The Aboriginals are an important and impactful group of individuals in Canadian history. They show how Canada has come a long way but also represent how we have a long way to go as well in ensuring the protection of Aboriginals and their culture. Aboriginals have been oppressed by the Canadian government for many years and continue to fight against restrictions in order to preserve their traditions. The mistreatment of Aboriginals is significant to Canadian history because of the mental and physical abuse they endured from Residential schools, the progressive changes from the Indian act, and the lack of basic needs being deprived on the reserves.
The creation of residential schools is significant to Canadian history due to the physical and
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The Canadian Encyclopedia states “The experience was traumatic for many Aboriginal children, who were removed from their families and subjected to harsh discipline, the devaluation of their culture and religion, and even physical and sexual abuse” which shows how the culture of aboriginal has weakened, making many Aboriginals to question their self identity as they don’t understand where they came from and the roots their families were molded from. Many First Nation children felt distressed due to the isolation and loneliness when at these school. One example being, Chanie Wenjack, a student who ran away from a residential school as he missed his family and he later died due to starvation and the cold. This was the first death the government impacted on. The Canadian Encyclopedia reports that “students were isolated and their culture disparaged, removed from their homes and parents separated from their siblings” which is important to Canadian history as it leads to the greater percentage of depression in Aboriginal communities today. Another example being, Indigenous children were told the way they lived was immoral and were forced to learn a
This paper will review the first five chapters in J.R. Miller’s book Shingwauk’s Vision: A History of Native Residential Schools. These chapters examine the events that took place before residential schools were made, as well as looking into the historical context of Canada during this time period. The first chapter of the book explains the way in which indigenous communities educated their children before contact by the European settlers. The educational systems from these indigenous communities were much different than the European educational systems, in the sense of a formal, rigid, institution.
Before the Indian Act most of the young members of the First Nations followed the traditions and beliefs of previous generations, however, this changed with the introduction of Residential schools through the Indian Act. By 1948, there were 78 schools operating with nearly 10,000 students enrolled. This education network was established by the government but was controlled by the Catholic, Anglican and Presbyterian churches. The objective of this school system was to teach young aboriginals how to integrate themselves into the “normal” Canadian life. In other words, this whole system was a major cultural genocide.
The application from the essay “ As Canadian As Possible Under the Circumstances” by Linda Hutcheon and the poem “I’m not the Indian you had in mind” by Thomas King shows in the aspects of the history, culture and tone side of things The talk of history shows relevance because it is significant in the importance of how Canadians act today. In the poem it talks about the progress they make towards reconciliation but then fall back and go backwards, “seven forward, seven back” (King). The author Thomas King portrays very important thoughts in the poem about residential schools and how that has affected how people act today. The way that that the government has acted against indigenous groups “The Oka guy, remember me? Ipperwash, Wounded Knee” (King lines 86-87) an example being the Oka Crisis
These schools gave traumatic experiences to the Aboriginal youths and haunted them for the rest of their life. the government pursued the schooling to first nations to make them “economically self-sufficient” with its underlying scheme(Miller) the government secretly lied to them and planned on lessening Aboriginal dependency on the public purse (funds raised by the government) Eve Cardinal, a former student of a residential school, still has traumatic memories that even 45 years later, Eva still cries about (Boguski) “Students were punished for just about everything,” -Eve Cardinal (Boguski) getting out of bed at night, wetting the bed, speaking their native language, etc. some students were forced to hold down their peers on a table as the nun beats her (the peer being held down) with a strap “I want to get rid of the Indian problem. I do not think as a matter of fact, that the country ought to continuously protect a class of people who are able to stand alone…
In and of itself, residential schools have damaged Indigenous culture and ways of life; they forcibly altered Indigenous lifestyles and have long-lasting adverse effects on Indigenous communities and individuals alike. Cultural genocide originates
"One of the most damaging consequences of residential schools has been that so many Survivors, their families, and whole communities have lost the connection to their own cultures, languages, and laws. on page forty-six, the author mentions, "The opportunity to learn, understand, and practise the laws of their ancestors as part of their heritage and birthright was taken away." The law significantly impacted Indigenous people, making it more difficult for them to accept reconciliation. The laws protected people from their wrongdoing and stripped away Indigenous laws. As the author stated on page forty-eight, "Decisions not to charge or prosecute abusers allowed people to escape the harmful consequences of their actions.
Canada is often regarded as multicultural country with a high human development, great education, high life expectancy and extraordinary healthcare, proving it is an over all exceptional place to live. Although this might be the case, a fraction of Canadians who are “Indians” believe their native culture is being compromised and quality of life does not reflect that of the over all population. In the Globe and Mail article , To be Indian in Canada Today… by Richard Wagamese’s the author argues the pros and cons to granting Métis and non-status Indians status under the Constitution Act. As well as, when it comes to nationalism how are Indians regarded and what role do the first nations play in the construction of Canadian culture (Wagamese,
Imagine being ripped apart from family members, culture, tradition, and labelled a savage that needs to be educated. Imagine constantly facing punishment at school for being one’s self. Unfortunately, these events were faced head on for many First Nations people living in Canada in the late 20th century. These First Nations people were the victims of an extensive school system set up by the government to eradicate Aboriginal culture across Canada and to assimilate them into what was considered a mainstream society.
According to Anzovino and Boutilier (2014), “the legislative definition of Aboriginal peoples includes all persons of “Indian” blood who were known to belong to a specific band, living on specific land, with their descendants [and] all persons intermarried with any such “Indians” who resided among them” as well as all children and persons adopted in infancy (p. 90). These persons are immensely proud of their good character, race, beliefs, values and morals. However, they are receiving abuse and a lack of promised assistance from the government. How can Canada act so neglectful and inattentive to those that live north of the suburban area? Are we not all equal and deserve the same rights, especially basic living conditions in order to survive?
In this essay, I'm going to argue to you that residential schools were harmful to indigenous people. Do you know why these schools were horrible well in Erin Hanson, article called The Residential School System, she says that the residents school system was an attempt to ‘kill the“Indian in the child”. And I agree with this, the Residential school was an attempt to take away indigenous kid's culture. Residential school survivors endured horrendous abuse from the so-called staff. Indigenous kids were forced away from their parents and most times never saw them again.
Canada, who was under the British Empire, was automatically involved in the world 's first greatest war from 1914 to 1918. It was a bloody time period not only for our fellow Canadian soldiers but for all of the men who courageously fought to make their country proud. Over 600,000 men and women bravely enlisted. Among these numbers, over 4,000 Aboriginal Peoples, between the ages of 18-45, voluntarily enlisted, served in the Canadian Expeditionary Forces, and tremendously contributed to the war effort. Many of the non-Aboriginal soldiers understood and treated Aboriginals as equals during the time they spent together in the battlefield.
The TRC’s “The History” author appeals to logos through the use quantitative findings. The use of logical evidence from the collection of testimonials made by former residential school students is an effective way to aid the persuasion of a reader. Throughout “The History”, the author describes the memories of known First Nations peoples Frederic Ernest Koe, Marlene Kayseas, Lily Bruce and many others. In addition, the author quotes Vitaline Elsie Jenner’s use of ‘kaya nakasin’ (TRC, 2015, p.38) in describing her experience with residential school. The author’s example that contains the use native language reaffirms his credibility and detailed knowledge of the
Canada is known for its amazing healthcare and it is considered one of the best in the world. In Canada, healthcare is ‘universal’ to its citizens under the Heath Care Act. However, not everyone has equal access to healthcare, Aboriginals being some of them. Aboriginals have trouble getting the access they need because of socio-economic status, geography, lack of infrastructure and staff, language or cultural barriers an more. Aboriginals on reserve face many barriers when it comes to access to healthcare, they include cost, language, distance, climate, education and more.
By doing this, colonial Canadians assumed that aboriginal cultural and spiritual beliefs were invalid in relation to European beliefs (244). The problem with ridding the First Nations Peoples of their languages, as Williston points out is to “deprive them of the sense of place that has defined them for thousands of years” (245). The private schooling system was an attack on First Nations identities, and their identity is rooted in “a respect for nature and its processes” (245).
Residential Schools was an enormous lengthening event in our history. Residential schools were to assimilate and integrate white people’s viewpoints and values to First Nations children. The schools were ran by white nuns and white priests to get rid of the “inner Indian” in the children. In residential schools, the children suffered immensely from physical, emotional, sexual and spiritual abuse. Although the many tragedies, language was a huge loss by the First Nations children.