The collapse of the teeming bison herds that once blackened the prairie was an economic catastrophe that still affects those who once depended on them, new research suggests.
"Economic opportunity is determined in part by history," said Donn Feir, an economic historian at the University of Victoria and one of three authors of a recently published paper on the lingering economic impact of that near-extinction.
"Those historical injustices are being perpetuated today through poverty traps," said Feir, whose paper is published in Oxford University Press' Review of Economic Studies. But by the turn of the century, all but about 500 bison had been slaughtered -- a collapse that happened in some regions within a decade.
People lost the bison around the same time they were being moved onto difficult-to-leave reservations. As well, those bison-dependent nations had relatively fewer nearby banks than other nations, Feir said. "Because there was this large economic shock and you restricted the ability of people to adjust to this shock, you end in a poverty trap."American data suggests the bison-dependent nations lagged behind other First Nations in manufacturing and employment industries. In-migration was lower until the 1980s. That data suggests economic hardship persists, with per capita income 25 per cent lower for bison-dependent nations than other First Nations.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
B.C. and First Nations reach deal to reopen Joffre Lakes parkJoffre Lakes Provincial Park will reopen to the public on Sept. 19, but close again on Sept. 30 for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Read more »
B.C. government, First Nations reach deal to reopen Joffre Lakes parkVICTORIA — The popular Joffre Lakes Provincial Park east of Pemberton, B.C., will reopen Monday after an agreement between the provincial government and the two local First Nations that had stopped visitors in August.
Read more »
B.C. government, First Nations reach deal to reopen Joffre Lakes parkVICTORIA — The popular Joffre Lakes Provincial Park east of Pemberton, B.C., will reopen Monday after an agreement between the provincial government and the two local First Nations that had stopped visitors in August.
Read more »
B.C. government, First Nations reach deal to reopen Joffre Lakes parkVICTORIA — The popular Joffre Lakes Provincial Park east of Pemberton, B.C., will reopen Monday after an agreement between the provincial government and the two local First Nations that had stopped visitors in August.
Read more »
Joffre Lakes deal a step towards reconciliation with First Nations, minister saysJoffre Lakes Provincial Park, known as Pipi7iekw to the Lil’wat and N’Quatqua nations, has been closed to the public, with the exception of the Labour Day weekend, since Aug. 23.
Read more »
Rosas Jr. excited to show off improvements after first career lossRaul Rosas Jr. explains that he's eager to show off his improvements following his first career loss.
Read more »