Quote:
Originally Posted by Azure
Not sure how you can compare the two.
Canada has always been tolerant of the traditions of its people. As long as you follow the law and pay your taxes, nobody cares when you celebrate Christmas, or if you even do.
What 'traditions' that the Natives have would be 'lost' if the reserve system were abolished and the Native people were assimilated into the rest of Canada?
|
As mentioned by other posters, they are comparable in that Canada was not always tolerant. The difference between China and Tibet and Canada and First Nations is they are in different points of time. If you look back to the 1800's, I would argue English settlers were just as harsh to the Native people as China is with Tibetans. If we travel 100 years into the future, who knows, China could be in the exact same situation Canada and The US are in right now.
And that's why I said the ultimate end goal would be the same if you think assimilation is the solution. Whether you breed them out like China does to Tibet, or you force the First Nations people into Canadian society, eventually both cultures will die out or be changed to the point where it's completely different. You can argue they can preserve their heritage, but the reality is, as each generation goes by, less and less will be passed down.
I'm a second generation Chinese. I know less of Chinese culture than my parents. My kids will know less than I will, and their kids will know less than them. Eventually, they'll be fully integrated into the Canadian culture. What's driving this "mosaic" of different cultures is the constant immigration Canada has. Where are First Nations people going to immigrate from?