So I have to prepare a speech for a stupid debate in my social class. It's on whether or not you feel that indigenous people around the world should be compensated for legacies of colonialism. This is what I have so far.
Anything else you guys can think of? I need some solid reasons, and I know I agree with many of you at timesI wrote:
To what extent should indigenous people around the world be compensated for the legacies of colonialism? On one hand, I feel that they should be compensated, but on the other, I feel that they have been compensated enough as it is.
There are a few reasons why I feel indigenous people should be compensated. First, they were treated unjustly during the Indian Act. For example, the Indian Act stated in 1885 that First Nations people of Canada were prohibited from performing religious ceremonies. Such ceremonies like potlatches and sun dances were banned from being practised. This was a blatant attempt by the Canadian Government to encourage the natives to assimilate to Canadian culture. Many people feel this as a racist act put forward by the government in order to abolish their culture and religion. Another reason why indigenous people should be compensated is because they were governed by paternalistic governments who made all the decisions for them. For example, during the scramble for Africa, European countries held a meeting in Berlin, deciding who would get certain areas of Africa. African officials were not invited to this meeting. Eventually, many former colonies were put together in one large country. This resulted in hostility between different ethnic groups, causing violent outbreaks and genocide. Even after these countries split up and claimed independence, they still had difficulty governing themselves with stable democratic governments. They were ruled by dictators for several decades, and were suddenly abandoned once independence was granted. These indigenous groups were not to blame for what happened in Africa, and what is still happening today. They deserve a second chance at stabilizing their countries and fixing their ruined pasts.
Although these indigenous groups deserve to be compensated for what happened in the past, they have received enough compensation already. According to the Indian Claims Commission Act, the Commission had adjudicated over 62% of Indian Claims, and have granted over $1.3 billion dollars in 32 years. Even after all this money was granted to Indian Tribes around North America, they still felt it was not enough. If every single claim that the Indians put forward was granted, it would have amounted to over $14 billion dollars. Along with the money they received for damages in the past, they are still receiving special benefits today. These benefits include free education, tax exemptions, and annual treaty payments. They complain that their concerns are not being met, but yet they still receive several benefits that normal Canadian citizens cannot receive. I feel that presently they are being overcompensated and are still asking for more. They are being treated like royalty and continue to receive this treatment.