The Problem of Aboriginal Natives - Essay Example

How to deal with the problem of an aboriginal native trespassing on someone’s land when he/ she claims to be visiting ancestral burial ground. Introduction Cultural dynamics play vital role in human civilization and its development processes. Anthropologists through the ages have been studying the evolving cultural values that influence the human behavior through the times. The development of civilization and urbanization of land has brought in a plethora of new issues and problems. The rapid advancement of technology has ushered in a massive change in our lifestyle, disturbing ecological balance and leading to major climate change and natural disasters. At the same time, the identity of indigenous people and their community has come across major threats from the development and urbanization processes. The present conflict between Aboriginal Natives and urban development department is a prime example of conservation of cultural identity of the indigenous people through preservation of their ‘sacred’ land that holds spiritual importance for them. Problem The aboriginal tribes of Canada have distinct identity with unique traditions and cultures that have been passed on to the successive generations through the centuries. Their cultural identities have survived the tests of the time but recently their evolution has seen their inclusion in the so called mainstream population of the whites which has not been to their advantage. In the process of fast urbanization, an aboriginal native had seemingly trespassed on someone’s land while claiming that he had visited is ancestral burial ground. The indigenous tribes now want the land to be preserved and made accessible to them so that bones of their ancestors remain intact and sanctity of their cultural dynamics can be maintained. On the other hand, the landowners claim legitimate right to privacy and ownership on the basis of urbanization and subsequent ownership of the land. Since the case involves sensitive issue of indigenous tribes, it needs to addressed with wider implications for the welfare of human race and preservation of cultural heritage. Cultural identity and conflicts The cultural identity is an integral part of human race across the globe. The indigenous people can be broadly defined as ‘aboriginal ethnic societies of the Americas, which constitute a traditional unit of group conscience, identity and culture, with their own spiritual, social, economic, political, legal, self-government and self-determination systems’ (Santoyo, 2006). The genuine concern of the anthropologists for the fast disappearance of some of the indigenous communities due to urbanization and unprecedented advancement of technology is extremely serious issue and needs to be addressed. The decline of indigenous culture can be contributed to the fast deteriorating natural resources and destruction of environment. The conservation of cultural identity of indigenous people is vital to the modern society primarily because they are part of our heritage. The indigenous knowledge is correlated to their cultural identity and has greatly facilitated modern research at various areas of human interest. But their unique cultural identity is closely linked to the nature and unlike modern societal values nature is a means of survival for them and not a resource to be exploited for economic gain. In the present case, the anthropologists have confirmed the existence of an ancestral burial ground of indigenous people but have asserted that it might be from a much older group than of the presently claiming group. The major problems of case can be enumerated as below: 1. The Native culture does not allow the shifting of bones of the ancestors to a new burial ground. 2. Maintaining a status quo means that privacy of the present landowners would be violated and may result in the economic loss to him/her. 3. Since many acres of land in Canada was held sacred by the aboriginal natives and the urbanization may have impounded or unwittingly accessed their sacred land, the conflict needs to be resolved sensitively without antagonizing both the parties. Government’s agreement for conservation and preservation of cultural heritage The social scientists and governments across the world have recognized the need for conservation and preservation of indigenous people. The world bodies like UNESCO, WWF etc. have issued guidelines and recommendations for the same. The various nations have also made legal provisions for safeguarding the cultural heritage and territorial rights of indigenous people. The government of Canada has not only promulgated laws but drawn agreements with the Native Americans for protecting their indigenous culture, that includes protecting their holy places and recognizing their right to have their own socio-political and judicial system but working within the broader framework of democratic setup of Canadian constitution. World Conservation Congress has recognized that indigenous people need support and has called upon its members to ‘fully acknowledge the conservation significance of Indigenous Conservation Territories and other Indigenous Peoples and Community Conserved Areas - comprising conserved sites, territories, landscapes/seascapes and sacred places - governed and managed by indigenous peoples and local communities, including mobile peoples’ (WCC, 2008). Major economic and political ramifications The current conflict has huge political and economic ramifications. With the confirmation of the facts by the anthropologists, the conflict has become a serious bureaucratic faux pas with wide ranging economic and political repercussions, including violation of human rights and breach of agreement and good faith of the Native Americans. The decision on the issue would have significant impact on the economic activities that had been going on for decades on the impoundment. As a result, the local economy, including that of the indigenous people would have serious consequences, endangering the livelihood of great many people. Charles Hale is of the opinion that indigenous people are increasing internationalizing their cultural identity to gain ‘distinct territorial, political, and economic goals’ (Hale, 1997). Hence, it is imperative that they are made aware of the wider implications of their actions and look at alternate solutions for their problems. At the same time, it is also important to acknowledge that it is only human to err and the blunder was not discovered till recently. Hence, amicable resolution is the only solution to the conflict and efforts must be made to resolve the conflict in a manner that would promote the interests of all the people involved. Tentative plan for conflict resolution The most important aspect of the conflict is acknowledging and keeping the sanctity of holy places and territorial land of the indigenous people. Since the ancestral burial ground was not discovered till recently, it is important that the Native Americans are made to understand the serious repercussion of maintaining low water level at the dam. In the contemporary times, education and awareness of modern amenities have increasingly become strong facilitating agencies for the Native Americans in integrating with the mainstream population. Social scientists have asserted that ‘conflicts weaken government’ especially when they ‘curtail fundamental democratic rights such as that of participation’ (Bobbio, 1997). Hence, it would be most appropriate if the indigenous people become proactive participant in the resolution of the conflict. The collective decision would promote amicable resolution of the conflict. The following steps, constituting tentative plan is envisaged to open alternatives for conflict resolution: A committee of the local leaders, community groups, Native American leaders, experts and scientist must be formed The experts and scientists can prepare alternate plans for urban planning and device innovative means to continue the recreation activities around the impoundment within the specified time limit and seek approval from the local people and indigenous people. The local leaders, government agencies and social workers along with Native American leadership must look at the various alternatives and timeframe for implementation of the same. Using focus groups and mediators, the pros and cons of the situation would be analyzed and differences thrashed out on a wider platform of mutual interest and long term protection plans for the cultural heritage of the indigenous people. The shared learning and participation in the decision making greatly facilitates mutual trust and confidence building, paving way to amicable resolution of conflicts. The collective decision, thus reached would entail improved understanding of the wider ranging implications of the conflict and result in mutually satisfying solution of the conflict whereby status quo would continue for limited time period during which Alternate measures for sharing the space would also need to be explored. The alternate arrangements or improvisations would be made for people so that their livelihood and cultural sanctity is not threatened, compromised or finished due to new development vis-à-vis cultural conflict. Reference Bobbio, Norberto. (1997). El futuro de la democracia, México. D. F., Fondo de Cultura Económica. Hale, Charles R. (1997). Cultural Politics of Identity in Latin America. Annual Review of Anthropology 26(1997): 567-590. Santoyo, Gladys Jimeno. (2006). Indigenous Governance and Territory. Available from: [Accessed 15 April, 2010]. World Conservation Congress. (October, 2008). Supporting Indigenous Conservation Territories and other Indigenous Peoples and Community Conserved Areas. Available from: [Accessed 15 April, 2010]. Read More