Midterm 1 Flashcards
This deck covers the topics of Indigenous stereotypes, pre-contact and contact of the First Nation peoples of Canada and the Europeans.
The pitiful “Indian”
Once defeated by the Euro-Americans, Indigenous people were regarded as pitiful and non-threatening to the still expanding Euro-centric North America.
Explain how children are given a false image of Indigenous peoples. How does this affect society?
Cartoons and media, books, and even teachers/parents/adults have romanticized and present the image that Indigenous people are war-lover, feather wearing people of the past, that are now only characters of make believe games that children may play as (cowboys vs. Indians). Not only does it make modern Indigenous people invisible, but by giving the child-like aspect of play, it gives Indigenous people a “child-like” stereotype, giving reasoning to the paternalistic control of First Nation peoples by the government,
Where do stereotypes come from? (6)
school, peers, general ignorance, media, social scientists, personal experiences.
Imperialist nostalgia
A mood of nostalgia that makes racial domination appear innocent and pure; people mourning the passing or transformation of what they have caused to be transformed. Colonizers, and other agents of forced change romanticize a previous way of life that they have been actively involved in changing. Fostered the notion that indigenous people are passive victims (do nothing in response to the changes made).
The “Noble Savage”
One of the first stereotypes of Indigenous people in the Americas. Classical native chief of the tribe stereotype - living in harmony with nature, content and peaceful, childlike, generous and selfless, innocent, inability to lie, physically healthy, disdain from luxury, morally courageous, untutored wisdom. Reflected in the “Ten Indian Commandments”.
The “Ten Indian Commandments”
An example of how the “Noble Savage” stereotype was prevalent in American society. Dates back to poster from 1989. Crying Indian campaign has the same effect (1971).
The “Lone Indian”
The “Noble Savage” that separated from his tribe/nation. Known to be the white man’s sidekick, a faithful companion, no specific cultural traits (very blank slant, generic). Was the ‘ideal Indian’ for white men - a little slower, dumber, limited vocab, silent, and obeyed without question.
The “Bloodthirsty Savage”
Despite the fact that the Europeans were doing the same thing, practices such as warfare, torture, head “hunting”, scalping, and slave raiding added to the image of violent “Indians”. First Nations were seen as standing in the way of progress and civilization when they defended themselves and their lands. Feared by whites hence, desire to convert to Christianity, or be exterminated. Gave reason to genocide/ethnocide. Caused natives to be seen as villains while whites were seen as heroes, leading to white superiority complex.
The Sand Creek Massacre
Result of ‘bloodthirsty Indian’ stereotype. November 29 1864, 675-man force of Colorado U.S. Volunteer Cavalry under the command of John Chivington attacked and destroyed a village of Cheyenne and Arapaho people in southeastern Colorado Territory. 130 natives were killed, approximately 100 were women and children.
Edward Sheriff Curtis
In 1895, Curtis tried to photographically document the “History of the disappearing American Indian” during the height of the US government’s effort to assimilate the Native American population. Curtis attempted to make his images fit the notion he had of “Indianess” by removing modern clothing and other signs of contemporary life from his photos. Though his motives no malicious, his images added to native stereotype types (the “Stoic Indian”)
When did First Nations gain the right to vote in federal elections?
1960.
What were the European’s initial primary interest in exploiting Canada’s west coast?
Otter pelts.
Which three groups does the Constitution Act recognize? What year did the Act get formed?
Indians, Inuit, and Métis. 1867.
Who owns the Indian Reserves in Canada?
The federal government.
A “band”
A legal and administrative unit
The federal department currently responsible for administering the Indian Act is?
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Define “Métis”. Where and when did these communities begin to emerge?
The result of European and Aboriginal relations. They have their own distinct language and culture. The first Métis communities emerged in around Great Lakes in the 1690s.
Which three Aboriginal languages have the greatest chance of survival?
Cree, Oijbwa, and Inuktitut.
Who is the current AFN (Assembly of First Nations) Chief?
Perry Bellegarde.
Which Act defined the term ‘Aboriginal’? And when did it form?
The Constitution Act, 1867.
“The concept Europeans used to justify to themselves the right to take First Nation’s land.”
‘Terra Nullius’. Latin for “nobody’s land”.
The Arctic
Harshest area to live. The extremes of the Arctic allowed for efficient hunting since groups would go inland in ice-free months to fish and hunt caribou, and use the coldness to preserve food for the winter. These areas were not exploited until about 5000 to 6000 years ago. Due to harsh conditions, groups in this area were quite small, consisting of 6-10 families of 5-6 people, which allowed for flexibility in leadership. By the 1900s, spiritually, Arctic culture was lost.
Subarctic
Historically, had the lowest population density with small bands of people. Not many herds of animals, and was not good for farming. Lots of fishing in the summer, and caribou hunting in the fall. Pemmican was necessary here. Birch bark canoes were used transportation. Groups were small, typically family members, so there was not much political power, and no chiefs. Lots of self-reliance.
NW Coast
Biggest resource was the sea – provided salmon, eulachon, halibut, shellfish, crabs, seaweed, whale, and seals! Lots of edible fruits around, too. Used cedar for housing and totem poles. Relatively large and stable group. The basic social unit was the extended family who shared a common ancestor. Because of the hierarchy, wealth was important. 90% of this population was decimated due to diseases brought by Europeans.
What were the four social groups of the hierarchical society found in the NW coast?
- Elites/nobles, 2. Respected members, 3. Lower class, 4. Slaves
What were the diseases that the Europeans brought to the Aboriginals?
Smallpox. Measles. Influenza. Tuberculosis.
What was the one disease that the Aboriginals transferred to the Europeans?
Syphilis.
The Plateau
Game was relatively small, though lots of salmon was harvested, and root and bulb vegetables such as bitterroot, onions, wild carrots, and parsnips were an important source of food. Average groups consisted of a nuclear family and their closest relatives, with some chiefs and leaders in the population. Had good trade relations with other Indigenous groups.
Plains
Was not an easy environment. Was very dry, with plants soaking up all/any water. Very small family groups that lived in pit houses during the winter and tipis during the summer. Before contact, there were 600 million buffalo that provided many resources.
When were horses introduced to the Americas? To what groups was the horse introduced to?
The Spanish brought the horses to the Americas, and during the Pueblo Rebellion of 1680, many Spanish were forced out of New Mexico, leaving many horses behind. But it wasn’t til the END OF THE 1700S that the horses reached the ROCKIES AND THE PLAINS.
