Modern Aboriginal issues, like the Ipperwash Crisis, are a result of century old conflicts between First Nations people and Europeans. Throughout their contact, Europeans and First Nations have had conflicting interests and ideals regarding political, economic and spiritual topics (Hedican, 2013, p. 52). For example, the use of land was very significant to both groups but in vastly different ways. One of the main reasons why Europeans found the New World was for resources and land. They saw the physical environment as raw materials. However, the First Nations people consider the physical environment part of their spirituality and culture. They did not see it as a resource, but rather as a system they were connected to. Different viewpoints on the use of land made it difficult for the Canadian government to allocate it effectively. The conflicts surrounding the use of land continue today and spark events like the Ipperwash Crisis. …show more content…
The Ojibwe and French under Champlain in 1615 started to trade mainly guns and furs, which allowed the Ojibwe to dominate their enemies easily in Southeastern Quebec and Ontario. (Hedican, 2013, p. 23-24). By the late 18th century, the Ojibwe controlled the territory surrounding the western half of the Great Lakes. However, new expansion of territory led the Europeans to propose a series of Peace and Friendship Treaties to establish the groundwork of resource sharing and cooperation between the two parties. The Peace and Friendship Treaties are where the first true land disputes begin. The Europeans viewed land as a commodity that could be bought, sold and traded. However, the Ojibwe did not understand the treaties in that same way because of cultural and spiritual differences. The Ojibwe had an understanding of territory, but believed that land was a fully shared resource, along with water, air and