this post was submitted on 18 Apr 2026
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AskACanadian

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A place to ask Canadians questions and get answers. The most obvious questions would be about Canada, but you can ask about pretty much anything; news, current events, society, etc

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[–] Bubbaonthebeach@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

In my region, several First Nations are fighting over the same land. Apparently even they have "colonization" problems with each other. I wonder which year/century/millenia we would have to go back to for everyone to agree on whose land it was?

[–] shawn1122@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Colonization and its legacy are much bigger than a regional land dispute. Canada will eventually need to come to terms with its history if it wants to move forward. It can't wear its dark past as an albratross around its neck forever. I do commend the prior prime minister for his efforts in bringing these issues to the forefront.

I don't agree with everything freagle is saying but it's true that the RCMP has historically targeted indigineous peoples. Indigineous peoples are very much treated as the lower caste of Canada, similar to the Romani people in Europe (though with a very different history) and Canada could do better at remedying the injustice it brought upon the original stewards of the land. There's no reason that should offend any settlers or their descendants.

[–] frisbird@lemmy.ml 1 points 2 weeks ago

No, that's not what colonization is. You should educate yourself on your own country. Let's take one example of how a land dispute between two First Nations is not equivalent to colonization.

The First Nations didn't decide where their reservations would be, the English settlers decided that. That's colonization.

The First Nations didn't decide which tribes would be legally recognized and which would not, the English settlers decided that. That's colonization.

The First Nations didn't decide that tribal membership would be based on blood quantum, the English settlers decided that. Not only is that colonization, it's literally genocidal colonization. Why? Because the reservations and First Nations populations are tied together, meaning that if a First Nation is no longer federally recognized, their land goes back to the settlers. And since the settler government killed so many of them in the process of colonization, First Nations have low population. So when you say that you are required to have a minimum of 1/4 blood quantum to be a federally recognized member, then the tribe either has to intramarry and create huge genetics problems, or they need to marry across tribes and dilute their blood quantum. Eventually the settler system will breed out enough blood quantum that they can reclaim the land.

That's colonization.