Are attitudes towards Indigenous people changing for the better?

An Environics survey of non-Indigenous Canadians found that their opinions of Indigenous people are becoming more positive.

According to the survey, Canadians are increasingly more aware of the disparities that Indigenous people face, and the hardships that have burdened them in the past. The survey also shows that Canadians are open to learning more about Indigenous and non-Indigenous relations.

More Canadians now know about the residential school system, have heard about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its work and are aware of the institutional discrimination that Indigenous people encounter on a daily basis.

Although there have been positive developments in the knowledge Canadians have about Indigenous people, the survey also revealed Canadians still hold negative stereotypes about First Nations, Métis and Inuit people. 

Many Canadians think Aboriginal people have a sense of entitlement about receiving support from the government and taxpayers. Others believe Indigenous people are themselves the biggest obstacle to their own social and economic equality.

Though the results of the survey are generally positive, there is still a long way to go on the path towards reconciliation.

What do you think? Do you feel that perceptions of Indigenous people are changing?