Final Reflection: What Blew My Mind?

This project has been very eye-opening for me, presenting a darker side to an issue that I always thought to be under control.
Aboriginal peoples in Canada are definitely experiencing inequality and injustice, with a wide range of issues presenting harmful effects to their society, livelihood, and status in Canada.
I learned about the issues concerning health care, including water treatment (or lack-there-of), health care facilities, air quality, and diseases and chronic conditions that develop on and off native reserves. I was also surprised to learn that aboriginal peoples are considering themselves segregated from the rest of Canada due to our immense lack of knowledge concerning their way of life. As members of this country, citizens of our provinces, and fellow human beings, we should be concerned and informed about their livelihoods, and take consideration for their customs. If the majority of non-aboriginal Canadians were living in cramped housing conditions, or places with "boil water advisories" that have been in place for over 6 months, immediate action would be taken to make the change.
When I began my research I wasn't too thrilled about the topic, and I wasn't sure if I would be able to present a point of argument for a group of people I was not informed about. I had no idea of the severity of the issue surrounding life on reserves and even worse, off reserves. I understand now that politics do no cover every area of our country, and governments are not always fair in their assessments of "who needs help". In fact, when I heard about the "political football" being played among the provincial and federal governments concerning aboriginal rights, I was stunned, no one wanted to be the change. Aboriginal people are a part of Canada, citizens of our country, and demand the attention and support that the rest of us get. It's only fair, and the situation is getting better to be honest. All together, an interesting topic, especially since it was so close to home. You would never guess the depth of the issues Aboriginals have to face every day, in education troubles, desperate attempts to gain employment, or the sickening conditions they are subjected to. I don't know how easy it would be to sit down with the chief's of each nation and come to an agreement on what's too be done... it has been tried before, a laborious concession of times before, but I hope that one of these times both sides of the argument put aside their differences and come to an understanding, freeing aboriginal peoples from poverty, and putting the damn issue to rest!