Aboriginal Peoples in Canada: A History Essay

In studying the early history of relations between the Aboriginal people of the country that is now called Canada, and the European newcomers from first contact to present day, it appears that more of the truth from the past is being revealed even now. Aboriginal philosophy and technology was vastly different and considered primitive to most newcomers but also was seen as brilliant to those newcomers that were able to understand and learn some of the ancient traditions. It would not be fair to assume that marginalization of the aboriginal was increased only as a direct result of technology, as each culture has its own technology not necessarily better or worse than the other. In early times the Europeans were at the mercy of the Aboriginal`s for their very survival as they were not fit to survive in this part of North America because of the difficult geography and climate. In Dickason’s book Canada’s First Nations: A History of Founding Peoples from Earliest Times she makes reference to how, â€Å"Anthropologist Robin Rodington has made the point that their technology consisted of knowledge rather than tools† (Dickason, pg. 40). It was soon seen that the aboriginal technologies including; survival, shared wealth, spirituality, navigating the wilderness, hunting, trapping, song, dance, stories and methods of warfare were all beneficial to the new colonial pioneers. See more: My Writing Process Essay The Europeans also brought; greed, firearms, firewater, reading, religion and writing (books), some of which were beneficial to the aboriginal but not necessary as they had done very well without them for a long time. Dickason then goes on to explain â€Å"that Amerindians had been able to survive as well as they did with a comparatively simple tool kit† (Dickason. Pg. 40) This simple tool kit was used along with complex knowledge to enable pre-contact aboriginal people to thrive in Northern North America. The early Europeans quickly realized that Aboriginals skills would be required in order for them to survive in such an environment, but they did not yet understand that these Aboriginal people were not to be easily conquered. The Canadian Aboriginal people’s military strength was often underestimated and misunderstood. As the aboriginal people eventually became a minority in their own land and their technology was seen as lacking any real value they were seen as being in the way of progress. In his book Sweet Promises J. R. Miller explains in the introduction how one historian has referred to as the ‘onset of irrelevance’. Relations changed drastically as the aboriginal people were no longer needed for military support as peace was on the horizon after the war of 1812. Increased immigration coupled with; death, disease and a lack of a way to provide for themselves led to the aboriginal people becoming even more of a minority. As marginalization hastened resulting in the aboriginal people having few choices left as they had become institutionalized by the government that was clearly not trying to help them at this point. All they could do was survive and try and hold on to what they had known before the Europeans had arrived not to mention their self-respect. Looking at this part of the World at this time which is considered a time of peace after The War of 1812. With the technological revolution under way which would change every culture on the planet, including the Canadian aboriginal way of life. The government with an increasing amount of immigrants and only so much good land to go around would create the reserve and the residential school to deal with the aboriginal. It was a piece at a time process but eventually it would contribute to their further marginalization and demise as a people. The government of its day just wanted what was best for its people of which the aboriginal were not. They were acting as if they were doing something good for the aboriginal people but facts are facts. The Steam engine, the automobile and soon another War would affect the aboriginal way of life both negatively and positively as well. It wouldn’t be until after the Second World War that the Canadian Aboriginal would begin to have any relevance as it would seem as the same as the reasons in the past. As J. R. miller points out in Skyscrapers Hide the Heavens â€Å"that the relationship between the indigenous peoples and non- natives has been shaped by practical, often economic, factors†. (Miller pg. 402-3). The recent â€Å"Idle No More† protest movement is proof that the Canadian aboriginal people are going to become more relevant in Canada’s future. Looking at the history of Canada with a better understanding from both the aboriginal side and the European side it is clear to see the past. In history this same process has occurred between different cultures and their technologies. Sometimes as well in history it has been seen that the cultures that survive exclusion emerge and then their true wisdom and its value is understood by all. More of the cause of the marginalization that has occurred was a clash of cultures; one of greed vs. that of benevolence. I see this happening now more than ever in Canada and the world could learn from the aboriginal knowledge especially how to protect the planet and its inhabitants.