Aboriginal Beliefs, Values, and Aspirations in Contemporary Society
Aboriginal Beliefs, Values, and Aspirations in Contemporary Society
Aboriginal Beliefs, Values, and Aspirations in Contemporary Society
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Appendix 2.4.3<br />
Gather<strong>in</strong>g Strength – Canada’s <strong>Aborig<strong>in</strong>al</strong> Action Plan<br />
On January 7, 1998, the federal government unveiled Gather<strong>in</strong>g Strength: Canada’s <strong>Aborig<strong>in</strong>al</strong> Action<br />
Plan to renew its relationship with <strong>Aborig<strong>in</strong>al</strong> people <strong>in</strong> Canada. The spirit beh<strong>in</strong>d the plan is one of<br />
reconciliation, heal<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>and</strong> renewal. Its aim to build a jo<strong>in</strong>t plan for the future between <strong>Aborig<strong>in</strong>al</strong> people<br />
<strong>and</strong> the federal government. Its success depends on the participation of <strong>Aborig<strong>in</strong>al</strong> people, the<br />
Government of Canada, prov<strong>in</strong>cial <strong>and</strong> territorial governments, the private sector, <strong>and</strong> Canadians as a<br />
whole.<br />
WHAT?<br />
Gather<strong>in</strong>g Strength is a renewal of our relationship with <strong>Aborig<strong>in</strong>al</strong> people. It is based on: recogniz<strong>in</strong>g<br />
past mistakes <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>justices; commenc<strong>in</strong>g reconciliation, heal<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> renewal; <strong>and</strong> build<strong>in</strong>g a jo<strong>in</strong>t plan<br />
for the future.<br />
WHY?<br />
Conditions <strong>in</strong> <strong>Aborig<strong>in</strong>al</strong> communities generally are much worse than those of their non-<strong>Aborig<strong>in</strong>al</strong><br />
neighbours. Many <strong>Aborig<strong>in</strong>al</strong> communities lack the appropriate <strong>in</strong>stitutions, resources <strong>and</strong> expertise<br />
needed to deal effectively with such serious problems as rates of <strong>in</strong>fant mortality, youth suicide,<br />
unemployment <strong>and</strong> dependence on social assistance which are higher than the national average.<br />
WHEN?<br />
Gather<strong>in</strong>g Strength is about tak<strong>in</strong>g steps today to give <strong>Aborig<strong>in</strong>al</strong> people - particularly <strong>Aborig<strong>in</strong>al</strong> youth<br />
<strong>and</strong> children - the promise of a better tomorrow.<br />
WHO?<br />
The success of Gather<strong>in</strong>g Strength will depend on the determ<strong>in</strong>ation of the Government of Canada,<br />
prov<strong>in</strong>cial <strong>and</strong> territorial government <strong>and</strong> the private sector work<strong>in</strong>g with <strong>Aborig<strong>in</strong>al</strong> people.<br />
HOW?<br />
At the heart of the Action Plan is a commitment to address the needs of communities by build<strong>in</strong>g real<br />
partnerships with <strong>Aborig<strong>in</strong>al</strong> people, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g the development of mechanisms to recognize susta<strong>in</strong>able<br />
<strong>and</strong> accountable <strong>Aborig<strong>in</strong>al</strong> governments <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>stitutions.<br />
One aspect of our relationship with <strong>Aborig<strong>in</strong>al</strong> people over this period that requires particular attention is<br />
the Residential School system which separated many children from their families <strong>and</strong> communities <strong>and</strong><br />
prevented them from speak<strong>in</strong>g their own languages <strong>and</strong> from learn<strong>in</strong>g about their heritage <strong>and</strong> cultures. In<br />
the worst cases, it left legacies of personal pa<strong>in</strong> <strong>and</strong> distress that cont<strong>in</strong>ue to reverberate <strong>in</strong> <strong>Aborig<strong>in</strong>al</strong><br />
communities to this day. Tragically, some children were the victims of physical <strong>and</strong> sexual abuse.<br />
The Government of Canada acknowledges the role it played <strong>in</strong> the development <strong>and</strong> adm<strong>in</strong>istration of<br />
these schools. Particularly to those <strong>in</strong>dividuals who experienced the tragedy of sexual <strong>and</strong> physical abuse<br />
at residential schools, <strong>and</strong> who have carried this burden believ<strong>in</strong>g that <strong>in</strong> some way they must be<br />
responsible, we wish to emphasize that what you experienced was not your fault <strong>and</strong> should never have<br />
happened. To those of you who suffered this tragedy at residential schools, we are deeply sorry.<br />
Unit 2 - Page 20<br />
• <strong>Aborig<strong>in</strong>al</strong> <strong>Beliefs</strong>, <strong>Values</strong>, <strong>and</strong> <strong>Aspirations</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Contemporary</strong> <strong>Society</strong> - College Preparation