When it comes to Immigrants and Indigenous people, more so, First Nations, there tends to be some disagreements. Their relationship is sort of like one you would have with a twin sibling or a brother or sister or even a parent. If you have similar characteristics, problems and beliefs, you may not get along well because you are just too alike. You may constantly be in competition with one another and may sometimes wish the other was just not there. This pretty much sums up the relationship between Immigrants and First Nations.
Living in Canada, both Immigrants and Indigenous people face the problems of finding adequate housing, decent paying jobs, getting an education and far too often, living in poverty. This is a struggle that both of them face on a daily basis (Valene, 2010). Because both are in constant lookout to erase those problems from their lives, it causes tension between the two groups. Both want that nice house or that good paying job, so it’s a battle over who is going to get it. Purvis (2010) states that, First Nation’s people think that borders should be closed because there are so many people already in Canada struggling on a daily basis so there should not be more people brought in to only create more problems. With more and more immigrants coming in every year, there are more and more people struggling with poverty all the time. This allows for less help to the people already living in Canada who are struggling and need support. Immigrants the other hand, though they do want those jobs and houses and to not live in poverty, most of the time are just so happy to not be living wherever they were previously. This is most likely due to even more extreme cases of homelessness, unemployment and overall poverty wherever they were settled before Canada (UNPFII, 2006).
I for one cannot relate to being an Immigrant or a First Nations person, but I do understand the battle people you have much in common with. I see myself as quite similar to both my two sisters and my parents in different aspects. This can sometimes be the cause of happiness and joy, but can also cause great stresses and problems. For instance, I believe and everyone in my family can account for this as well, that my dad and I have very similar tempers and if we ever get in an argument, let’s just say it isn’t pretty. Both of us want to be right, obviously, both of us want to get our way, both of us want the last word and both of us can be quite stubborn. This is similar to the problems in the Immigrants vs. First Nations battle because both a far too similar to every come to an agreement and properly settle their dispute.
I think that if they worked together to solve the issues that both of them face, they may be able to come to some conclusions that will really help both their groups in the near and far future. I believe that everyone deserves a home to live in, a job or to be able to go to school.
- Michal B.
References:
Valene (2010). Aboriginal perspective on immigration. Retrieved November 3, 2011 from http://socialpolicies1310.blogspot.com/
Purvis, M. (2010, November 12). Immigration policies slammed at First Nations education rally. Sault Star. Retrieved November 5, 2011, from http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2837297&archive=true
Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (2006). Indigenous Peoples and Migration: Challenges and Opportunities. United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, N/A, 1-6. Retrieved November 3, 2011, from http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents
Manitoba Chambers (2011, May 5) Access to Education for Aboriginal Learners and Immigrants: Erin Selby [Video File]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuZYmzf2miQ
Hi Michal,
ReplyDeleteI really like your analogy of Immigrants and First Nations people being like family; similar enough to create anamosity between the two groups. I was wondering if you agree with the First Nations perspective; do you think there is only so much wealth to go around, so we should close boarders because we already have more people than we can adequalty care for?
-Julianna
I too enjoyed your analogy of Immigrants and First Nations people. Even though i'm not an immigrant myself, your analogy helped me grasp the topic you were discussing on a deeper level because my mother and I are the same way as you and your father. It just really gave me a better understanding. Great post Michal!
ReplyDelete- Yodit
I loved reading your post for the basic fact that I did not even think of this persepective: that by allowing more immigrants and refugees into Canada it has adverse affects on those living with in Canada already struggling with poverty. I would think a solution to helping those in poverty now would be to minimize the number of immigrants and refugees allowed through our boarders for a temporary period- just so that we can focus primarily on those that are with in Canada- instead of the percentages of poverty continuing to rise.
ReplyDelete-Morgan
Personally I think they are both in conflict because both groups are being marginalized. They are not able to surpass this marginalization and therefore turn on each other. Would you agree or disagree?
ReplyDelete-Kerri
Interesting analogy Michal. I agree with you Morgan re: a solution to a certain extent – Canada is a wealthy country, and I do believe we should help other countries and people in need, but I can’t help but always wonder about the people suffering and living in First Nation communities. Should Canada not take care of its own people first? I have seen many heated, intense debates about this topic on facebook on twitter, really interesting to read. Some of the comments regarding this issue of immigrants and First Nations have been negative, mixed, and positive.
ReplyDeleteDara