Benefits for Indigenous People

Whatever term you prefer, First peoples, Aborigines, Native peoples, or autochthonous, there is no doubt that ethnic groups that were the earliest known inhabitants of a land are unjustly disadvantaged in modern times.

Being subjects to colonization and occupation indigenous people face major pitfalls in life, both individually and as a community. They face obstacles others do not, and through no fault of their own, rather than that of historical occurrences.

Since everyone recognizes the challenges these groups face, almost in all countries, laws, and initiatives are enacted to level the playing field and offer prosperity so that these people can function just as well as any other group in their country.

This is done through legal methods, some of which we’ll list below.

Reservations

These are designated areas of land given to indigenous people that sometimes have sovereignty, though are restricted by federal laws. They exist in many countries including Australia, Brazil, Bolivia, Canada, Colombia, India, and Costa Rica.

Filmmakers in the US like to use Indian reservations to show off their casinos. Tribes are not bound by the laws of their state, and most legalize gambling. Though, nowadays, the activity has moved on to the digital sphere. Most people do their gambling at online casinos.

It’s easy, fast, and enticing. You can land a progressive jackpot that can change your life. And, let’s not even get into the vast catalog of slots on these platforms. You can choose anything from vintage to the latest casino games. Thousands of them. They even have the classics like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. Plus, you can play them against live dealers.

Scholarship Opportunities

Because most indigenous people are facing unfavorable financial situations, governments try to balance this injustice by offering these groups more educational opportunities, so they can flourish in society and break the cycle.

Despite a focus on college educations, in most countries, there are programs aimed at careers in the military and the air-forces.

Tax-Exemptions

Many think that as soon as someone obtains indigenous status, they no longer pay taxes. This is not so. Of course, it greatly varies from place to place. In most, indigenous people that work and live on a reservation do not pay any taxes. In others, you might be eligible for an income tax-exception if you work for an indigenous organization or one that has offices on reserve land.

Monetary Compensation

Reparations. You’ve probably heard the concept discussed as pertaining to the US, and if they should pay reparations for slavery? However, in other countries, this has already happened. Canada has paid multiple compensations for different historical incidents regarding aboriginals. Including, the country forcibly removing children from their families and putting them in foster care in the 1960s and 1980s.

Australia too has paid different forms of compensation to its indigenous people. A 2019 decision ordered that almost $2 million are to be paid to the Nagliwurrur and Nungali peoples for the loss of Native Title to parts of their land in Timber Creek.

So, monetary compensations are commonplace.

Return to Indigenous Peoples' Literature

Compiled by: Glenn Welker
ghwelker@gmx.com