Oppression among First Nation People: Canada
Oppression among First Nations peoples in Canada
The detrimental enforcement of colonialism sparked an era of oppression that has altered, even destroyed years of cultural and spiritual traditions by creating a forced lifestyle that changed the face of First Nations peoples forever. Forced European culture resulted in the diminishing of Firsts Nations values and rights. A cycle of social, physical, and spiritual obliteration resulted from the dispossession of First Nations lands and the implementation of foreign methods of government. Poverty, poor health, and substance abuse are some of the long-term side effects that came about from this oppression. European settlers came overseas, unwelcome into First Nations territory with absolutely no respect for their traditions and ways of living. Over time children were taken away from their families and native homelands to attend residential schools; Native students were given new names and taught to speak English. Residential schools attempted to brainwash First Nations children to erase their native culture and traditions. First Nations peoples were defenseless under the power of the Europeans; their rights were ignored and their values were completely demoralized. First Nations peoples were forced down the path of violence and educational failure, which eventually led to poverty. These effects were a direct result of the disrespect and insensible attitude put forth towards First Nations peoples by the European settlers. The introduction of Residential schools to the First Nations peoples of Canada was a system that began in New France in 1620, and was known as “the experiment of education of Indian Children in residential establishments.” (Timeline: Canada’s Residential School History) These schools had a system that was based upon the idea of “kill the Indian, save the man” (Capt. Charles Pratt, founder of the Carlyle Indian School.) European authorities were trying to Europeanize the First Nation occupants of
The detrimental enforcement of colonialism sparked an era of oppression that has altered, even destroyed years of cultural and spiritual traditions by creating a forced lifestyle that changed the face of First Nations peoples forever. Forced European culture resulted in the diminishing of Firsts Nations values and rights. A cycle of social, physical, and spiritual obliteration resulted from the dispossession of First Nations lands and the implementation of foreign methods of government. Poverty, poor health, and substance abuse are some of the long-term side effects that came about from this oppression. European settlers came overseas, unwelcome into First Nations territory with absolutely no respect for their traditions and ways of living. Over time children were taken away from their families and native homelands to attend residential schools; Native students were given new names and taught to speak English. Residential schools attempted to brainwash First Nations children to erase their native culture and traditions. First Nations peoples were defenseless under the power of the Europeans; their rights were ignored and their values were completely demoralized. First Nations peoples were forced down the path of violence and educational failure, which eventually led to poverty. These effects were a direct result of the disrespect and insensible attitude put forth towards First Nations peoples by the European settlers. The introduction of Residential schools to the First Nations peoples of Canada was a system that began in New France in 1620, and was known as “the experiment of education of Indian Children in residential establishments.” (Timeline: Canada’s Residential School History) These schools had a system that was based upon the idea of “kill the Indian, save the man” (Capt. Charles Pratt, founder of the Carlyle Indian School.) European authorities were trying to Europeanize the First Nation occupants of
Cited: “History of Indian Residential Schools.” afn.ca. afn, n.d. Tues. 16 Nov. 2010. Tues. 16 Nov. 2010. “Aboriginal Issues.” socialjustice.org. social justice, n.d. 16 Nov. 2010. Robinson, Eden. “Traplines.” The Wascana ANTHOLOGY OF SHORT FICTION. 1999.