5 Major Goals of public policy

Question 1

What are the 5 major goals of public policy in relation to Aboriginal peoples, as identified
by Gibbins and Ponting?

Answer 1

1. Protection (Exploitation)
2. Assimilation (Annihilation)
3. Christianization
4. Land Surrender
5. Government Authority

Question 2

Protection (Exploitation)

Answer 2

Under the pretext of providing “protection” to Aboriginal peoples, the government ensured that European settlers were free to exploit the vast Aboriginal lands while isolating Aboriginal people on reserves.

Question 3

Assimilation (Annihilation)

Answer 3

This is the central pillar of federal government policy. It was desired that First Nation peoples would give up their culture, languages, traditions, beliefs and adopt European culture, values and languages.

Thus attempt failed because: the society was unwilling to receive them (systemic and societal discrimination) and the determination/resilience of the Aboriginals.

Question 4

Christianization

Answer 4

The government claimed to “civilize” First Nation peoples by imposing Christianity upon them. Making Aboriginal ceremonies/cultural practices discouraged/outlawed. Education through church residential schools were used to destroy their culture/spirit, but is also isolated them from the “mainstream/society” which offsets the goal of assimilation

Question 5

Land Surrender

Answer 5

The government obtained land held by Aboriginal peoples for settlement of non-Aboriginal peoples. Reserves were a way to move them into agriculturally based communities: both to assimilate them and to obtain more land for settlement.

Question 6

Government Authority

Answer 6

The goal of the Indian Act was to establish power, superiority and authority over First Nation peoples and their land.