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Social Science Discrimination & Race Relations

Comparing the Policy of Aboriginal Assimilation

Australia, Canada, and New Zealand

by (author) Andrew Armitage

Publisher
UBC Press
Initial publish date
Nov 2011
Category
Discrimination & Race Relations, Native American Studies
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9780774842709
    Publish Date
    Nov 2011
    List Price
    $99.00
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780774804592
    Publish Date
    Jan 1995
    List Price
    $36.95
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780774804585
    Publish Date
    Jan 1995
    List Price
    $50.00

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Description

The aboriginal people of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand became minorities in their own countries in the nineteenth century. The expanding British Empire had its own vision for the future of these peoples, which was expressed in 1837 by the Select Committee on Aborigines of the House of Commons. It was a vision of the steps necessary for them to become civilized, Christian, and citizens – in a word, assimilated. This book provides the first systematic and comparative treatment of the social policy of assimilation that was followed in these three countries. The recommendations of the 1837 committee were broadly followed by each of the three countries, but there were major differences in the means that were used. Australia began with a denial of the aboriginal presence, Canada began establishing a register of all 'status' Indians, and New Zealand began by giving all Maori British citizenship.

About the author

Contributor Notes

Andrew Armitage is a professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of Victoria.