Globe & Mail
May 18, 2011
Briefly:
Of all the repositioning unveiled in the Harper cabinet shuffle, none may have such lasting consequences as a simple name change.
The department that had been called "Indian Affairs" since before Confederation has been rebranded as "Aboriginal Affairs."
At first glance, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's reclassification appears to be in keeping with prevailing moves toward political correctness: replacing a label that doesn't have much relevance any more with one more widely accepted. "Indian" is dated, in much the same way as Inuit are no longer called Eskimos. But there is power in naming. The semantic shift could have all sorts of consequences for native people from the laws governing their treatment, the services they get, and even their identities.
The department that had been called "Indian Affairs" since before Confederation has been rebranded as "Aboriginal Affairs."
At first glance, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's reclassification appears to be in keeping with prevailing moves toward political correctness: replacing a label that doesn't have much relevance any more with one more widely accepted. "Indian" is dated, in much the same way as Inuit are no longer called Eskimos. But there is power in naming. The semantic shift could have all sorts of consequences for native people from the laws governing their treatment, the services they get, and even their identities.
Winnepeg Free Press
May 19, 2011
May 18, 2011
