When told of the horrible situations happening in First Nations communities across Canada, Canadians will either sympathize for them, or pose the pitiless, frequently asked question: ‘Why don’t first nations people move somewhere else?’. As this question is asked by many wondering Canadians, and even the former prime minister, Jean Chretien, this article address an explanation and argument to why the solution is not as simple as a change in geographic. The article goes into an explanation that First Nations have strong hearts when regarding their own people, the land that they live on, the history and traditions of their people, and the environment around them. It argues for the viewpoints of many First Nations: although their conditions are not great, it is their home. There is a strong belief that the paternalistic treatment that is received from the government needs to be addressed first. This article shows bias as it tries make the reader feel guilty for even thinking of the question “why first nations don’t move”. This is shown evidently when ends with the same question being directed towards the reader (why don’t you move), stating that issues like drug abuse and suicide happens in their communities as well. It is also expressed by the author’s tone, which is quite judgemental to those who are not First Nations. However, this article brings a side that many Canadians don’t view when they question why First Nations can’t just move, and it often links back to other articles to show evidence. Overall, this article is refreshingly blunt, meaning that it brings great insight, but not at a strong level.
Reflective Questions:
- Do you believe that it would be better for First Nations to move, why or why not? Would conditions for them be less difficult them when they move than they are on their reserve?
- Was it disrespectful and ignorant for a former prime minister to suggest first nations should just move?
- As First Nations people want to be on their land, how can better economical conditions can be brought to these communities, as to rather having them just moving?