control – Non-Aboriginal settlers do not have the right to vote for the councils that govern the region
? Creation of Nunavut territory in 1999 – Aboriginal peoples were given the right to self-govt over natural resources, education and justice systems – No political parties – people run as individuals and elected members vote for the member who they want to lead the govt ? Statement of Reconciliation, 1998 – Cdn govt recognized that policies which sought to assimilate Aboriginals were not conducive to building a strong country
Today--inequality ? 500 000 face worse living conditions than rest of Cdns ? Average income is half of national average ? 50% of reserve families live below poverty line ? 66% are either unemployed or on welfare ? Less than 55% Aboriginal houses are served with sewer and water connections (national rate in 90%) ? Suicide 6 times national rate – exceeds rates for all other racial and ethnic groups in the world

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Chapter 8

  • 1. Chapter 8: The Canadian Identity
  • 2. The Roots of Quebec Nationalism ? Maurice Duplessis 1936-1939 and 1944-1959 (Union Nationale) – Quebec is distinct society or “nation” – Padlock Law – Avoid English influence at all costs – Refused money from federal govt – “la grande noirceur” = the Great Darkness ? Bad working conditions ? Unions discouraged and strong armed tactics against them
  • 3. ? Jean Lesage (Liberal) 1960-1966 – “Maitre chez nous” = masters of our own house – Not independence, but more control over decisions affecting its future – New and equal partnership with English-Canada ? Quiet Revolution (la revolution tranquille) – Rapid reform and modernization – Secularization, invest in public education, strengthen the welfare state, unionize civil service, control of economy, nationalization of hydroelectricity – Lesage wanted “special status” for Quebec to protect French language and culture – Federal govt allows Quebec to run its own pension plan and medical insurance – French-Canadians become “Quebecois”
  • 4. ? Expo 67 – Montreal – French president Charles DeGaulle – “Vive le Quebec Libre” – Encourages French nationalism – Enrages English-Canadians ? Daniel Johnson (Union Nationale) 1966 – Quebec must get absolute equality with rest of Canada – If not separatists will win (Levesque and Parti Quebecois)
  • 5. ? Rene Levesque, Liberal cabinet minister in Quebec leaves party to form Parti Quebecois (PQ) in 1967 ? Front de Liberation du Quebec – Terrorist organization – Marxist objectives and separatists – Members trained by revolutionaries who were supporters of the Cuban revolutionary – Also receive guerrilla training in selective assassination from Palestinian commandos in Jordan – 1963-1970 over 200 political actions ie. bombings of mail boxes, public monuments, English owned businesses, banks, McGill University and homes of prominent English-Canadians
  • 6. ? 1964 new flag (Pearson Pennant) ? Quebec uses fleur-de-lis ? Ottawa appoints Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism (Bi and Bi Commission) – Recommendations include making Canada bilingual ? Official Languages Act (1969) – Canadians have legal right and ability to deal with federal govt in either French or English – All products sold in Canada must be in both languages – French immersion programs across Canada
  • 7. October Crisis (1970) ? Trudeau PM in 1968 is a federalist and rejects special status for Quebec ? The October Crisis/FLQ Crisis (1970) – Oct 5 ? James Cross (British Trade Commissioner) kidnapped by Liberation cell ? Want ransom of $500 000, transport to Cuba, want FLQ Manifesto read to public and release of FLQ “political prisoners” ? Bourassa agrees to reading of Manifesto on radio and transport to Cuba only – Oct 10 ? Pierre Laporte (Quebec labour minister and depute premier) kidnapped by Chenier cell
  • 8. – Oct 16 ? Bourassa asks Trudeau for help (federal troops), additional search and arrest powers for police ? Trudeau sees an “apprehended insurrection” ie. revolution ? War Measures Act invoked – Oct 17 ? Laporte’s dead body found – By December discovered Cross still alive ? Govt negotiated release in return for safe passage to Cuba – January ? Kidnappers of Laporte found, tried, convicted, sentenced (light sentences of FLQ members) ? Affects on Canada? Quebec?
  • 9. ? War Measures Act – Gave govt power to take away certain civil rights – Thousands of searches and over 400 arrests – Membership is FLQ became criminal and political rallies banned – Govt can arrest, questions, detain suspects without charge for up to 90 days ? Trudeau – justified because widespread conspiracy to overthrow govt – Trudeau questioned by reporter how far he would go: “Just watch me” “There’s a lot of bleeding hearts around – go on and bleed.”
  • 10. ? Bill 22 (1974) – Under Liberals R. Bourassa – Fr is official language of Quebec – Children had to pass English proficiency test to be allowed to register at English schools – Fear that French language will disappear with declining birthrate and increasing immigration
  • 11. ? Levesque, PQ elected in 1976 ? Bill 101 (1977) replaced Bill 22 – Charter of French Language bill – Fr is language used by govt, courts and business in Quebec – Commercial signs are to be displayed in Fr only – Restricted access to English schools – at least one parent had to have attended an English school in Quebec – English businesses left Quebec
  • 12. ? 1980 Referendum on sovereignty- association – 90% voter turn out – 60% NO ? Constitution Act 1982 – November 4, 1981 Kitchen Compromise ? 9 provinces reached an agreement, Quebec (Levesque) felt betrayed and did not sign constitution – New amending formula and Charter of Rights and Freedoms
  • 13. Meech Lake, 1987 ? PM Mulroney met with all 10 premiers (Bourassa is premier of QC) to change constitution to include Quebec ? Reached tentative agreement, but need unanimous consent from Ottawa and the provinces – Quebec is “distinct society” – 3 of 9 Supreme Court were to come from QC – Amendments to new constitution would require agreement from all provinces – Provinces could choose to opt out of federal funding – QC able to control its own immigration
  • 14. ? Concerns over Quebec referred to as “distinct society” ? Aboriginal peoples felt Quebec should not have special consideration because no consideration for them or for women ? Enfold, NB, MB didn’t ratify ? 1990 Lucien Bouchard resigned in protest from Mulroney’s Cabinet and formed Bloc Quebecois
  • 15. Charlottetown Accord, 1992 ? Made provisions for Aboriginal self-govt, Senate reform, universal health care, workers’ rights, and environmental protection – Negotiations were called the Canada Round ? Canada Clause – “distinct society” for QC, outlined values and characteristics that define all Cdns, including a commitment to equality of men and women ? Goes to referendum, only 4 of 10 provinces approved – Provisions too large and daunting – Aboriginal peoples and women opposed the accord as well as the Reform party
  • 16. ? 1993 Bloc Quebecois become official opposition led by Lucien Bouchard ? 1995 Referendum – Rejection of Charlottetown left Fr-Cdns feeling like Canada was indifferent to QC – 1995 premier Jacque Parizeau (PQ) held another referendum – 50.6% NO – PQ Parizeau resigns…Bouchard switches to provincial politics and wants to call another sovereignty referendum but “under winning conditions”
  • 17. ? Calgary Declaration, 1997 – Gesture of goodwill = Cdns govt declared QC to be a “unique society” – BQ leader Bouchard did not attend ? Supreme Court decision, 1998 – Ruled QC did not have right to separate unilaterally from Canada – To achieve independence QC has to negotiate with federal govt and other provinces, the Aboriginal nations living in QC and other minorities living there – Negotiations could begin after a referendum where a “clear majority” voted “yes” to a “clear question”
  • 18. ? Clarity Act, 1999 – States that in any future referenda, QC must ask a clear questions, win a clear majority – Makes it next to impossible for QC to gain independence from Canada through a referendum
  • 19. Potential impact of separation for Quebec ? Forced to negotiate international trade deals such as NAFTA ? QC no longer receive federal grants or assistance ? Anglophone population and big business may move to other provinces ? Foreign and domestic investment might drop ? Economic or social problems such as unemployment or poverty might worsen ? QC may be asked to repay its portion of Canada’s national debt ? QC may lost land to Aboriginal groups ? QC would be forced to re-negotiate its status in North American Trade Agreement ? QC may not receive ownership of federal property owned by Ottawa
  • 20. Potential impact of separation for Canada ? Canada would lose 15.5% of its land area ? Canada would lose up to 25% of its population ? Canada may lose up to 23% of its GNP ? Canada would lose 15% of its fresh water and 14% of its mineral production capability ? Atlantic Canada would be physically severed and isolated from the rest of Canada ? Canadian defence would become more difficult ? QC’s separation may cause other provinces to consider separating from Confederation ? Francophones in other provinces would be left without one of their most powerful allies
  • 21. Aboriginal peoples in Canada ? Status Indian: have legal rights under Indian Act, have rights under treaties or where no treaties have been signed, rights as Registered Indians ? Non-status Indian: have given up their legal status as Indians while still keeping their cultural identity ? First Nation: used in 1990s in place of “Indian band” or “Indian nation”
  • 22. ? Royal Proclamation, 1763 – Prevented further settlement across North America until treaties had been negotiated – Recognized that Aboriginal peoples lived as nations on their own lands ? Between 1864 and 1867 – Assimilation of Aboriginal nations into Canadian mainstream
  • 23. ? The Reserve System, 1830 – Aboriginal peoples were seen as blocking settlement of BNA – Pushed onto reservation managed by agents of govt – 0.4% of Cdn land is set-aside for Indian reserves – Limiting of Aboriginals from fully participating in economy and generating wealth ie. Leverage land for loans and wealth creation – Land is federal govt’s – Living conditions are lower than rest of Canada – Life expectancy is lower, suicide rates are over 8 times higher
  • 24. Indian Act, 1876 ? Encourage Aboriginal peoples to give up their own culture and traditions – assimilation into mainstream ? Benefits – Schools, medical care, hunting and fishing rights, annual treaty payments provided – Exempt from paying income and sales tax – “special status” to Aboriginals
  • 25. ? Disadvantages – Colonial mind set – treats Aboriginals as children and wards of state – Denied right to take up land as others – Denied right to vote in provincial elections – Viewed as incompatible with being a Canadian citizen – If they want vote?must give up “Indian status” – Lose status is move off reserves, join military, obtain higher education, or marry a non-Indian
  • 26. ? Residential Schools – Federal govt assumed responsibility for education of Aboriginal children – Taken from their homes and forced to abandon their own language and culture – Administered by Protestant and Catholic missionaries ? By 1930 only 3% of native students go beyond grade 6 ? By 1950 only 1/3 go beyond grade 3 ? Not until 1951 that Aboriginal children were allowed to attend public school system – 1990s United Church and Catholic orders accept responsibility for abuse and harmful practices – Some awarded compensation…lawsuits ongoing
  • 27. ? 1960: Aboriginal peoples given the right to vote in federal elections ? White Paper, 1969 – Proposed abolition of reserves and end to special status for treaty Indians – Equality was necessary for solution to the problems of Indians and special status has been the major cause of difficulties – Hostile response to White Paper
  • 28. ? National Indian Brotherhood formed to represent Status Indians and Native Council of Canada created to represent non-Status Indians and Metis ? They presented “Red Paper” – Demand self-govt and control over their own affairs ? Trudeau’s govt withdrew White Paper in 1971
  • 29. Land Claims ? NIB renamed Assembly of First Nations to demand better conditions for Aboriginal peoples – Office of Native land Claims dealt with both specific land claims and comprehensive land claims ? Declaration of the First Nations – Adopted in 1975 which included the rights of nationhood and self-govt
  • 30. ? Oka Standoff, 1990 – Want to extend golf course on land that Mohawks claimed that belonged to them – Mohawks set up blockades of major roads – Police stormed barricade and one officer was killed – Army was called in?tense standoff – Solution: federal govt bought the disputed land and negotiated its transfer to Kanesatake First Nation
  • 31. ? Gustafsen Lake in BC – Aboriginal people re-occupied land they claimed was sacred ground ? Ipperwash in ON – Aboriginal people occupied land on former army base that was taken during WWII and never returned ? Meech Lake Accord – Did not recognize distinct status of Aboriginals
  • 32. Self-government ? Aboriginals believe they have inherent right to self-govt – Self-govt would recognize right to make decisions about matters internal to their communities, integral to their unique cultures, traditions and languages and connected with their relationship to land and resources ? Constitution of 1982 guaranteed existing rights would be recognized and affirmed – Self-govt would be similar to provincial govt – Responsible for own policing, health care, education and equal access to institutions and benefits provided by fed govt
  • 33. ? Self-govt in MB – 1990s Aboriginal people took over responsibilities of the Dept of Indian Affairs and Northern Development in MB and assumed self-govt
  • 34. ? Nisga’a Treaty – 1998 in BC signed treaty with both provincial and federal govt – Nisga’a given wide powers of self-govt pertaining to issues of culture, language and family life – Nisga’a given ownership of 1,922 square km of land, including all resources, fishing and hunting rights and $190 million – No non-Aboriginal settlers were forced from the territory that the Nisga’a control – Non-Aboriginal settlers do not have the right to vote for the councils that govern the region
  • 35. ? Creation of Nunavut territory in 1999 – Aboriginal peoples were given the right to self-govt over natural resources, education and justice systems – No political parties – people run as individuals and elected members vote for the member who they want to lead the govt ? Statement of Reconciliation, 1998 – Cdn govt recognized that policies which sought to assimilate Aboriginals were not conducive to building a strong country
  • 36. Today--inequality ? 500 000 face worse living conditions than rest of Cdns ? Average income is half of national average ? 50% of reserve families live below poverty line ? 66% are either unemployed or on welfare ? Less than 55% Aboriginal houses are served with sewer and water connections (national rate in 90%) ? Suicide 6 times national rate – exceeds rates for all other racial and ethnic groups in the world