The Doctrine of Discovery

The Doctrine of Discovery had been used for centuries to expropriate indigenous lands and facilitate their transfer to colonizing or dominating nations, speakers in the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues stressed today, urging the expert body to study the creation of a special mechanism, under United Nations auspices, to investigate historical land claims.
Taken from:  http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/hr5088.doc.htm

The Doctrine of Discovery is the legitimated notion that the first European country that discovered lands unknown to other Europeans could claim property and sovereign rights over Indigenous Peoples and their homelands. The Doctrine has been applied in countries around the world, including the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Brazil, and many African countries. All nations and peoples need to understand how this law developed; how it was used to denigrate Indigenous Peoples as human beings and then was used to steal their lands, assets, and rights; and how it has impacted Indigenous Peoples from the onset of colonization right up to 2012.
Taken from:  http://blog.oup.com/2012/08/doctrine-discovery-indigenous-peoples/

In the video link provided below, Chief Oren Lyons discusses how the Doctrine of Discovery came about in 1493 after Columbus's return to Europe and how it was inserted into US policy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVZDbqh7WgM&playnext=1&list=PL96969160AE4881A5&feature=results_main

Anni! or Hello in Obijway.  This is the language of the Mississaugas of New Credit First Nations who occupied and then surrendered the land to the Crown in 1805 to which is now where the city of Toronto sits.  As a native born, Canadian who was born and raised in Toronto, I find our true history both important to learn and inspiring as I learn it.  I hope to inspire you also with the incredible knowledge and information about Indigenous Peoples and their Cultures throughout Canada and the Americas in this blog!

I decided to create this blog in an attempt to spread knowledge about Indigenous Peoples and their Cultures, to dispel common stereotypes, and to build positive, strong, lasting relationships among Indigenous Peoples and Non-Indigenous Peoples in the area where you may reside.

My profession is an educator, so I greatly value the importance of spreading information to help bring awareness of truth, to help those make educated conclusions with the right information!

I look forward to you joining my blog and contributing your ideas, comments, opinions and further information you may like to add to generate healthy and challenging conversations!