Writing of a feature article. The topic of this assignment is: The First Nations Land Management Act (FNLMA): Examining its Impact on Indigenous Land Rights in Canada
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The First Nations Land Management Act (FNLMA): Examining its Impact on Indigenous Land Rights in Canada
Introduction
Indigenous land rights have been a contentious issue in Canada for centuries. The First Nations Land Management Act (FNLMA) was introduced in 1999 as a means to address some of the historical injustices faced by Indigenous communities regarding their lands. This legislation aimed to provide First Nations with greater control over their lands and resources, empowering them to make decisions that align with their cultural and economic aspirations. However, the FNLMA has faced both praise and criticism since its implementation. This article will examine the impact of the FNLMA on Indigenous land rights in Canada, exploring both its successes and shortcomings.
The FNLMA: A Brief Overview
The First Nations Land Management Act, also known as the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management, allows participating First Nations to assume control over their reserve lands and resources. Under this legislation, First Nations can develop their own land codes and manage their lands according to their specific needs and priorities. The FNLMA provides an alternative to the Indian Act, which has long been criticized for its paternalistic approach to Indigenous governance.
Successes of the FNLMA
The FNLMA has had several positive outcomes for Indigenous communities in Canada. Firstly, it has granted greater autonomy and self-governance to participating First Nations. By allowing them to create their own land codes, the FNLMA recognizes the unique cultural and spiritual connection that Indigenous peoples have with their lands. This shift towards Indigenous-led decision-making has enabled communities to assert their rights and exercise control over their territories.
Secondly, the FNLMA has fostered economic development within participating First Nations. By assuming control over their lands, communities have been able to leverage their resources for economic purposes. This has led to increased employment opportunities, business development, and revenue generation. Moreover, the FNLMA has facilitated partnerships between First Nations and private sector entities, allowing for mutually beneficial collaborations that promote economic growth while respecting cultural values.
Lastly, the FNLMA has helped to rebuild trust between Indigenous communities and the Canadian government. By recognizing the inherent right of self-determination and granting greater autonomy, the FNLMA represents a step towards reconciliation. It acknowledges the importance of Indigenous perspectives in decision-making processes and promotes a more collaborative approach between First Nations and the government.
Shortcomings of the FNLMA
While the FNLMA has made significant strides towards empowering Indigenous communities, it is not without its limitations. One key concern is the limited number of participating First Nations. Currently, only a fraction of Indigenous communities have opted to join the FNLMA, leaving many without the benefits of self-governance and control over their lands. This raises questions about the accessibility and effectiveness of the legislation.
Another criticism of the FNLMA is its potential to exacerbate existing inequalities between First Nations. Participating communities may experience varying degrees of success in implementing their land codes, depending on factors such as resources, capacity, and geographic location. This can create disparities between communities that have successfully leveraged their lands for economic development and those that have struggled to do so.
Furthermore, some argue that the FNLMA does not go far enough in addressing the underlying issues related to Indigenous land rights. While it grants more decision-making power to participating First Nations, it does not address broader issues such as unresolved land claims or the impact of resource development projects on Indigenous territories. Critics argue that a more comprehensive approach is needed to truly address historical injustices and protect Indigenous land rights.
Conclusion
The First Nations Land Management Act has undoubtedly had a significant impact on Indigenous land rights in Canada. It has provided participating First Nations with greater autonomy, facilitated economic development, and contributed to reconciliation efforts. However, challenges remain in terms of accessibility, equity between communities, and addressing broader issues related to land rights. As Canada continues on its path towards reconciliation, it is crucial to critically evaluate legislation such as the FNLMA and work towards a more inclusive and just approach to Indigenous land governance.
