The "First Nations" a.k.a. Native Canadians/North Americans have always been a Nation within a Nation. This distinction is simply one to recognize the fact that there are differences between the way we live and they way they do and that they were here first and therefore have a few different rights--or so I understand it. I'm not entirely sure why they are debating the status of the Qebecois as a Nation, but I'm sure it has something to do with their status as a people who did a good bit of the exploration and settlement of Canada way back in the day.
Sometimes celebrating our differences is important, sometimes declaring our differences helps us to maintain a bit of our heritage and keep tradition alive--Where would Native Spirituality be without the First Nations designation? At the same time, the Gypsies here in Toronto hold their own court and govern their own people to an extent the same as some other smally cultural groups...does status as a Nation just serve as a publicity stunt to pull in more tourists and help fund their culture while at the same time possibly destroying it by making it a gimic?
Sometimes celebrating our differences is important, sometimes declaring our differences helps us to maintain a bit of our heritage and keep tradition alive--Where would Native Spirituality be without the First Nations designation? At the same time, the Gypsies here in Toronto hold their own court and govern their own people to an extent the same as some other smally cultural groups...does status as a Nation just serve as a publicity stunt to pull in more tourists and help fund their culture while at the same time possibly destroying it by making it a gimic?
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