Introduction to Indigenous Peoples in Canada Flashcards
1
Q
Learning Objectives
A
- Understand why a course about Indigenous Justice is needed
- Articulate the idea behind the title of your textbook, The Colonial
Problem - Know the correct terminology to use when referring to Canada’s Indigenous peoples
- Be aware of the myths and stereotypes related to Indigenous people in Canada and understand why they are harmful
- Understand why Indigenous people cannot “just get over it”
2
Q
Why Do We Need a Course About Indigenous Justice?
A
- Historically education is delivered in a way that validates colonialism
- The roots of injustice lie in history
- Since the 1960s the “Indigenous problem” has been a part of academic discourse
- A Canadian survey of 1st-year college and university students who graduated from the Canadian public education system found:
- 67% had never discussed Indigenous issues and concerns in their classrooms * 87% were dissatisfied with the Indigenous studies curriculum
- A study of Ontario universities’ faculties of Education found:
- “Overwhelming evidence of ongoing and deeply embedded resistance to engaging with Aboriginal Education by students in Teacher Education programs.”
3
Q
Indigenous (In)justice
A
- Education is a critical starting point for rectifying injustice * Taiaiake Alfred: “[education] creates awareness of the
inconsistencies of the world as it is and as it should be.” - This course examines injustice through an Indigenous lens
- Accordingly, course content may include uncomfortable realities
- Monchalin: “If material is presented through a colonial lens, it will simply reinforce the very perspective that plays a large part in contributing to the various injustices Indigenous people face.”
4
Q
Colonialism
A
- A structured relationship of domination and subordination
- The dominant and subordinate groups are defined along ethic and/or racial
lines - The relationship is established and maintained to serve the interests of all or some of the dominant group
- The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it (and its Indigenous people) economically
5
Q
Colonialism
Arthur Manuel (Secwepemc)
A
Dispossession
Dependency
` Oppression
6
Q
Department of Justice
A
- DOJ’s stats for Indigenous peoples 2014
- Indigenous people are overrepresented in the CJS as both victims
and offenders - 28% (aged 15+) report being victimized over the past 12 months compared to 18% of non-Indigenous Canadians
- Indigenous women are victimized at a rate 2xs that of Indigenous men and 3xs that of non-Indigenous women
- Indigenous people made up 4.9% of Canada’s population and account for 24% of homicide victims in 2017
7
Q
Department of Justice Continued
A
- Indigenous adults represent about 3% of Canada’s population * They account for 26% of total admissions to custody
- In provincial and territorial corrections Indigenous women make up 38% of admissions, Indigenous men make up 26%
- Indigenous women have the highest rates of victimization and incarceration of any group in Canada
- In federal admissions Indigenous women make up 31% of admissions, Indigenous men make up 23%
- Discrepancies between Indigenous and non-Indigenous incarceration rates are more pronounced in the Western provinces
8
Q
The Indian Problem
A
“I want to get rid of the Indian problem. …Our object is to continue until there is not a single Indian in Canada that has not been absorbed into the body politic, and there is no Indian question, and no Indian department…”
-Duncan Campbell Scott
Deputy Superintendent of Indian Affairs - 1920
9
Q
The Colonial Problem
A
- Cover art designed by Anishinaabe artist Jackie Traverse
- Interpretation of section 35 of the Indian Act which allows the govt. to use Indigenous land for public purposes
- Depicts the Queen as a child, taking back land previously given to First Nations
- At her side, accomplices the Governor General and the Canadian Prime Minister strip the land of its wealth
- Water, gold, wood, & diamonds
10
Q
The Evolution of Terminology
A
- Indian → Native →→ Aboriginal →→ Indigenous 1800s → 1990s →→ 2000s →→→→ 2022
- The terminology (other than Indigenous) was ascribed to Indigenous peoples by their colonizers
- Indigenous: from the Latin word indigena meaning “sprung from the land”
- The terms Indigenous refers to 3 distinct peoples: First Nations, Inuit, & Métis
- Symbolism
- First Nations: Eagle Feather
- Métis: Infinity
- Inuit: Inuksuk
- The term First Nations includes both status and non-status Indians
- Status Indians are registered with the federal government
11
Q
The Evolution of Terminology
A
- Terminology used can be tied to the time period under investigation or language enshrined in law and used by Canadian institutions
- The Indian Act uses the term Indian, but the term is not acceptable to most people
- The term Aboriginal is used by Statistics Canada and within the Constitution Act
(1982), but this term is also not preferred - I capitalize the various terms used to refer to Indigenous people
- These terms are proper nouns when referring to specific groups
- Proper nouns are capitalized (e.g. you would always capitalize the term Canadian)
12
Q
The Evolution of Terminology
A
- What term should you use?
- First Nations or Indigenous are usually preferred
- Are you referring to all Indigenous peoples or a specific group (First Nations, Inuit, & Métis)?
- Be specific if you can, there are 634 First Nations in Canada
- E.g.Haida,Kwikwetlem,Skwah
- Avoid using Eskimo, Indian, and Native which are sometimes considered pejorative terms
- Keep in mind:
- In the United Sates the preferred term is Native American ̄_(ツ)_/ ̄
- Indigenous peoples sometimes refer to themselves as Native or Indian
- Sometimes to reclaim terminology as an act of resistance, and sometimes out of habit * Confused yet? Don’t worry…..
13
Q
Suicide in Canada’s First Nations
A
- Suicide and self-inflicted injuries are the leading causes of death for First Nations youth and adults up to 44 years of age (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2016)
- Dislocation theory: those who are marginalized and “dislocated” will be more prone to states of despair and serious afflictions such as addiction
- Dislocation includes the suppression of one culture by a dominating one (colonialism)
- Suicidal contagion: occurs on some Indigenous reserves because of the closeness of the residents and their shared social predicaments
14
Q
Examining Myths
A
- MYTH: Indigenous people have unfair advantages under the Indian Act
- The Indian Act only applies to “status Indians” (not unregistered First Nations, Inuit, or Métis peoples)
- There are more disadvantages than advantages
- Many restrictions under the Indian Act have violated human rights
- We will discuss specific infringements in upcoming classes
15
Q
Examining Myths
A
- MYTH: First Nations have ample reserve lands and resources
- In 2016 339,595 First Nation peoples lived on reserve
- Reserves make up 0.2% of Canada’s land mass and house 20% of Canada’s First Nations people
