Social Work and Aboriginal Peoples

Question 1

aboriginal peoples

Answer 1

used in Canada to refer collectively to First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples. A synonym of Native, Aboriginal is a general term; it is preferable to refer to specific bands and nations. Aboriginal people or persons are individuals who have native origins.

Today the term is used to define a group of indigenous people registered as such according to the Indian Act

Question 2

colonialism

Answer 2

Forced political domination of one nation over another that is institutionalized in political administration, control of all economic relations, and a systematic attempt to transform the culture of the subject nation.

Question 3

Land-cession treaties

Answer 3

treaties enacted between 1670 and 1923 between various Aboriginal peoples and the British colonial (and later the Canadian) government. The treaties gave control of land occupied by Aboriginals to the government and formed the reserve system.

Question 4

Indian act of 1876

Answer 4

Legislation that provides the Government of Canada with the legal framework of authority over Indians and lands reserved for Indians. The main purpose of the act was to control and regulate Indian lives. An “Indian” is a person who is registered or entitled to be registered to the Indian Register (a centralized record), also referred to as a “status indian”

Question 5

indian agent

Answer 5

A government agent who administered the Indian act, interfering in virtually every aspect of Native life. Indian Agents had extraordinary administrative and discretionary powers, and were meant to displace traditional Aboriginal leaders so as to institute a new way of living consistent with the assimilationist intentions of the government.

Question 6

scrip system

Answer 6

In the early twentieth century, the Metis in western Canada could seek to become status Indians by aligning themselves certain treaty areas, or they could “take scrip”. The scrip system entitles the bearer of a scrip certificate to either land or money; in exchange the person who took scrip gave up all further claims to land.

Question 7

disk list system

Answer 7

A government-sponsored identity program for Inuit– as bureaucrats would not formally acknowledge the Inuktitut names for individuals, the disk list system assigned a numbered disk to each Inuk in order to identify them.

Question 8

residential school system

Answer 8

A system of boarding schools that was us`ed to remove Aboriginal children from their homes and communities and to restrict their culture and language. The purpose was to fulfill the assimilation policies of the federal government. Large numbers of children in residential schools experienced emotional, physical, and sexual abuse.

Question 9

assimilationist policies

Answer 9

Policies of the federal government towards Aboriginals people that attempted to deny and destroy Aboriginal life, culture, and society in favour of integrating Canada’s First Nations into the mainstream. These policies were pursued vigorous and viciously in the residential schools

Question 10

sixties scoop

Answer 10

the massive removal of Aboriginal children form their families and communities and their placement in non-Aboriginal foster and adoptive homes, which took place primarily in the 1960s

Question 11

Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP)

Answer 11

A commission called by the federal government in 1991 to examine the status of Aboriginal peoples in Canada. The final report of 1996 brought together six years of research and public consultation on aboriginal issues. This is the most extensive research to date and provides the basis for significant strides forward. among the many issues discussed, the Report examines the need for Aboriginal people to heal from the consequences of domination, displacement, and assimilation and calls for recognition of aboriginal nations as political entities.

Question 12

Aboriginal approach to practice

Answer 12

a practice approach that is consistent with four key principles:

(1) the recognition of a distinct Aboriginal world view
(2) the development of Aboriginal consciousness regarding the impact of colonialism
(3) an emphasis on the importance of cultural knowledge and traditions
(4) the use of the concept of aboriginal empowernment

Question 13

aboriginal world view

Answer 13

while aboriginal peoples do not have one common philosophy or world view, there is a distinct difference when compared to the world view in Western culture. For example, the circle captured in the Medicine Wheel illustrates the notion of balance prevalent in aboriginal societies, in contrast to the typically linear models of cause and effect common in some Western Societies.

Question 14

aboriginal empowerment

Answer 14

In the context of social work, emphasizes the participation of community members in promoting self-determination and social change.

Question 15

holistic approach to healing

Answer 15

the holistic approach involves examining the whole of the person and their situation before acting or pursuing treatment. A common concept in Aboriginal cultures, the holistic approach is now being applied to western-based health care, addressing the social, cultural, mental, and spiritual aspects of the person

Question 16

healing lodges

Answer 16

Lodges that provide residential treatment or both treatment and lodging for people who become overwhelmed by social, emotional, and spiritual problems. Based upon an Aboriginal approach to health and spirituality. The Nechi Institute and Poundmaker’s Lodge in Alberta are examples, providing healing and lodging for people dealing with addictions

Question 17

aboriginal self-government

Answer 17

this concept expresses the desire of aboriginal peoples to control their destiny. It can refer to local government such as on-reserve, as well as sovereignty in relation to the Canadian state within it our outside it, depending on one’s view. It precludes accountability to the provincial and federal governments in favour of accountability and responsibility to the Aboriginal peoples by their own Aboriginal leaders.

Question 18

what bearing does the history of the relationship between aboriginal peoples and the people of Canada have on the social welfare of aboriginal peoples?

Answer 18

look at textbook

Question 19

Why were the residential schools established?

Answer 19

. By restricting Aboriginal culture and language, the schools sought to fulfill the assimilationist policies of the federal government.

• the children were dinned their language, spiritual rituals, and more importantly, access to their families.
• Aboriginal children were regularly subjected to emotional and physical abuse, and many were also victims of sexual abuse.
• in 2008, the federal government formally apologized to Aboriginal peoples for the residential school system.

Question 20

What were the six major goals of public policy in relation to aboriginal peoples, as identified by Gibbins and Ponting?

Answer 20

Protect, Assimilation, Christianization, Land Surrender, Government Authority

Question 21

What are four principles of an Aboriginal approach to practice?

Answer 21

(1) the recognition of a distinct Aboriginal world view
(2) the development of Aboriginal consciousness regarding the impact of colonialism
(3) an emphasis on the importance of cultural knowledge and traditions
(4) the use of the concept of aboriginal empowernment

Question 22

Why should one be careful in describing a uniform Aboriginal approach to social work practice?

Answer 22

two factors make it difficult to formulate a comprehensive Aboriginal approach to practice.

(1) The aboriginal peoples of Canada are exceedingly diverse, with many languages, cultures, and traditions, and Aboriginal peoples have a variety of healing and helping philosophies and techniques
(2) a legacy of mistrust and animosity exists towards those in the helping professions, including social work.

An aboriginal approach to social work needs to be flexible enough to incorporate a variety of healing methods and must void repeating the mistakes of the past. It is imperative that the approach be based on the wants of Aboriginal peoples and give power to Aboriginal communities.

Question 23

What were the six major goals of public policy in relation to aboriginal peoples, as identified by Gibbins and Ponting?: Protection

Answer 23

humanitarian goals –> sought to protect Aboriginal people until they could be assimilated into white society. They saw the reservation system as a way to isolate Aboriginal people.

Question 24

What were the six major goals of public policy in relation to aboriginal peoples, as identified by Gibbins and Ponting?: Assimilation

Answer 24

The central pillar of federal government policy was assimilation– that is, to prepare Aboriginal peoples for complete absorption into Canadian society. Some would argue that the goal appeared to be annihilation rather than simply assimilation.

Question 25

What were the six major goals of public policy in relation to aboriginal peoples, as identified by Gibbins and Ponting?: Christianization

Answer 25

To the colonial government, civilizing the Aboriginal peoples was synonymous with their Christianization. Aboriginal ceremonies and cultural practices were officially discouraged and outlawed –> residential schools.

Question 26

What were the six major goals of public policy in relation to aboriginal peoples, as identified by Gibbins and Ponting?: Land Surrender

Answer 26

The desire by the government to obtain land held by Aboriginal peoples for the settlement of Aboriginal people was a primary goal. Reserves were a way to move them into agriculturally based communities, both to assimilate them and to free vast tracts of land for settlement.

Question 27

What were the six major goals of public policy in relation to aboriginal peoples, as identified by Gibbins and Ponting?: Government Authority

Answer 27

A major goal of the Indian Act was to give sweeping power and authority to the colonial administrators

Question 28

Inuit Peoples

Answer 28

are Aboriginal people of Canada “that have traditionally used and occupied and currently use and occupy, the lands and waters” ranging ftp the upon and Northwest Territories to norther Quebec and Labrador.

Question 29

Metis Peoples

Answer 29

• often been neglected in the consideration of Aboriginal peoples of Canada, an injustice that obscures their role in the westward expansion of the cons try. Unlike others the Metis cannot assert that they had inhabited this continent as a distinct people for thousands of years.
  * the term is most often used to refer to descendants of the historic Metis–those who’s origin can be traced by to the Red River in the early 1800s.

Question 30

First Nations

Answer 30

culturally, linguistically, and geographically diverse groups of people ( i.e. Cree, Dene, Mi’kmaq).

Question 31

Status Indians

Answer 31

• are persons of Aboriginal ancestry who are registered as Indians according to the Indian Act.

Question 32

Non-Status Indians

Answer 32

have lost the right to be , registered as Indians as defined by the Act, by identify with the Indian community culturally and / or linguistically.

Question 33

4 elements of holistic health: spiritual health

Answer 33

which can mean many things depending on individual’s approach to spirituality, and may include participating in ceremonies, gaining traditional knowledge, and exploring his or her spiritual heritage.

Question 34

4 elements of holistic health: Mental health

Answer 34

which includes education, knowledge of aboriginal history and cultural contributions, and activities that promote self-confidence.

Question 35

4 elements of holistic health: Physical health

Answer 35

including nutrition, sports and recreation, and cultural activities

Question 36

4 elements of holistic health: Emotional health

Answer 36

gained through access to sharing circles, counsellors, and elders

Question 37

Core recommendations of Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples

Answer 37

• gives 440 recommendations to rebalancing the political and economic power between Aboriginal nations and other Canadian governments. The Report points to five key themes

  * Aboriginal nations have to reconstituted
  * A process must be established for the assumption of powers by Aboriginal nations
  * There must be a reallocation of lands and resources
  * Aboriginal people need education and crucial skills for governance and economic self-reliance
  * There mud the economic development if the poverty and despondency of lives defined by unemployment and welfare are to change.

Question 38

The Reserve System

Answer 38

• Aboriginals peoples were shunted aside onto small parcels of land largely devoid of any economic potention
  * housing provided was the poorest quality, and health care and education were until quite recently, left to the church.

Question 39

Assimilationist Policies

Answer 39

• social control aspects of the Indian Act places First Nations firmly in the position of a colonized people
  * Indians could acquire a Canadian citizenship only by relinquishing their ties to their community; that is, by giving up their culture and traditions and any rights to land.
  
  • in 1960, the government finally gave non-enfranshised Aboriginals the right to vote in federal elections. For the first time, citizenship for Aboriginal peoples was no conditional upon their assimilation into mainstream Canadian society.

Question 40

Racist Legislation.

Answer 40

• The Indian Act singles out a segment of society–largely based on races

  * removes much of their land and property from commercial mainstream
  * gives the minister of Indian and Northern Affairs and other government officials a degree of discretion the tis not only incisive but frequently offensive.

  • many want it abolished because it violates normative standards of quality(often non- Aboriginal)
  • others want First Nations peoples to be able to make their own decisions when it comes to self-governing policies–>they say the act is inhibiting freedom.

Question 41

Relationship with Europeans

Answer 41

• started friend–> seen as partners in exploration and trade.
  
  • as French and English struggled to control North America, Aboriginals were seen as military alliance.
  • as European peoples exerted dominance over territories, they were no longer seen as allies but only in the way of total imperial domination.

Question 42

The Colonial Legacy

Answer 42

• Colonialism–> forced political domination of one nation over another that is institutionalized in political administration, control of all economic relationships, and a systematic attempt to transform the culture of the subject nation.
  * as a result to this day living conditions and income levels for the Aboriginal communities and those living off reserves continue to be lower than for the rest of Canada.

        * high rates of poverty
        * incarcerated in correctional centres and penitentiaries more than other groups
        * twice as likely to be imprisoned in the first place 
        * more likely to receive a full prison sentence than non-Aborginal people
        * rate of suicide and suicide attempts is at least 3to 4 times higher
  
     * poor social conditions have caused many Aboriginal peoples to leave their own communities for urban centres, particular within the last thirty years.

Question 43

Aboriginal Child Welfare Agencies

Answer 43

• in 1981 the federal government entered into agreements with provinces, insisting the child and family services for Aboriginal peplos adhere to provincial standard and regulations. Under this legislative mandate, many Aboriginal welfare agencies came to resemble mainstream service providers.
  
  • it was quickly recognized the damage caused by this approach, and the federal government has made efforts to fund Aborginal child welfare agencies.
  • most aboriginal child care agencies have adopted placement protocols that specific the placement prefers (on page 227)
    • however these seem to be ignored as recently many aboriginal orphans are being placed with no aboriginal families.