Introduction Sociology 214: Sociology of Indigenous people in Canada; has covered the topics of Indigenous and Sociological Paradigms, Colonialism, Identity, Aboriginal and Treaty Rights, Land Claims and Self-Government and lastly; Education, Economy and Social Conditions of Indigenous people. Through questions posted in the mandatory discussion forums each week, dialogue was held with other students to express opinions on the topic of the week while expanding knowledge of Indigenous people in Canada, and ones’ own personal opinions. These posts took place each week after reviewing and digesting the readings and videos in relation to the topic of discussion. This short post will describe how my personal ideas and opinions have changed …show more content…
With a greater knowledge about the Indigenous population of Canada, my thoughts have been altered and particular views I now held; earn more from a place of empathy rather than anger.
Changed Thoughts As I review my posts from the semester I see an initial change in my thoughts and perceptions about Indigenous people in Canada from a post on May 7, 2015. The topic of discussion was Western and Aboriginal ways of knowing; our knowledge and views of the two. Prior to reading the material I posted about my personal thoughts; in summary, Western Ways of Knowing were more scientifically based and Aboriginal Ways of Knowing were more holistic. Once the material for the week had been read, I posted again, here mentioning Dr. Battiste’s article, Indigenous Knowledge: Foundations for First Nations. From this article it is apparent my thoughts changed, noting that society perceives Indigenous ways of knowing as “old or out of date”; simply proving that society is uneducated about Indigenous culture and teachings. Furthermore, from Dr. Battiste’s article I quoted "Indigenous knowledge is systemic, covering both what can be observed and what can be thought. It compromises the rural and the urban, the settled and the nomadic, original inhabitants and migrants". This statement solely stood as evidence that I was a part of the population of Canada unaware of the extensive knowledge behind Indigenous knowledge. It is here in the initial
Colonization efforts that were overtly racist against indigenous individuals majorly disrupted traditional indigenous communities in an almost inexhaustible list of ways. This resulted in a sustained long-term trauma that affected generations of indigenous people in Canada and, with current policy, will continue to affect future generations. Academics largely
Unique traditions, language, beliefs and values all comprise Indigenous culture. It is critical that a meaningful appreciation of their culture
The impact of colonization on First Nations peoples in Canada is unsurpassable, regarding every aspect of Aboriginal life and well-being. Throughout Canadian history, the government has been aiming to assimilate and annihilate Aboriginal people by way of racist policies, ethnocentric institutions, discriminatory laws and destructive capitalist behaviours. Because of this, Aboriginal people have suffered many losses, both physically and culturally. One of the main perpetrators of enacting this loss is the education system. The education system in Canada has and continues to threaten the relationship First Nations peoples have with the land. The connection First Nations peoples have with the land is crucial to their cultures, traditions, ceremonies and beliefs. Colonization and colonialism jeopardize this relationship and that is what this essay will address.
Since the colonization of Canada First Nations people have been discriminated against and assimilated into the new culture of Canada through policies created by the government. Policies created had the intentions of improving the Aboriginal people’s standard of living and increasing their opportunities. Mainly in the past hundred years in Canadian Society, policies and government implemented actions such as; Residential schools, the Indian Act, and reserve systems have resulted in extinguishing native culture, teachings, and pride. Policies towards the treatment of Aboriginal Canadians has decreased their opportunities and standard of living because of policies specified previously (Residential schools, the Indian Act, and reservation systems).
Canada as a nation is known to the world for being loving, courteous, and typically very welcoming of all ethnicities. Nevertheless, the treatment of Canada’s Indigenous population over the past decades, appears to suggest otherwise. Indigenous people have been tormented and oppressed by the Canadian society for hundreds of years and remain to live under discrimination resulting in cultural brutality. This, and more, has caused severe negative cultural consequences, psychological and sociological effects. The history of the seclusion of Indigenous people has played a prominent aspect in the development and impact of how Indigenous people are treated and perceived in today’s society. Unfortunately, our history with respect to the treatment of Indigenous communities is not something in which we should take pride in. The Indian Act of 1876 is an excellent model of how the behavior of racial and cultural superiority attributed to the destruction of Indigenous culture and beliefs. The Indian Act established by the Canadian government is a policy of Aboriginal assimilation which compels Indigenous parents under threat of prosecution to integrate their children into Residential Schools. As a nation, we are reminded by past actions that has prompted the weakening of the identity of Indigenous peoples. Residential schools has also contributed to the annihilation of Indigenous culture which was to kill the Indian in the child by isolating them from the influence of their parents and
8th Fire: Indigenous in the City, is part of a documentary series that describes the challenges that aboriginal people face when moving to the large cities from reservations. The documentary begins by describing the stereotypes that English Canadians as well as other visible minority groups perceive aboriginal people to be. They show how damaging the stereotypes are to the First Nations, especially in the area of education. The documentary concludes by offering a few some solutions of how to change and improve the relationship between the aboriginal community and the rest of Canada. The two main aspects of the film that I will focus my analysis on is the education system from past to present and the negative impacts it has had on the
Our country of Canada has a dark past. First Nations and Indigenous people in Canada were oppressed to the point where people now refer to what happened to them over 150 years as a cultural genocide. In this essay, I will attempt to explain the media’s coverage on the oppression that Indigenous people have faced, and why media coverage was so rare prior to this year. I will do this by looking in detail at three scholarly articles, five newspaper articles, and a YouTube video.
In this research paper, I will be explaining how western colonialism and racism destroyed the reputation of aboriginal peoples in Canada. The reason why I chose this topic because it shows the strong relationship to anthropology and after taking aboriginal studies 30, it also shows that I have a clear understanding about the history of aboriginal peoples in Canada, the struggles they have been through over the past decade and the challenges they still face today in modern day society. I’ll be addressing these issues in a couple of paragraphs on the discrimination and the inequalities of these “minorities” and how they had to assimilate into European culture, leaving their way of life behind them.
The Aboriginal peoples of Canada had gone through many situations to get to where they are today with their education system. Pain, sorrow, doubt, and hope are all feelings brought to mind when thinking about the history and the future of Aboriginal education. By taking a look at the past, anyone can see that the right to education for Aboriginal peoples has been fought about as early as the 1870s. This is still is a pressing issue today. Elder teachings, residential, reserve and post-secondary schools have all been concerning events of the past as well as the present. Though education has improved for the Aboriginal peoples of Canada, there are still many concerns and needs of reconciliation for the past to improve the future.
First Nation Peoples within Canada have been facing many injustices in their homeland since the dawn of colonization. The most unraveling point to First Nation assimilation was the formation of the consequential Indian Act and residential schools resulting in a stir of adversity. As racist ideologies within Canada developed, upheaval against such treatment was undertaken as First Nation communities fought back against government land claims and eradication of treaty rights. In attempt to make amends, proper compensations from the injustices within residential schools have been released and the key for the future is allowing First Nation self-government. Ideals with the intent of ultimate assimilation have been standardized unto First Nation
Indigenous governance is filled with legislations and amendments that began with the Royal proclamation act of 7th October 1763. Since then, there has been a massive effort to civilize the indigenous population in order to integrate them with the non-indigenous population by the government of Canada. The main purpose of such a congress is debated till date.
She argues that women face many institutional and societal barriers. In this regard, I will give examples of the institutional and structural barriers such as “The Indian Act” which have significantly affected Indigenous women in Canada in many ways including social, economic and political. While comparing feminists and Indigenous feminists, I think that Native women are different in several ways including social, cultural, historical, political and economic; therefore, Indigenous feminism is a way of practicing the values that they have been taught and inherited from their
The Truth and Reconciliation Report has outlined 94 Calls to Action to work towards reconciliation between Canada and Indigenous people. Action 63 calls for education institutions to improve the curriculum on Indigenous people’s history and to integrate Indigenous knowledge. Currently, research has indicated that there is a lack of Indigenous content in the K to 12 education system and, if taught, it is through a Eurocentric lens. Due to this, non-Indigenous students in university have misguided and preconceived notions of Indigenous people. And as a result, stereotypes are reinforced which leads to microaggressions for Indigenous students in higher education. This is why it is important for post-secondary institution develop Indigenous educational programming that works and that research in this area is
Throughout my time in the country, my interest in the history of the people who live there grew. Additionally, during my time in Argentina, often, myself and the other volunteers were asked to reflect on different aspects of our countries. Usually while discussing Canada, the topic of the treatment of Indigenous peoples within Canada came up, especially when discussing some of the contemporary issues in Canada. As a result, my interest in the Indigenous people living in Argentina, as well as the history of the Indigenous people enhanced. Throughout my time there, I often asked locals about the treatment of Indigenous peoples but few people knew a lot about the Indigenous population, apart from where the majority of them lived.
From the first contact between Aboriginal Peoples and European immigrants to the present day, the aim of Canadian government policy has been to assimilate the Indigenous Peoples of Canada. The attempted forced abandonment of their culture was perpetrated through a variety of strategies including force, aggression and legalities. While historians and politicians may disagree about the motivations of Canadian policy, the impact has been irrefutable. In efforts to create one unified nation, successive governments failed to recognize their destructive actions. In this failure, Canada has come close to shattering the sub-nations and peoples who comprise them. This paper will review the government’s effort to absorb the Indigenous peoples’ culture, their refusal to assimilate, and will also identify potential strategies for future relations.