Speaking from experience, First Nations are confined to reservations with no White residence permitted except by marriage. Most natives move to where there is employment and education. The Tribal Council system works quite well and is all inclusive. Treaty rights have not been completely recognised but are in process, sometimes requiring lawsuits. Nevertheless, First Nations are untaxed and have superseding rights to fishing, trapping and hunting. There are loopholes. Natives sell firewoorks, illegal in Canada and untaxed cigarettes. Not sure why they don't sell untaxed booze, too. The casino business has not taken off bigtime as it has in the US. Corporations encroach on native land frequently and, of course, it's the natives get arrested. Pipelines from Alberta's oilsands are a big issue, as in pollution or waterways, impacting fresh water and salmon spawning. I myself spent five months defending Meares Island where Tla-o-quiat natives have lived for 10,000 years. We stopped the loggers and Meares Island is now a tribal park. With 1,500 year old trees that were intended for clearcutting. Does anyone know about the situation of the Kooris in Australia?
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