Canada is home to Aboriginal Peoples who are seeking recognition and self-determination on the world stage.

Economic development

Currently, many Indigenous Peoples face significant challenges related to economic development, and the attainment of Indigenous Rights.  There are many different explanations for these challenges, as well as a wide variety of opinions on how these issues can be resolved.  

Some Indigenous communities have economic opportunities that relate to extraction and exploitation of natural resources, such as oil, gas, minerals, water and wildlife. However, the emphasis on environmental protection and/or cultural and spiritual significance of the land in many Indigenous value systems is sometimes at odds with this type of economic development.

Many economic development models emphasize market-based capitalism and individual ownership of land and property. For Indigenous communities who traditionally practice collective ownership of land and resources this type of economic development can be a challenge and threat to cultural traditions.  

Another significant challenge is the use and control of lands and resources.  Even in regions with treaties and /or land use agreements, these rights are not always enforced.  Even more challenging problems arise when groups have little or no control over their territories.

In some cases challenges; have been met with protests and blockades about land use, natural resources and environmental protection. In other cases, Indigenous Peoples and local governments have been able to work cooperatively to find new solutions.

Political systems

Indigenous Peoples historically had their own sophisticated systems of government. However, through colonization and the arrival of new communities, these traditional systems of government were largely replaced and Indigenous communities were subject to foreign leadership. Many Indigenous Peoples feel the removal of traditional governance systems is an important contributing cause of current social issues. The right of self determination is at the heart of the contemporary Indigenous rights movement.   

There are many questions about how Indigenous governments would operate, and what relationships (legal and political) they should have with non-Indigenous systems of government.  The Canadian government has now begun to recognize the right of self-government for some First Nations groups at the municipal level.    The establishment of the new Territory-Nunavut in 1999, is also seen as important step in self-government for Inuit people.  

Historically, Indigenous peoples have been underrepresented in national and provincial / state governments. (In Canada as noted, Indigenous peoples did not even have the full right to vote until 1960. )  Slowly this is changing.  In  2005 Evo Morales, was elected as the president of Bolivia. This was the first time an Indigenous person was elected as president in a country where the majority of the population is Indigenous.

Despite these changes many Indigenous peoples still do not have control over their own government systems, and concerns about these rights are significant in international discussions about Indigenous issues.

Cultural rights

Indigenous peoples have distinct cultural identities, which have evolved and adapted over thousands of years.  These identities include diverse spiritual traditions, hundreds of languages, and unique values. In many cases, these values, traditions and languages have not been respected and, in some cases have been outlawed by governments.    

A number of factors have had a negative impact on the ability of Indigenous peoples to practice their cultural identities.  Historically, colonizers often held attitudes of cultural superiority over Indigenous peoples. In Canada, the cultural repression experienced in residential schools is still fresh in the minds of many Indigenous peoples, as are other assimilationist policies, such as the banning of the potlatch.  

Discrimination

Stereotypes also have a negative impact on Indigenous cultural identities.  Ideas which romanticize Indigenous peoples as environmentalists or traditionalists, create a simplistic understanding of Indigenous cultures. Additionally, generalizations about Indigenous peoples as impoverished or welfare-dependent can lead to discrimination and even racism.    

The impact of historic and ongoing racism and discrimination against Indigenous Peoples cannot be understated. This is particularly important for Indigenous women and children. In many countries, Indigenous women and children experience much higher rates of abuse than non-Indigenous peoples. Amnesty International Canada has criticized the government for its failure to protect Indigenous women citing that "Aboriginal women aged 25-44 are five times more likely than other Canadian women of the same age to die of violence."

Next section: Future directions