-=> Quoting LORRAINE PHILLIPS to JIM CASTO <=-
LP> The Canadian government passed the 'Gradual Civilization [sic] Act' in
LP> Whoever framed the Act was apparently Eurocentric enough to hope that
LP> native Indians would jump through hoops to prove themselves
LP> Europeanized, followed by participation in the privatization of
LP> communally-held lands. It's not surprising that they didn't go for
LP> it.
Sure, if the land to be broken up was communally-held land. Makes sense to
me. BUT... Keep in mind that in the U.S. there are all kinds of precedents
such as the various Homestead Acts, Oklahoma Land Grab, immigration, etc.
Offer seemingly desparate indiviuduals "free" land or a "fresh start" and
a LOT of them will _jump_ at the chance without even considering the
consequences or who might be "hurt" in the long run. I seriously doubt that
anyone who came out West on the Oregon Trail ever considered the possibility
that the land was not the U.S. Government's to give away.
Jim
--- Blue Wave v2.12
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* Origin: NorthWestern Genealogy BBS-Tualatin OR 503-692-0927 (1:105/212)
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