The Impact of Globalization on Indigenous People

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Indigenous people are referred to as those continuing historical practices of pre-colonial era. Such groups are currently considered part of non-dominant sector within society and are associated with transfer of ancestral cultural practices to successive generations within their territories.

Indigenous people are approximated to be roughly 6% of total global population. However,such groups of people should be considered important part of globalization initiative programs. Native people are considered part of periphery systems in modern society where they were initially used as source of enrichment of colonialist culture.

Indigenous people were considered as having rich cultural and social attachment towards natural resources such as land, forests, mountains and community beliefs. This was attributable to their level of spiritual attachment towards traditional practices (Hall and Fenelon).

Globalization comprises of two images of culture, one of them being extension outwards of particular culture within the world and heterogeneous culture incorporating all other cultures hence forming dominant move encompassing entire world. Concept of globalization began when dominant cultures colonized indigenous cultures in all aspects of their livelihood from traditions, lifestyles and spiritualties.

However, definition of globalization can be considered from a number of perspectives depending on nature of background used. One of the effects of globalization on indigenous peoples of Canada could be identified as signing of land surrender treaties.

This could be identified from European Settlers actions when they arrived in North America in mid-16^th Century and initiated informal trade systems with natives of the land. The process was followed by formation of other organized alliances such as military based on national long-term treaties (Hall andFenelon).

Royal proclamation of 1763 granted first priority of land ownership to First Nations, the treaty controlled rate of colonization by Europeans. British government at some point took land from First Nations and used it as a reward to those who proved loyal to their governance during wars.

This led to settling of most American refugees in North America’s reserved lands. British government dispossessed most First Nations of their land and heritage during war invasions and at some point indigenous people were forced to accept Christianity as condition of dwelling in religious lands. At the same time, invasion led to expansion of trade where several categories of equipment were traded back in European market.

Cree intermediary used during such trading activitiesinfluenced indigenous culture in terms of business and general lifestyle. Implementation of Crown Lands Protection Act of 1839 led to relinquishing of First Nations rights to own land and other properties. After peace negotiations between British and First Nations materialized, British decided to convince indigenous population on the superiority of British culture alongside their practices such as Christianity and Agriculture (Hall and Fenelon).

British influence was further felt through their act of providing incentives to those who agreed to ditch traditional culture and embrace British culture. All these were contained within Indian Act of 1876 which consolidated all other legislations regarding First Nations. Churches were used as means of imposing colonization rules within communities since they partnered so well with federal government.

Vast numbers of residential schools were created which housed thousands of Aboriginal children; these were used as primary tools for initiating civilization and assimilation amongst natives. Indigenous children were forced to abandon traditional culture, religion and beliefs. Additionally, there were recorded cases of absolute abuse towards children’s sexuality.

Responses towards such actions from natives were first addressed by First Nations in mid-1940s on realization of worsening conditions within residential schools. Cultural assimilation and federal government power practiced by Britons were strongly opposed during this era. This was followed by abolishment of some sections of Indian Act and at the same time natives were granted power to vote in federal elections.

Indian policy was reviewed in 1969 for the purposes of guaranteeing residents equal rights regardless of background and cultural affiliations. Indian Act was repealed in order to terminate special status accorded towards colonialists and First Nations people. However, First Nation people rejected contentious issues regarding withdrawal of their rights from the constitution leading to protest on the kind of power exerted over them by existing government.

This led to formation of Congress of Aboriginal People (CAP) in 1971 which catered for the interests of Indian tribes. Congress of Aboriginal People (CAP) sought to eliminate Indian act as well as First Nation people’s rights on land and taxation (Hall and Fenelon).

Indigenous people responded internationally through permanent forum within United Nation’s Council (UNC) dealing with economic, social, cultural and environmental development amongst others. The council provided formidable advices concerning indigenous issues and programs. First Nations within Canada attended such forums on private deals without involving the government. Universal declaration of Indigenous rights of 2007 advanced further protection of Indigenous people’s rights. This is since indigenous is usually associated with specific territory predating any colonization. At the same time globalization represents many dimensions considering economic, social and cultural perspectives. Globalization started with the coming of colonial practices within Canadian system which introduced cultural genocide and political assimilation.

Globalization facilitated rate of investment flows which directly affected livelihoods of indigenous people. Foreign investments increased amongst communities giving people sources from which they earned their living. Research reveals that most of untapped natural resources are found within indigenous people’s territories.

Such trends from investment ventures exerted pressure resulting into forcible displacement of the indigenous people in Canada and other countries such as Peru and Colombia. Globalization at the same time initiated demand for knowledge used for economic reasons. Indigenous people were discovered as having profound knowledge on medicinal value in traditional plants as well as that on food varieties.

As a result patents were granted to foreigners for many unauthorized reason on use of traditional knowledge as well as misuse of most medicinal plants. At the same time globalization increased tendencies for indigenous people to network in plight of raising funds with other world groups hence empowering themselves economically. Additionally,globalization extensively influenced international movements of people with high income countries attracting more people with diversified cultural backgrounds(Smith and Ward).

Cultural exclusion requires new approaches based on multicultural policies. This is since free flow of goods and people as well as exchange in ideas are considered threat to national cultures. These include abandonment of traditional values and practices as well as dismantling of cultural economic values.

However, multicultural polices provided for by United Nations Council assist in management of trade and immigration from different cultural perspectives. The policies assist in protecting cultural liberty and expanding indigenous people’s choices on lifestyle and identity(Smith and Ward).

There was extensive protest against white paper from First Nations people in 1969. This influenced domestic participation of indigenous peoples in parliament sessions. Such inclusions assisted in designing of governance capable of accommodating people from all cultural background without showing any sense of discrimination.

This led to reorganization from national, provincial, and territorial coalitions for the purposes of seeking further extension of rights to non-status indigenous and metis people.

Within the International field, Canadian First Nations people succeeded in lobbying the British government, hence joined Indigenous people from around the world in being seen and heard at the United Nations Council forums where various human values and rights are upheld. This ensured that colonial and assimilation practices are brought to an end whatsoever the price (Smith andWard).

Conclusion

Preservation of traditions at times lowers rate of human development. Most of indigenous people in Canada fear loss of their ancient cultural practices to foreign cultures. There’s tendency of some communities shutting out new ideas and any proposed change for the purposes of preventing violations of their cultural identity.

Conflicts experienced from16^thto 19^th Centuries in Canada were as a result of suppression of cultural identity by colonial powers. Cultural diversity should be considered with deep concerns since opposition towards it polarizes societies hence jeopardizing peaceful coexistence. Global interactions operate well when governed under influence of shared values and communication.

Cooperation is likely in the event that people are motivated based on shared values and commitments based on universal ethics. This leads towards respect for human freedom, equality and dignity.

Hence eliminates such occurrences of leaving negative impacts of globalization on indigenous people living in rural and developing areas. This is since indigenous people enjoy in their own right peaceful continued existence as peoples in line with their own cultural patterns and societal set-up.

Works Cited

Hall, Thomas & James, Fenelon. “Indigenous Movements and Globalization: What is Different? What is the Same?” Globalizations, (2008):1-11. Print

Smith, Claire &G. Ward. Indigenous Cultures in an Interconnected World. Vancouver: UBC Press, 2000. Print

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The Impact of Globalization on Indigenous People

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