Quebec's Racism

[BlackEleven]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

I've been to Mtl four times, all times, and many during each visit francaphones have gone out of their way to be rude when they find out I don't speak French. Different restaurants and shopping downtown, the airport you name it.

Well, I'm sorry you felt that way, but I've lived here for many years and haven't ever been treated rudely based on the language I speak. Perhaps there was another reason they were treating you this way, but I don't know you, so I won't speculate much as to what that is. But guessing from the tone of your post, you have some preconceptions in regards to French-Canadians and probably rendered judgement before even setting foot in the province.

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

Montreal and the rest of the province is addicted to making sure english is marginalized, (see the rules the language police force everyone to abide by)

Yes, there are some ridiculous rules in regards to the French language, but that has nothing to do with trying to marginalize English. Trying to promote and preserve one language does not mean they are trying to marginalize another. As I pointed out in my previous post, any provincial documentation is available in English as well as French free of charge. These rules you speak of are by and large applicable to businesses in Quebec. No one is legally forced to speak French.

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

They are running debt faster than you can say bankruptcy (they are the second poorest province next to NFLD if you look at debt per capita)

Uhhh, we're talking about the English feeling marginalized in Quebec and how it relates to the school shootings in Montreal. What does Quebec's debt have to do with anything?? Just trying to throw out a red herring to generate support for hating Quebec?

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

they are bribing the federal gov't for support

Support for what? Marginalizing english? Or are we getting off topic again? Bribing them with what? I thought you said Quebec has massive debt; they borrowing money from the feds and then bribing them with it?

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

and god forbid you ever have a sign with english first or in a bigger font.

So French is in a bigger font, what's the big deal, most of the population speaks French as their first language. Obviously, the English will feel marginalized when they read a French road-sign. The 'arret' in the middle of a big red octagon is truely hard to decipher and really gets my blood boiling when I see it. The rest of the provinces have English first, if at all, because, surprise, surprise, most people speak English.

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

Montreal may be a multicultural city, but politically it and the rest of the province is a banana republic

Once again irrelevant to the topic at hand, but aside from that, do you even know what a banana republic is??

Here's one definition: a small country (especially in Central America) that is politically unstable and whose economy is dominated by foreign companies and depends on one export (such as bananas).

Yup, when I read that Quebec is the first thing that pops into my head.

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

that are creating so much financial damage that future generations will be buried beyond belief.

Again, this has nothing to do with marginalizing anglophones, the original topic, and is just another completley irrelavent tidbit you decided to throw out there in your hate-laced diatribe towards Quebec. Further, it is merely an opinion not backed up with any facts.

[jharp]

Originally Posted by Jayems

Can someone explain this to me, and I'm being 100% honest because I want to understand.

When black people start their own clubs, and label them as "black" clubs why isn't that considered segregation and racist since other ethnic groups aren't allowed to join, or believed not able to join by the name of the group.

Black Student Associations
Black Lawyer Association...

Know what I mean? What if someone were to start a White Students Association, would that not be seen as racist and segretative?

I can't find 1 association that isn't related to the KKK that is called a "white association".


I honestly don't know, so spare me the "your just being racist" crap. I want to see it from someone else's perspective.

all i have to say is womens rights.

[Flames in 07]

BlackEleven

This topic has turned many times since the start of the thread. I replied because of the notion that english speaking people are actualy treated with respect no matter where you go.

I still love the city and its history, I have lots of friends from there and love to go there to shop, but my wife and I are always striken by how rude people are when they say Bonjour and we say hello back. It's insane.

and the other points are to say that to think that language is such an important issue when QC's finances are in such a mess its sad that nobody cares about the futures that are being ripped away from future generations.

As for bribing the federal gov't ... here you go:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...ry/?query=bloc

[jolinar of malkshor]

Yes, there are some ridiculous rules in regards to the French language, but that has nothing to do with trying to marginalize English. Trying to promote and preserve one language does not mean they are trying to marginalize another. As I pointed out in my previous post, any provincial documentation is available in English as well as French free of charge. These rules you speak of are by and large applicable to businesses in Quebec. No one is legally forced to speak French.

The language laws in Quebec are unconstitutional. Sounds fair to me.

[BlackEleven]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

I still love the city and its history, I have lots of friends from there and love to go there to shop, but my wife and I are always striken by how rude people are when they say Bonjour and we say hello back. It's insane.

Well, again, I have witnessed your particular incidence, but perhaps I can offer some insight. Calgary is a very friendly city -- people say hello to strangers, smile, ask how they are doing, etc. Montreal is not. Its a difference in culture. I can see how people here would seem rude if your used to the culture in Calgary. But its not a grudge or something specificly towards anglos.

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

and the other points are to say that to think that language is such an important issue when QC's finances are in such a mess its sad that nobody cares about the futures that are being ripped away from future generations.

Well, like I said, its your opinion that the future is being ripped away. Not everyone feels that way. There is no one true, correct economic or political system. People here, for the most part, are happy the current socio-econmic climate and do not feel that their future is being "ripped away".

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

As for bribing the federal gov't ... here you go:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...ry/?query=bloc

That's just the BQ playing politics in a minority government. Its the exact same thing the NDP did to the Liberals when the Liberal had a minority. The Liberals were forced to add a lot of social welfare programs into the budget in order for the NDP to support them. All political parties will leverage their political standing to get what they promised to their consituents. They wouldn't be a very good political party if they didn't.

[BlackEleven]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

The language laws in Quebec are unconstitutional. Sounds fair to me.

Care to expand on that all or was that just a drive by?

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by BlackEleven

Care to expand on that all or was that just a drive by?

The supreme court of Canada has proclaimed the Quebec language laws unconstitutional. Quebec is the only province that has used and continues to use the notwithstanding clause in the charter inorder to maintain this law.

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by BlackEleven

Well, again, I have witnessed your particular incidence, but perhaps I can offer some insight. Calgary is a very friendly city -- people say hello to strangers, smile, ask how they are doing, etc. Montreal is not. Its a difference in culture. I can see how people here would seem rude if your used to the culture in Calgary. But its not a grudge or something specificly towards anglos.



Well, like I said, its your opinion that the future is being ripped away. Not everyone feels that way. There is no one true, correct economic or political system. People here, for the most part, are happy the current socio-econmic climate and do not feel that their future is being "ripped away".



That's just the BQ playing politics in a minority government. Its the exact same thing the NDP did to the Liberals when the Liberal had a minority. The Liberals were forced to add a lot of social welfare programs into the budget in order for the NDP to support them. All political parties will leverage their political standing to get what they promised to their consituents. They wouldn't be a very good political party if they didn't.

Let's see the link that has other parties saying give me tens of billions or else. "they wouldn't be a very good political party if they didn't" my god.

See, IN QC that's just politics, to the rest of Canada, and most of the developed world that's a bribe. So you may think banana republics only exist somewhere else, but if some party somewhere else pulled this one off people would say "typical of a banana republic"

[jolinar of malkshor]

Well, like I said, its your opinion that the future is being ripped away. Not everyone feels that way. There is no one true, correct economic or political system. People here, for the most part, are happy the current socio-econmic climate and do not feel that their future is being "ripped away".

Thats because the Alberta is funding all their programs.

[Flames in 07]

Black11

Nobody feels that way about their future because nobody understands what it means to have your debt to be 50% of your GDP ... and counting.

People ... largely because of media and lack of focus on being pragmatic people don't understand the financial alarm bells that are ringing.

[Calgaryborn]

Originally Posted by Phaneuf3

ok. does simply asking a guy wearing a turban if he's a terrorist hurt them? they're simply asking instead of assuming, right? asking a black guy if he's stolen any tv's recently?

A turban in and of itself doesn't beg a question to be asked. If there is other suspicious behaver that goes along with it than yes. My cousin manages the check-out clerks at a Super Store in Surrey B.C. The area has a high Sikh population. They have found a high percentage of their shoplifting is done in the cosmetics isle by young Sikh women. Why? Apparently many of their husbands keep a tight control of the purse strings and refuse to let them but cosmetics. Does my cousin question every Sikh women who spends time in that isle? No but she has the security watch people who fit that profile and linger in cosmetics.

As for the black guy I guess we are assuming that a lot of TVs have been stolen in my area and those caught have been predominately black. If that is the case and a black man is behaving suspiciously than I might ask him what he was doing.

The human mind works by categorizing what we see and what we hear into groups. Its good or bad or funny or dangerous or strange etc. If I met you my first impression of you would be based on my past experience with people who appear like you and talk like you. If I am a wise man I would realize that you might not fit into the category I have placed you. I wouldn't ignore my first impression but, at least realize I might be off base. Over time if I had more contact with you you would become part of the model of what I would expect from someone who I met similar to you. An example would be people who talk fast and try to monopolize a conversation. When I run into someone like that I immediately think: con-man. I may find my first impression was wrong but, the hypothesis has held true enough times to keep me wary.

[Phaneuf3]

Originally Posted by Calgaryborn

A turban in and of itself doesn't beg a question to be asked. If there is other suspicious behaver that goes along with it than yes. My cousin manages the check-out clerks at a Super Store in Surrey B.C. The area has a high Sikh population. They have found a high percentage of their shoplifting is done in the cosmetics isle by young Sikh women. Why? Apparently many of their husbands keep a tight control of the purse strings and refuse to let them but cosmetics. Does my cousin question every Sikh women who spends time in that isle? No but she has the security watch people who fit that profile and linger in cosmetics.

As for the black guy I guess we are assuming that a lot of TVs have been stolen in my area and those caught have been predominately black. If that is the case and a black man is behaving suspiciously than I might ask him what he was doing.

The human mind works by categorizing what we see and what we hear into groups. Its good or bad or funny or dangerous or strange etc. If I met you my first impression of you would be based on my past experience with people who appear like you and talk like you. If I am a wise man I would realize that you might not fit into the category I have placed you. I wouldn't ignore my first impression but, at least realize I might be off base. Over time if I had more contact with you you would become part of the model of what I would expect from someone who I met similar to you. An example would be people who talk fast and try to monopolize a conversation. When I run into someone like that I immediately think: con-man. I may find my first impression was wrong but, the hypothesis has held true enough times to keep me wary.

well cheers, at least you're consistant in how you lay out your expectations when you meet someone you don't know. i think i'm much of the same mindset as you.

however, its absolutely astonishing how many people will judge someone negatively that dresses slightly different than the majority and think this is fine. then turn around and cry foul when they or someone they know has the exact same thing done to them based on race or gender or some other arbitrary attribute.

[MatsNaslund]

[quote=jolinar of malkshor;567207]

But it's ok for the Charter of rights and Freedoms to discriminate against white males right? S15 allows for affirmative action. Really fair.

Under the law we are all equal. There is no white, black, brown, chinese or anything else. That is something any one of us could take the government to court over if racial profiling was ever openly tried by the government against sepcific ethnic groups such as how Arabs and Muslims are being mistreated in the US eventhough they had nothing to do with 9-11. It exists here but not so openly as in the US.

The Charter of Rights does not discriminate against Whites. Whites are the majority of the population in most places in Canada and Alberta. They already have most of the jobs and also have most of the spots in jails too as well as most of the hookers. It comes down to should a person's skin colour hold them back from a job when they are qualified? A white person has no such problem because White employers favour whites as employees. That is a FACT. There's even been studies done on topic.

There are some places like Montreal, Toronto which are really multicultural and even Vancouver which is 50% visible minority but not many places are like that in Canada. If you go outside Calgary anywhere south in Alberta there is probably 99% white people. Goto Lethbridge and Medicine Hat and tell me how many Blacks, Aboriginals, Arabs, Chinese and East Indians you know that live there v.s. percentage of White people there.

As a matter of fact it is fair because without such policies minorities regardless of their work experience & education in Canada would be unemployed at high levels and all those jobs would goto whites. That is part of the reason why many overseas immigrants who are doctors and engineers are driving cabs and doing such jobs. Their credentials may not be recognized but they still can't find any other work because of the colour of their skin. Government policies like that mentioned above give a chance to those who wouldn't get the job just because they are not white. Such hiring practices do exist. I wouldn't expect a white person to understand. One of the best examples of this is the good 'ol Oil and Gas industry workers in the field. What percentage are visible minorities v.s. White and then compare those percentages with the general public. Then tell me what is and what is not fair.

Someone else mentioned that redbeck is the same as the 'N' word...well its not even close. They are not even in the same league. I've only heard whites proudly claim themselves as rednecks. To learn more about what blacks had to go through during slavery I'd encourage you to watch the movie 'Roots'.

While we are discussing what's fair. I think that it is the right thing the Federal Government is doing by promoting individuals who are visible minorities, aboriginals and handicapped as well as Francophones because otherwise hiring practices such as those mentioned above would keep all government jobs to Anglophone whites.

Finally, how about aboriginals? What is fair to them? Their country was overrun and taken over by whites. Some of them were tricked into signing treaties. Other treaties weren't honoured by Canada. Alcohol and diseases were introduced to their people. Today the government gives individual reserves a lot of money but most reserves are in worse condition then 3rd world countries. Would you at least not agree that it is fair to give aboriginal individuals who want to pursue and education some kind of assistance from the government? What is wrong in helping a people who are down? Should the government be kicking them while they are down?

[Phaneuf3]

Originally Posted by MatsNaslund

Someone else mentioned that redbeck is the same as the 'N' word...well its not even close. They are not even in the same league. I've only heard whites proudly claim themselves as rednecks. To learn more about what blacks had to go through during slavery I'd encourage you to watch the movie 'Roots'.

and blacks don't proudly refer to themselves and other blacks by the 'N' word?! turn on mtv, the radio or the tv. also, i don't think the black youth of today has any connection or appreciation for what some of their ancestors may have gone through - no more than the youth of other races have.

Originally Posted by MatsNaslund

Finally, how about aboriginals? What is fair to them? Their country was overrun and taken over by whites. Some of them were tricked into signing treaties. Other treaties weren't honoured by Canada. Alcohol and diseases were introduced to their people. Today the government gives individual reserves a lot of money but most reserves are in worse condition then 3rd world countries. Would you at least not agree that it is fair to give aboriginal individuals who want to pursue and education some kind of assistance from the government? What is wrong in helping a people who are down? Should the government be kicking them while they are down?

is giving them nearly free cigarettes and booze solving their problem or is this kicking them while they're down? treat everyone equal. it doesn't matter where your great great grandfather came from or the color of your skin - it shouldn't give you any special treatment 'positive' or negative

[Mr.Coffee]

[quote=MatsNaslund;567556]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

Under the law we are all equal. There is no white, black, brown, chinese or anything else. That is something any one of us could take the government to court over if racial profiling was ever openly tried by the government against sepcific ethnic groups such as how Arabs and Muslims are being mistreated in the US eventhough they had nothing to do with 9-11. It exists here but not so openly as in the US.

The Charter of Rights does not discriminate against Whites. Whites are the majority of the population in most places in Canada and Alberta. They already have most of the jobs and also have most of the spots in jails too as well as most of the hookers. It comes down to should a person's skin colour hold them back from a job when they are qualified? A white person has no such problem because White employers favour whites as employees. That is a FACT. There's even been studies done on topic.

There are some places like Montreal, Toronto which are really multicultural and even Vancouver which is 50% visible minority but not many places are like that in Canada. If you go outside Calgary anywhere south in Alberta there is probably 99% white people. Goto Lethbridge and Medicine Hat and tell me how many Blacks, Aboriginals, Arabs, Chinese and East Indians you know that live there v.s. percentage of White people there.

As a matter of fact it is fair because without such policies minorities regardless of their work experience & education in Canada would be unemployed at high levels and all those jobs would goto whites. That is part of the reason why many overseas immigrants who are doctors and engineers are driving cabs and doing such jobs. Their credentials may not be recognized but they still can't find any other work because of the colour of their skin. Government policies like that mentioned above give a chance to those who wouldn't get the job just because they are not white. Such hiring practices do exist. I wouldn't expect a white person to understand. One of the best examples of this is the good 'ol Oil and Gas industry workers in the field. What percentage are visible minorities v.s. White and then compare those percentages with the general public. Then tell me what is and what is not fair.

Someone else mentioned that redbeck is the same as the 'N' word...well its not even close. They are not even in the same league. I've only heard whites proudly claim themselves as rednecks. To learn more about what blacks had to go through during slavery I'd encourage you to watch the movie 'Roots'.

While we are discussing what's fair. I think that it is the right thing the Federal Government is doing by promoting individuals who are visible minorities, aboriginals and handicapped as well as Francophones because otherwise hiring practices such as those mentioned above would keep all government jobs to Anglophone whites.

Finally, how about aboriginals? What is fair to them? Their country was overrun and taken over by whites. Some of them were tricked into signing treaties. Other treaties weren't honoured by Canada. Alcohol and diseases were introduced to their people. Today the government gives individual reserves a lot of money but most reserves are in worse condition then 3rd world countries. Would you at least not agree that it is fair to give aboriginal individuals who want to pursue and education some kind of assistance from the government? What is wrong in helping a people who are down? Should the government be kicking them while they are down?

Sounds like your painting all white people with the same brush in the boldened sentences. Is that right or wrong? Sounds kind of like your stereotyping to me. But hey, I could be reading it wrong.

I understand what your saying for the most part I think, but the country's make up does have a lot to do with immigration patterns I would think and less so to do with our country being racist. The black slave trade was a product of the United States mostly, and I'm sure you know this, but Canada was the region for black people to ESCAPE TO via the underground tunnels. Somehow I don't connect with how a white person today should be punished for the deeds of a white person 100, 200, 300 years ago... but nonetheless it is something that is in the past. Canada has definitely had its documented past. If it is an issue of the present, then everything brought upon as as outrage is legitimate. My point is, however, that today's society is a far cry from the racial tensions of even just 50 years ago. That's not a whole heck of a lot of time and in my opinion I think our society has made progress in terms of understanding- and part of that ihas to do with the opportunities Canada has provided for minorities.

Maybe it is impossible for a world to be removed from racial intolerance, but we can keep trying to make it better by increasing our understanding and by learning. And there needs to be a balance. Not talking to somebody at a grocery store is a pretty sensitive line wouldn't you think? Frankly I'm not sure that we as a society will be able to overcome the friendliness that is natural between two humans who perceive commonality.

I'm seriously not trying to be sarcastic or condescending or anything, I'm actually really interested if you could provide a link to that study that white people only hire white people. If you could that'd be great, thanks.

[Mr.Coffee]

[quote=MatsNaslund;567556]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

Finally, how about aboriginals? What is fair to them? Their country was overrun and taken over by whites. Some of them were tricked into signing treaties. Other treaties weren't honoured by Canada. Alcohol and diseases were introduced to their people. Today the government gives individual reserves a lot of money but most reserves are in worse condition then 3rd world countries. Would you at least not agree that it is fair to give aboriginal individuals who want to pursue and education some kind of assistance from the government? What is wrong in helping a people who are down? Should the government be kicking them while they are down?

Canada's got a big problem on their hands with the aboriginals. To me, it's pretty much unsolveable at this point. Anyways... few random thoughts/questions..

what treaties weren't honoured by Canada?

Aboriginals get loads of governmental assistance (although I'm sure you and everybody else knows this) through the treaties struck long ago. These are deals that frankly I can't see either side giving up on- even though Canada may wish it could.

Most reserves are worse then 3rd world countries? You sure about that? I honestly don't know. Haven't visited many reserves... haven't visited many 3rd world countries. Have you?

Some of them were tricked into signing treaties? What? When?

Some diseases were also transfered to the European settlers, this was a product of two worlds literally coming into contact after hundreds if not thousands of years. Tolerances had been built up by members of both sides, and thus the other sides were defenceless. It wasn't just like Europeans sailed over and said here ya go... hope you feel better soon. Both sides got sick. As for alcohol... I understand through stories of people I know that it is a pretty big problem on reserves which is too bad. Natives traded tobacco to Europeans. See, not all bad things were transferring one way.

Do you think that Europeans should have just stayed in Europe and left North America alone?

"Over-running" North America needs to be thought of as more of a context of the time. This was a time when European cultures were into imperialism and expanding their influence. They traded with Natives and some groups even formed alliances. It's not like our planet was going to stay isolated forever.

[Footscray]

[quote=Mr.Coffee;567711]

Originally Posted by MatsNaslund

Canada's got a big problem on their hands with the aboriginals. To me, it's pretty much unsolveable at this point. Anyways... few random thoughts/questions..

what treaties weren't honoured by Canada?

Aboriginals get loads of governmental assistance (although I'm sure you and everybody else knows this) through the treaties struck long ago. These are deals that frankly I can't see either side giving up on- even though Canada may wish it could.

Most reserves are worse then 3rd world countries? You sure about that? I honestly don't know. Haven't visited many reserves... haven't visited many 3rd world countries. Have you?

Some of them were tricked into signing treaties? What? When?

Some diseases were also transfered to the European settlers, this was a product of two worlds literally coming into contact after hundreds if not thousands of years. Tolerances had been built up by members of both sides, and thus the other sides were defenceless. It wasn't just like Europeans sailed over and said here ya go... hope you feel better soon. Both sides got sick. As for alcohol... I understand through stories of people I know that it is a pretty big problem on reserves which is too bad. Natives traded tobacco to Europeans. See, not all bad things were transferring one way.

Do you think that Europeans should have just stayed in Europe and left North America alone?

"Over-running" North America needs to be thought of as more of a context of the time. This was a time when European cultures were into imperialism and expanding their influence. They traded with Natives and some groups even formed alliances. It's not like our planet was going to stay isolated forever.

How does the context of time change the fact that one culture moved into another country, decided that the local culture wasn't as civilized or deserving as them and gradually took all the land from them, it's just not the right way to treat another group of human beings. It's pretty poor to suggest that because of timeframe and context being decent to another group of people suddenly doesn't apply - in my mind it always should if you are a good person. One culture that didn't even have a system of private land ownership was eradicated and completely replaced - using warfare, uninvited progression west; well before the treaties were even signed, and trading smallpox infested blankets to the natives to wipe them out which is pretty different from two worlds diseases just bumping into one another.

I mean no offence to you but I'd urge you to do a little more reading on the subject, not only about the history but maybe even firsthand visiting a reserve, there are a few rich ones and many sad sad reserves. People not trying to take your tax money but just find a way to survive within a framework of government and legality that their culture disagrees with, starting with private ownership of land to begin with. European cultures being into imperialism really does nothing to justify their actions as fair.

[White Doors]

[quote=Footscray;567738]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

How does the context of time change the fact that one culture moved into another country, decided that the local culture wasn't as civilized or deserving as them and gradually took all the land from them, it's just not the right way to treat another group of human beings. It's pretty poor to suggest that because of timeframe and context being decent to another group of people suddenly doesn't apply - in my mind it always should if you are a good person. One culture that didn't even have a system of private land ownership was eradicated and completely replaced - using warfare, uninvited progression west; well before the treaties were even signed, and trading smallpox infested blankets to the natives to wipe them out which is pretty different from two worlds diseases just bumping into one another.

I mean no offence to you but I'd urge you to do a little more reading on the subject, not only about the history but maybe even firsthand visiting a reserve, there are a few rich ones and many sad sad reserves. People not trying to take your tax money but just find a way to survive within a framework of government and legality that their culture disagrees with, starting with private ownership of land to begin with. European cultures being into imperialism really does nothing to justify their actions as fair.

Sounds like you are the one that needs to do more reading on it. Try 'Guns Germs and Steal' by Jared Diamond. What happened was inevitable. Living in the past only perpetuates the pain. Can I sue Germany for two great uncles dying in WW1? If not, why not?

[underGRADFlame]

I want to get in on this Aboriginal issue. This whole thing bugs me to no end.
I challenge someone to come up with one ethnic group that hasn’t been oppressed sometime in history. As far as I can tell every group has been, at one time or another, and odds are at another time that same group oppressed another group. It has been human nature from the beginning of time. I'm not saying this is right, I'm just stating that this is the way it has always been.
Now I understand the point of "this was there land" and "they were here first", but how realistic is this? Under this belief I could go back to Norway or England and claim that I am the rightful owner of certain lands because of my ancestry. It's been 100+ years and we still coddle them, I have my doubts that any of the new generation of aboriginals wants to go back to living in teepee's or long houses, and living off the earth, I could be wrong but I doubt it. The way the system is set up we segregate them from the rest of society, which ultimately cause problems. Other ethnic groups are able to integrate into our country but yet keep they're background and identity, but because these hand outs are provided to them they develop a feeling of entitlement. So why should they go out and join society when they know that the government will provide for them. I realize I'm generalizing here, there are a large number of aboriginals are upstanding members of the community, I have some in my family, and they are just as upset at current system, and the way the culture is brought down because some don’t want to accept change.
If aboriginals want equality and to be respected, then stop dwelling on the past, stop feeling sorry for yourselves and join the rest of the world, go to school, get a job, pay your taxes, raise your family be happy.

[Shazam]

Now I understand the point of "this was there land" and "they were here first", but how realistic is this? Under this belief I could go back to Norway or England and claim that I am the rightful owner of certain lands because of my ancestry.

Uh, erm, there are plots of land in Europe owned by the same family for literally hundreds of years. There are houses there owned by the same family for hundreds of years.

My (very extended) family owned quite a bit of land in Korea. We sold most of it a couple years ago for a very substantial amount of money.

If you have any relatives in Europe that own property, it doesn't hurt to get to know them and make yourself the favorite relative.