Quote:
Originally Posted by karl262
Serious question - How would Canada go about abolishing the reserve system?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Coys1882
You can't. Any politician who tried would be committing career suicide. It will never ever happen.
It's a shame people are possibly that frustrated in Winnipeg - I know Prince Albert was the same way. It's all you see and it's all you hear 
The other issue that concerns a lot of people is the drain on social services. Lots of money spent on the Native population for health care, justice, schooling and none of it or very little is paid for by them. It can cause a lot of resentment.
I worked at a Uranium mine for a couple years - the only white guy on the crew and it was a great time. Good, honest, hard working people, many of whom are just as critical of the stereotypical Native. It's a sad state of affairs - wish someone had the balls to tackle it head on. The treaties and reserves need to go. |
Coming back to this, would it really be political suicide though?
I mean, we all pretty much know that the current reserve system is not helping the aboriginal and is more of a hindrance on them if anything. If these are going to get better for the group as a whole, probably the best way is to get rid of the reserves and help them transition to living outside of the reserves. They already have that option, but they're not going to do it while that broken system is still in place.
I digress. Just ripping up the treaties and abolishing reserve land isn't going to fix the problems aboriginals face alone though. It's going to take numerous changes, and ultimately going to come down to education, and encouraging more of them to stay away from vices in life and commit more to positive and productive activities. There are numbers of them doing this already, and the more that come up can be role models in their community, and inspire others to do the same and follow their path. Things will get better, but the current rate is far too slow.
Anyway, getting back to main point. I would imagine majority of Canadian citizens are not a fan of the reserve system, and perhaps aboriginals on and off the reserves aren't that much of fans either? If a politician(s) actually wanting to take the issue by the horns, and campaign to get rid of the reserve system, outlining the issues with it, and alternatives that can be done to improve the standard of living for aboriginals on the reserves, will he really be risking his career that much?
What the politician is doing can be viewed as a noble act, and could get large support that people will rally around. Is it realistic to believe that they'll actually stand a better chance at getting alienated from everyone whom supported them and they'll lose political support and power? Naturally there will opposition from some high ranking members in the reserves themselves, since they're contributors to the problem. As well there will likely be opposition from opposing politicians to counter attack, but that itself could be a dangerous game since it could be viewed as keeping the aboriginals down and prevent progress for them; which could turn into a effect PR spin.
Maybe if this was coming from someone with weak political foundation, the risk is very high for them, but what if it came from someone with prominent political power and influence? People may listen more, and based on their credentials, choose to support them on this initiative, which will allow them to get party support needed to make this happen. After all, what do they have to possibly lose by doing it, in comparison to what they can potentially gain?
It may be naive, but I don't see the reserve system sticking around forever. At some point in the future, it's going to be rid of, and the politician who champions this initiative (and does it successfully, meaning it does improve life for aboriginals as whole) could have it define their legacy. That can be very attractive.