An Analysis Of Sitting Bull's 'Heritage Minute'

Heritage Minutes are a staple of Canadian media, in which one minute reenactments of major events and/or people of Canadian history are displayed to the general public. Notably, Sitting Bull, a Lakota leader who is known for resisting against the United States government, has been portrayed in a Heritage Minute short film. Arguably, nostalgia functions to give an appearance of national unity, as well as attempting to give an appearance of reconciliation for the wrongdoings of the past and promote Canadian patriotism.
The beginning of the clip showcases U.S Army General Alfred Terry and Commissioner James MacLeod of Canada riding their horses while Terry inquiries about the lack of men that Canada has employed to deal with Sitting Bull. However,
James MacLeod is representative of Canada, while General Terry represents the United States. In the first few seconds, the common stereotype of the United States as being quick to violence is apparent with Canada being depicted as a peace keeper, which is exemplified when Terry expresses anxiety over Sitting Bull holding a war dance the night before in which MacLeod rebuffs this by stating the peacefulness of the Lakota people. Through this conversation, Canada advocates for the Lakota people while the United States are fearful and would want Indigenous people to be more cooperative. In reality, Canada was and is not better than the United States in terms of working with Indigenous peoples; Even though, James MacLeod and James Walsh were considered friends of Sitting Bull, Canadian Officials often dealt harshly with Indigenous people, such as residential schools being opened and treaties being formed. Additionally, the main conflict is between Lakota people and the American government, with Canada mediating the two sides. Therefore, Canada attempts to distance itself from atrocities committed in the past against First Nations peoples by presenting America’s conflict with First Nations and gives an appearance of reconciliation by acknowledging their part in the oppression of the Lakota people. In essence, Heritage Minutes are used to maintain a collective history, in which Canada is absolved from blame. In the voiceover by MacLeod, he states “I didn't know then they'd be starved out of Canada...and Sitting Bull would be murdered” (0:59), henceforth there is no direct mention of Canada’s involvement in the forced starvation of the Lakota people and Sitting Bull’s death. Also, the clip presents Canada as a place where Indigenous people choose to stay and where Canada gives them freedom to live in