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Rhetoric and Reality: the Denial of Aboriginal Rights in Canada

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Rhetoric and Reality: the Denial of Aboriginal Rights in Canada RHETORIC AND REALITY: THE DENIAL OF ABORIGINAL RIGHTS IN CANADA by Corinna Lynn Netherton B.A., Simon Fraser University, 1997 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS in The College of Graduate Studies (Interdisciplinary Studies) THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Okanagan) August 2013 © Corinna Lynn Netherton, 2013 Abstract The Government of Canada’s denial of the nature of its colonial relations with Indigenous peoples is embodied in its efforts to keep the peace between Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal peoples. This peace is maintained through political decisions which deter from Aboriginals’ efforts to achieve autonomy. The rhetoric of the state narrative and the reality in practice is outlined is this thesis. Explored is how legislation impacts the rights of Aboriginal peoples and how reconciliation can be achieved with one another to build a relationship of mutual respect. Reconciliation includes overcoming colonialism and hegemonic control that still exists. Denial is an inherent trait that is manifested in society and is guided by the state through the nation’s laws. There continues to be an oppression of Aboriginal human rights and social justice in Canada, which is contradictory to international initiatives. This thesis explores the concept of denial as a symptom of colonialism that obstructs the much needed process of decolonization that is genuine reconciliation. ii Table of Contents Abstract ..................................................................................................................................... ii Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................... iii List of Abbreviations ................................................................................................................ v Glossary ................................................................................................................................... vi Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................. vii Dedication .............................................................................................................................. viii Chapter 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Research Objectives/Questions ........................................................................................ 4 1.1.1 Objectives/Goals .................................................................................................. 4 1.1.2 Question ............................................................................................................... 4 1.2 Literature Review............................................................................................................. 5 1.3 Theory .............................................................................................................................. 9 1.4 Methodology .................................................................................................................. 11 1.4.1 Indigenous Methodologies ................................................................................. 11 1.4.2 Methods.............................................................................................................. 12 1.4.3 Textual Analysis ................................................................................................ 13 1.5 Chapters Outline ............................................................................................................ 14 1.6 Significance and Contribution ....................................................................................... 16 Chapter 2 Denial .................................................................................................................. 17 2.1 Literal Denial ................................................................................................................. 19 2.2 Interpretive Denial ......................................................................................................... 20 2.3 Implicatory Denial ......................................................................................................... 20 2.4 Personal Denial .............................................................................................................. 21 2.5 Cultural Denial ............................................................................................................... 22 2.6 Historical Denial ............................................................................................................ 22 2.7 Contemporary Denial ..................................................................................................... 23 2.8 Official Denial ............................................................................................................... 23 iii Chapter 3 Rhetoric and Reality: The Constitution Act and Aboriginal Rights ................... 28 Chapter 4 Rhetoric and Reality: Socio-economic Inequality .............................................. 42 4.1 Health ............................................................................................................................. 45 4.2 Living Standards ............................................................................................................ 49 4.3 Education ....................................................................................................................... 55 Chapter 5 Rhetoric and Reality: International Law ............................................................. 68 5.1 The UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (UNGC).......................................................................................................................... 70 5.2 The UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 ................................................. 77 5.3 Other International Human Rights Laws: ...................................................................... 79 5.4 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) .............. 82 Chapter 6 Reconciliation ..................................................................................................... 90 6.1 Reconciliatory Justice .................................................................................................... 92 6.2 Ending Denial ................................................................................................................ 94 6.3 Indigeneity ..................................................................................................................... 96 6.4 Decolonization ............................................................................................................... 97 6.5 Reconciliation .............................................................................................................. 100 6.6 Reconciliation, Health and the Environment ............................................................... 101 6.7 Obstacles to Reconciliation.......................................................................................... 102 Chapter 7 Conclusion: Work in Progress .......................................................................... 108 References ............................................................................................................................. 115 iv List of Abbreviations AFN Assembly of First Nations CMHC Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation HDI Human Development Index IRS Indian Residential Schools IRSSA Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement NIB National Indian Brotherhood RCAP Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples RHS First Nations Regional Health Survey SSC Supreme Court of Canada TRC Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada UN United Nations UNDRIP United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples UNGC United Nations Genocide Convention v Glossary Aboriginal peoples - includes self-identified people of First Nations, Métis and Inuit. Aboriginal rights - “an inherent and original right possessed by an Aboriginal person or collectively by Aboriginal Peoples” (Young-ing, 2001, p. 136). Colonialism - “exploitation of a people by a larger or wealthier people” (Barber, Fitzgerald, Howell, & Pontisso, 2005, p. 151). Decolonization - the process of undoing colonization by incorporating difference, anti-racism ideology; in Canada incorporating Indigeneity into social, educational, economic, and political institutions. Denial - “a process by which people block, shut out, repress, and cover up certain forms of disturbing information or evade, avoid, and neutralize the implications of information” (Joseph, 2008, p. 208). First Nations - “Aboriginal Peoples as separate nations who occupied territory prior to the arrival of Europeans” (Young-ing, 2001, p. 137). Indigeneity - a shared cultural, social and political perspective of a group of people based on oral teachings/traditions where humans live in harmony with the ecosystem. There is a cyclical relationship in creating and maintaining a relationship between humans and the environment that is built on respect, reciprocity, and renewal. Humans and the environment are equal. Indigenous peoples - an internationally used term designated by the United Nations to identify native peoples as a collective in a global
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