Why do first nations have collective rights?

Answer 1

because they want to be recognized as ppl, and to give them special rights to say they were founding ppl of Canada

Some people would have us believe that Indigenous People need a revolution in individual rights. That they need to be able to enjoy the secular wonders of colonial society - and know that, after 500 years of being kept face down as a people, they can finally have a chance to live "the good life".

Indigenous People just can't have that sort of life right now, we are told by these same people, because of "collective rights". A recent article by Joseph Quesnel attempts to explain.

The problem, according to Quesnel, is that "the collective wields power" over individuals, preventing them from exercising their so-called "principal rights". So instead of being able to fill out a human rights complaint or buy a brand new house, Indigenous People are forced to comply to the whims of "the collective" - which is to say, the Band Council government that control it.

"First Nation governments wield extraordinary power in terms of housing, employment, health and social assistance that can make the people fear government, rather than the other way around. Individuals do not possess their own property, so the collective wields power over their lives," says Quesnel.

While it's true that Band Councils have a strong hold on community affairs, a revolution in Individual rights is a poor and diluted way to address it.

Answer 2

Inuit people have collective rights because they are part of the founding people of Canada, without them, Canada would not be here today.