One main topic discussed in History 1120 was the first contact with the aboriginal communities in Pre-Confederation. Many native groups made connections with European settlers when they arrived. These connections may not have been strong or beneficial to both sides and often the Europeans prospered over the First Nations. Although many aboriginal groups did have a form of contact with settlers, some did not. Beothuck was one native group that did not make a connection with the European settlers. This was a major anomaly of that time. In class we talked about how this effected both the beothock and the settlers.
Discussing the connections Fist Nations had with settlers in the past, created a discussion in class on how relationships with native groups in Canada can still have it’s ups and downs. Still to this day First Nation groups have connections with Canada but often they do not have as many benefits. Moving around I experienced both positive and negative relationships between aboriginal groups and the communities they are apart of. I grew up in a small town called Powell River and originally that land and some of the islands around were only occupied by the native group that currently is apart of our community. Since I can remember we have always lived with them peacefully many of them are my closest friends. I personally was honored to be apart of their community since my mom worked in their counselling system. I was apart of their cultural events, and celebrations. The contact between these two groups was strong and both sides for the most part have benefited. When I moved to Calgary it was a major difference. The native community here does not have a very great relationship. It is interesting how just moving to a new community the communication between the groups changes. This is much like it was in early Canada. The relationships all differed depending where they lived.