According the the Ontario Human Rights Commission, systemic racism is described as "patterns of behavior, policies or practices that are part of the structures of an organization, and which create or perpetuate disadvantage for racialized persons."
In 1950 most Inuit in the Qikiqtani region (Baffin) lived in tightly-knit groups off the land following the ways of their ancestors. By 1975, almost all Inuit lived in permanent settlements, lured by promises, bullied by coercion and threatened with brute force. Their lives were turned upside down almost overnight.
The Nunavut Land Claim Agreement was signed on May 25, 1993, in Iqaluit by representatives of the Tunngavik Federation of Nunavut (now Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated), the Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories. This agreement brought hope for reconciliation and support after the horrific events by the government.
Part of the agreement is Article 23 - INUIT EMPLOYMENT WITHIN GOVERNMENT. In these very small communities there are limited jobs available for people to earn a living. This part of the NLCA is in place to ensure that all Inuit have access to training to increase the number of Inuit working for Government. The goal was for Inuit to eventually hold four out of five Government jobs. Almost 25 years later, this has not happened. Instead, the government continues to offer jobs to people in southern areas with big incentives. Many Inuit have taken the training opportunities yet are consistently overlooked when it comes to the hiring process. Instead they are hiring non-Inuits compensating them for moving into these communities, housing them in the very limited houses available and offering them "isolation" pay for living in such harsh environments. Like WTF. Someone is not doing their job.
My friend Q heading out in blizzard like conditions to check on the homeless.
Instead these local Inuit are left to live off of social services and if they're lucky are given housing in very poorly maintained buildings. Broken windows, rampant mold, frozen pipes and crumbling walls are common among these government assisted housing. On the other hand, southerners are given newer well kept facilities and in many cases vehicles which is a luxury. If this is not systemic racism I don't understand what is. On top of this many of these unemployed sit on waiting lists for housing while living with family or friends but many also take shelter in old makeshift shacks and old boats and even tents. The only men's shelter in town is always over it's 8 bed capacity. In the current -50 degree weather this is a severe crisis. The real piss off for many of these people are when they walk from town to these shacks they pass by EMPTY government subsidized houses awaiting more government employees. Yesterday my friend sent me a video of a house being refueled with propane for heating! They even keep these houses warm throughout the winter so the pipes don't burst. Now that is sad. I can't imagine how these people feel knowing that neither the Federal Government of Canada nor their own government of Nunavut will make things right. Hire these people and let them stay in these houses in their own communities. It makes 0 sense to me.
An empty house like so many others that could be used to house the homeless in Iqaluit.
Instead many are forced to live in tents and shacks in unbearable weather conditions.
http://aptnnews.ca/2017/02/14/nunavut-mans-petition-gets-prime-minister-justin-trudeaus-attention/
This is just one example of the systemic racism and discrimination happening in Canada's north. Sure it is an extremely complicated situation but Canada signed the agreement and is not following through. I am doing all I can do to spread the word to all who will listen. Please read Part One here: https://steemit.com/canada/@otterbeme/inuits-of-nunavut-part-1-oh-canada-the-hidden-truths-of-today
This is an ongoing series so look for Part 3! Thanks all!
