What Are The Effects Of Uniformity In Canada

Canada considers itself a cultural mosaic, home to a multitude of ethnicities and cultures that harmoniously co-exists within the society. However, the First Nations have been mistreated and taken advantage of for years. Feelings of dismay spread throughout the community because of the the intrusion of residential schools. The indigenous children were targets of forceful assimilation, isolating them away from their culture and traditions. As a result, the future generations will be unable to fully experience the First Nations culture due to the considerable loss of traditions and languages. This notion will be analyzed through the impact of the schools, the influence on the community and the effects of uniformity.

The integration of residential
The connection they shared with the culture has either been damaged or severed completely. Also, the attachment towards the languages and traditions is weakened as the child did not practice those customs during their upbringing. It is a bewildering situation where the bulk of one’s life is spent involuntarily repressing their own culture, then, returning to it several years later. Having to cope with differences present within themselves compared to their family and community can be overbearing, coupled with the feeling of isolation as well. As a result, the children develop the inability to associate with their respective tribes, as they no longer share the same ideals because of how they were raised. However, the children were not the only ones affected by the assimilation. The parents had to cope with the trauma as they “were forced to send their children to the schools, [while dealing] with the devastating effects of separation and total lack of input in the care and welfare of their children” (Manitoba Trauma). Knowing your children are being mistreated without the ability to prevent it puts an emotional strain on the parents. Likewise, they are shrouded in the feelings of hopelessness as they are compelled to give up their children to the schools. As the effects of the trauma are past down through the generations, those who did not experience the schooling still share the burden. The anguish and unstable family systems are still present, in addition to the lack of traditional teachings, language and culture. The children grew up without the knowledge of parental love which, as a result, led to “not [knowing] how to love or nurture their own children” (Joseph). The suffering and abuse the children undertook led to inability to care for others. This cycle of