1) I do not believe that the First Nations people should continue to be treated as a distinct from the rest of the

population. Today, Canada is a multicultural society with a large percentage of people from visible minorities. Being a country with citizens of diverse backgrounds, it would be unfair to continue treating the First Nations people differently and give benefits that cannot be redeemed by others. Although they were the original inhabitants of this land, times have changed and their role in the Canadian society and economics are decreasing. On the other hand, the significant of minority groups and immigrants in the Canadian culture is on the rise. These peoples could also be considered to be "distinct" but are in general treated equally by the government. The different benefits the First Nations have were legislated when they made up a greater important in the culture. However, I suggest that if the importance or value of peoples in the culture is decreasing, then they should be treated the same as the remainder of the population. 2) The main evidence would be in the 2001 census, only 4.5 percent of the total population reported of having an aboriginal background and this number is decreasing. In addition, the majority of the First Nations people reside in communities away from main society. At first, the First Nations were more familiar with the land and knew the ecology better but in the 21st century, technology is the driving factor behind man's survival and the latest advances are more prominent in urban areas. These were developed in Canada by the first settlers and the multicultural society; therefore, the First Nations people are no long in a dominant position.

4) This should not be the government's decision because regardless of government certification, an individual has their unique identity and the government should have no right to interfere with that.

Max Chen