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Introduction
While Canada is considered a relatively new country, much of its history can be traced to the end of the first ice age, 20 thousand years ago. At that time there was still an isthmus, which was a kind of bridge between Siberia and Alaska. Therefore land route generation of Siberian hunters-nomads moved slowly on American soil. This theory is supported by archaeological excavations in the basin of Old Crow in the Yukon, in which was found a set of tools that allows to date the initial period of migration is as described above. Thus, it is the Siberian nomads that are the ancestors of the indigenous peoples of the Americas, which were later adapted to the new conditions and quite strongly changed.
In the XVI century, the Spanish and Portuguese traders were the first Europeans who began to tie a close relationship with the indigenous population of America. This population they called "Indians" in the mistaken belief that they had reached India. Subsequently, the term "Indian" started to be used. In the XVII century they added another name, "Red". It was given by the British settlers after they met in Newfoundland Beothuks tribe, whose members have daubed themselves with red ocher, to protect against insects. Indigenous peoples of the North American were called "Eskimos", which literally means "eaters of raw meat."It is clear that these nations themselves are not enthusiastic about such items. Therefore, modern Canadian indigenous leaders reject these names for the benefit of others: the natives, natives of Canada, First Nations, which in their opinion are much more acceptable. The peoples of the Far North prefer to be called Inuit, which simply means "people." Among the indigenous peoples identify themselves as Metis, descendants of intermarriage between indigenous peoples and French settlers.
The historical experience of Canada in the search for solutions is relevant in the modern era, when the question the principle of national sovereignty, traditional values and priorities arose. Originated more than 140 years ago, the Canadian Confederation with broad autonomous rights of its member provinces reflects not only the realities of the time, but the obvious multinational character of the new country. Even different in spirit and essence of the name of the state in many official and now archive documents, The Dominion of Canada (Dominion of Canada) in English and La Puissance du Canada (Canadian confederation) in French clearly reflects the ambiguous understanding of the essence of the Confederation in its two main national components. During its long historical development Canada suffered serious complications in the national relations, which may well be described as a crisis arising as a result of a natural response of the French part of the country to an entirely obvious infringement of its rights.
Social and Economic Conditions of First Nations in 20th century
The Royal Proclamation of 1763 defines affiliation Indian tribes lands as a fair, reasonable and important for their interests and for the safety of colonies to some nations and the their lands were reserved for Indians, as their hunting territories. In Canada, unlike the United States, the conclusion of agreements with the tribes of the assignment of land started much later and lasted longer: from 1871 to 1921. The content of such agreements can be seen in the number 4 of the document, signed in 1874 by the Government and the Cree communities, and the soto (transfer part of Saskatchewan). The size of reservations set per 1 sq. mile (260 hectares) per family of five people at the same time the leader received a gift of $ 25, and each member of the community $ 12. The Indian hunters relied annual supply of a small amount of gunpowder, bullets and other equipment, and those engaged in agriculture, got out some equipment, livestock and seeds. Over time, more and more spread practice of dispensing with the federal government to sign any agreement with the Indians resulted in the facts that within the boundaries of the Dominion of Canada had a huge area, generally not covered by contractual obligations: first sub-Arctic regions of Newfoundland, Labrador and northern Quebec in the east to Northwest Territories, the Yukon and British Columbia to the west.
With the rise of ideas the national development, there were ideas of assimilation of indigenous people and removing them from their communal lands. Their children had to attend local schools compulsory, and it caused a negative impact on the future indigenous generations. They were treated bad, suffered from different abuses. That resulted in a lot of psychological troubles and some of cases were described by Chief Bev Sellars in her book (2003). Her negative experience in St Joseph Mission was just one example, but that was a wide unpleasant practice for First Nations People.
In 1951 the Indian Act was passed: the indigenous people received the right to self-government through community councils, fixed division by status and other Indians. Only status Indians were exempt from land taxes and have the right to choose local on-reserve.
In 1969, the last Canadian province has removed restrictions on the participation of Indians in federal elections. In 1973, it was recognized the right to own land at the decision in their favor lawsuits territory not covered agreements for non-status Indians.
The Constitutional Act of 1982 fixed the "recognition and affirmation of existing Aboriginal and treaty rights of aboriginal peoples of Canada". In 1985, the modified Indian Act removed discriminatory for Indian women a position in which they and their children were denied the right to maintain Indian status and membership in the community in the event of marriage with non-Indians, and before cancellation for this reason was it restored. In 1994, the Government of Canada pleaded guilty to indigenous peoples.
Currently, Indigenous people are politically active and take an active part in the political life of the country. The elections in 2015 had a great number of indigenous participants, voters and finally, ten of them were elected (Littlechild). It shows that the First Nations in Canada want to play a significant role in the country development and are very socially and politically active. There were issues that are quiet unpleasant and painful, and they are contemporary, for example, the lands of Native nations may be used by the miners (Edvina). The struggle for the own rights makes the minorities to join together.
The national problems can highlight the problem of the indigenous peoples of Canada. The indigenous population has recently also strengthened the struggle for their rights. To a certain extent this is due to the reorientation of his hunting economy to employment and, consequently, migration to the cities of the Canadian North. Aboriginal peoples have long demanded inclusion in the constitution of special amendment providing for their right to self-determination. As a result, in 1993, the Constitutional Act was introduced a provision stating that the country's indigenous peoples have the inalienable right to self-government within Canada. And this right in 1999 was implemented. There was another one, the thirteenth, the subject of the federation, called Nunavut (translated from the Eskimo - "our land"). Nunavut was separated from the Northwest Territories, an area in which the result was reduced by 2/3. Nunavut covers 2 million sqr. kilometers or 1/5 of the entire area of Canada, although it is inhabited by only 21 thousand people, mostly Inuit, with an average population density of 100 persons per 1 km2. Rights Nunavut are similar to the rights of the Yukon and the Northwest Territories: here were created by the Legislative Assembly, the executive office, the court. Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien called Nunavut education a great day not only for this area but for all of Canada (Laws-lois.justice.gc.ca).
French Canadians under the Control of English Canada
In fact, the Franco-Canadian territory of Quebec is the largest by area (in its territory three Frances could accommodate) and the second most populous province in Canada, giving more than 1/5 of all the country's GNP. Through the territory of Quebec deep waterway runs along the river. St. Lawrence. On this river such city as Montreal are located, where lives nearly half the population of the province and which is often referred to as the Canadian Paris and Quebec, almost all of whom are French Canadian population. But the most important thing is that the French language on a par with English is the official language of Canada (Cooper). The equality of the two languages is strictly observed. Not only official documents but even the labels of goods sold, ads and labels across the country are made in two languages.
Yet it is undeniable that the French Canadians in Canada suffer from national discrimination. It began with the formation of the Dominion of Canada in 1867, when the binational character of the state was not adequately reflected in the country's constitution. Orders prevalent in Canada, French Canada were withdrawn as “minor” citizens, and most of Quebec as a kind of economic appendage of the English-speaking provinces. French Canadians had virtually the only law graciously given to them by the colonial authorities, to take an oath of allegiance to the new monarch, and in case of failure to leave the country. Some people left the country. Among those who left were seniors, people of the old administration, wealthy people in one way or another connected with the metropolis. The overwhelming majority of the population, including clergy and lords, remained in the colony. For the old ruling class colonialists kept all the wealth and the right to operate dependent peasants. Seniors have lost a number of privileges and sources of income related sinecures, as well as legal and military power. Weakening of the seniors after coming to Canada the British quickly realized the simple people, the old ties of subordination and dependence began to disintegrate with the growth of hostility to the lord and liege obligations. British authorities tried in vain to stop the process.
National and particularly economic inequality of the two "nations founding" was particularly evident in the middle of the XX century. It came out that mostly Anglo-Canadians occupy key positions in the country's economy and its social hierarchy; living standards of French Canada lagged behind the national average, their earnings commensurate with jobs residing in Quebec Anglo-Canadians that unemployment in the province is much larger, and the level of education and health care are lower than in the English-speaking provinces. It is also worth to mention the fact that, unlike the neighboring province of Ontario-based economy in Quebec were up and industries belonging to the "lower floors." The life of a French-Canadian working class was described by the Canadian writer in her novel The Tin Flute, where the hard conditions of working class were described (Roy).
All this in the 60-70-ies. XX century caused a rapid rise of French-Canadian nationalism. Widespread demands not only the expansion of the rights of the French language in English-speaking provinces, but also the creation of dual Canadian federation. Moreover, organizations, movements and groups calling for full self-determination of the province in Quebec began to emerge. They demanded even for its separation from Canada and the creation of a "sovereign Quebec." Such extreme separatist tendencies created the ground for the emergence of terrorist organizations and have even led to the introduction in 1970 of temporary martial law. Then, the negotiation process has been continued. Nevertheless, Quebec was the only province in Canada that did not sign in 1982 a new constitution. It was a response to the refusal of Anglo-Canadians to the recognition of Quebec the status of "special community".
Later conciliation talks were continued in 1987, and all ten provinces adopted a new document, defining Quebec as a "unique society" within Canada. However, by the deadline (June 1990), it has not been approved, mainly because of opposition from some English-Canadian provinces. In 1992, a new project has been agreed constitutional reform, but he also did not collect the majority of votes at the pan-Canadian referendum that spurred a new wave of French-Canadian separatism. And in the 1994 elections to the National Assembly of Quebec won the Parti Québécois, speaking for its full sovereignty. A direct consequence of this was carried out in October 1995, a referendum on full independence of the province. In the case of its success, Canada would be split into two geopolitically and economically independent parts, which could call into question all of its continued existence. But the separatists Francophones in this referendum did not win.
Nevertheless, no one can ignore the fact that against the secession of Quebec from Canada voted 2361 thousand people, and for the separation 2308 thousand. Hence, for the victory in the referendum supporters separation was not enough only a little over 1 %. Immediately after the referendum, the federal Canadian authorities have stepped up their policy in two ways. On the one hand, they offered to Quebec the most favorable conditions for it, proclaiming the province "special community" and giving it additional constitutional rights. On the other hand, they appealed to the Supreme Court asking about whether all of Quebec the right to secede from the federation unilaterally. To this it is possible to add that in Quebec, not all French Canadians are in favor of secession from Canada. At the beginning of 2003 Quebec party lost the election of the Liberal Party, in favor of maintaining the federation. In 2006, the Prime Minister proposed to declare Quebec a "nation (country) within a single Canadian." But the controversy surrounding this issue continues.
Conclusion
Current problems in the Canadian societies are combined with the co-existence of three founding nations. Two of them are French Canadians and First Nations. The problems that arise currently in the societies are the issues on the way to create a unique Canadian national identity. Two of three founding nations continue to struggle for their rights and we can relate the will of the nations to each other.
Works Cited
Cooper, Celine. "Celine Cooper: Let's Start Talking About Language Differently". Montreal Gazette. N.p., 2016. Web. 24 Jan. 2016.
Dickinson, John Alexander, and Brian J Young. A Short History Of Quebec. MontreМЃal [Que.]: McGill-Queen's University Press, 2008. Print.
Edvina,. "5 Problems Facing The Aboriginal People Of Canada | Care2 Causes". Care2.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 24 Jan. 2016.
Laws-lois.justice.gc.ca,. "Nunavut Act". N.p., 2016. Web. 24 Jan. 2016.
Littlechild, Rick. "TEN ABORIGINAL CANDIDATES ELECTED IN ELECTION 2015". Firstnationsdrum.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 24 Jan. 2016.
Roy, Gabrielle. The Tin Flute. New York: Reynal & Hitchcock, 1947. Print.
Sellars, Bev. They Call Me Number One: Secrets And Survival At An Indian Residential School. Talonbooks, 2013. Print.
