A Welcome; and a Disclaimer

**The name for this blog might sound pretentious, but that really isn't my intention. Rather, the inspiration for the title came from my realization that, although far from perfect, I strive always to be a better person and to influence those around me in positive ways. While I may not be as influential as Mother Theresa or Gandhi, I do believe that my actions have a ripple effect on the people, things, and environment surrounding me. Please join me as I process this exciting journey!

Monday, March 28, 2011

Preliminary Thesis

I'll just brush past the apologies for my extended absence and move right into a brief post that I can justify writing on the grounds that it relates to the essay I have been working on for the past couple weeks.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have been taking a course, called Aboriginal Canada, via correspondence this semester from the University of Saskatchewan. It has been significantly eye-opening as it has explored everything from initial contact between Canada's First Nations and European explorers in the 16th century to the present struggle for self-governance and matters of education and basic human rights. Some of the course material was familiar to me, as I originally studied to major in Canadian and World History; other information was shocking, encouraging, appalling, and/or downright dumbfounding. Certainly, it has made for an interesting and intriguing course, and I appreciate the way in which it has generated in me endless questions and a desire to learn more.

The present essay has to do with the issues of Aboriginal resistance and self-determination, two very pressing and continuous topics in Canadian current affairs. As it stands right now, my essay's thesis (loosely stated) is the following: that Canada's First Nations are continuously employing a variety of actions and strategies to ensure that their rights are both granted and respected, and that they be recognized in their modern identity as fully-contributing members of Canadian society who participate in meaningful and important ways unique to their traditions, cultural values, and historical (both past and present) context.


Admittedly my thesis needs a little polishing, but I've posted it here as a means of virtual accountability -- so feel free to pry and ask how my magnum opus is coming along. Hmmm...perhaps "magnum opus" is a bit misleading; I suppose I ought to refer to it simply as "work" or "struggle," or even "mediocre paper" -- because if a topic so broad and intricately complex is downright stupefying. My only salvation will be to focus on the hope offered by the forward-movement of Aboriginal groups throughout Canada, and the ways in which they are paving the road to a more balanced future.