government passed the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. in a key area: recognition of political autonomy or self-determination. political rhetoric.” Yet, much of Canada’s progress remains symbolic, based in government recognition as opposed to policy.Ĭanada’s federal policies lag behind those of the U.S. In an interview with the HPR, Sophie Pierre, tribal chair of the Ktunaxa Nation Council in British Columbia, cited the past electoral cycle as an example of how Native American issues are “barely heard in U.S. Furthermore, land acknowledgments are now often read in Canadian schools before singing “O Canada” to recognize the land’s original inhabitants. Under the UN Human Development Index, there is also greater social stratification within Canada’s indigenous population, particularly among the Métis. Moreover, generally speaking, First Nations policies occupy a much more prominent role in mainstream politics.
government nor its officials have recognized its historical actions as a “genocide,” nor have apologies been issued to Native American tribes. The movement to acknowledge missing and murdered Indigenous women also originated in Canada before spreading to the U.S. After Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recognized the murder of Indigenous women and girls as “ genocide,” the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was founded in 2008 to address the legacy of the Indian Residential Schools system, and numerous government officials have offered apologies for “ historic wrongs” committed. Superficially, Canada’s policies appear much more progressive. In each of these areas, the Canadian government’s denial of universal political sovereignty hinders the well-being of First Nations peoples. government’s recognition of indigenous statehood has laid the foundation for greater political empowerment, socioeconomic growth, and cultural revitalization. And while Native Americans are indeed much less visible in the U.S. While at first glance the relationship between the Canadian government and First Nations people may appear progressive, conciliatory, and apologetic, these symbolic gestures actually belie a federal reluctance to extend political sovereignty to all First Nations. Yet the comparison falls short with regard to their respective treatment of indigenous tribes and nations. It is difficult not to jump to conclusions when contrasting the Trudeau and Trump administrations’ differential handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“If Trump gets re-elected, I’m crossing the border North.” While the last electoral cycle and current pandemic have greatly amplified this sentiment, it belies an underlying and ongoing American perception that the land up north of maple syrup and apologies is immune to many of the problems plaguing the U.S. In the current political climate, many disenchanted Americans have expressed, to various degrees of sincerity, a desire to escape to Canada.
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