Friday, January 11, 2019
Introduction and Chapter 1 Jan 7th-31st
1. Reflect on your own understanding of the Indian Act. Before reading this book, what is/was your understanding of the Indian Act? Why do you think you have had this level of understanding? 2. How has your understanding and possibly biases been challenged by this first chapter? 4. What feelings did you experience when you read this chapter. Explain.
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Hello All,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Elise and I teach grade 5/6 FI at Brooke. I am looking forward to learning more about the Indian Act.
1. The first time I was introduced to the Indian Act was in the FNMI AQ course that I am taking through the board. Prior to this I had only ever heard of it briefly but I never knew what it was or how it affected First Nations People in Canada. I think that my level of understanding of the Indian Act was existent because my history and social studies classes did not discuss it, they focused on European settler history within North America and only ever spoke of positive relations with First Nations people. Also, because I am not a First Nation person, my daily life was not affected by the Indian Act.
2. Prior to reading this book I wanted to believe that the politicians of the time as well as european settlers had respect for and were friendly with First Nations people. But I was surprised to see some of the words in the Indian Act as well as some of the words of politicians from the time. Both spoke in a derogative and negative manner about First Nations People.
4. While reading the first chapter I felt indignant to learn about how women were denied access to status especially when I learned about what happened when they made the amendment to Bill-31. I felt indignant because women already face a lot of inequality but it seems that the Indian Act has cause there to be an even greater inequality in First Nations communities than in Non-First Nations communities.
Hi Elise!
DeleteThank you for commenting! I am sure that a lot of people are feeling the same way. It is shocking for people when they first learn about the Indian Act. There was nothing friendly or respectful about it.
While it might be difficult to see at first, there are ways that all Canadians' lives are affected by the Indian Act on a daily basis. As we read on, it might become more apparent.
My knowledge and understanding of the Indian Act was very limited before reading this book. After attending one of Gretchen’s workshops this year on Treaties I was faced with the reality that my knowledge on treaties and the Indian Act was far less than I would like to admit. I remember covering the Indian Act in history while in high school but unfortunately that is where it ended and little was actually retained. I think my level is lacking because before now I have made little effort to research or educate myself on the topic.
ReplyDeleteI was unaware how much control and power the federal government had/has over each tribe and how they ensured their control and power to change every aspect of First Nation’s lives and culture.
I felt sicken that so many would willingly take advantage of other human beings for their own personal gain. When reading the quote on page 20, I felt beauty in peace regarding the role of women in the Iroquois-speaking nations, which was abolished by the Indian Act and furthermore, provides connections to the current day issues first nations women face. As I begin to uncover how every aspect of First Nation’s culture was manipulated and attacked I feel they had no chance to thrive
I also had little knowledge of the Indian Act prior to both reading this book and participating in the FNMI course that has been offered through the Board and Lakehead. Like Elise, the focus of history education in my schooling centred around European settler history.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the first chapter I quickly realized how grossly miseducated I was. It was disturbing to learn how derogatory the Indian Act and politicians were towards First Nations communities and people. Taking away the rights of communities to self govern as they always had, stripping the rights of women and making calculated decisions aimed at eliminating the cultural practices and traditions were just some of the ways that colonization impacted First Nations people.
Reading the first chapter left me feeling disgusted and angered; primarily at the way that First Nations people were treated. However, I was also angry that such an important piece of our history was not just not taught to me, but deliberately omitted. The omission of the truth, and the distortion of facts, has led to a lot of misconceptions by many individuals. An entire community that deserves empathy and support to heal from years and years of trauma is often looked down on and misunderstood.
I'm glad that you pointed out how the omission of truth over all these years has lead to a distortion of facts and misconceptions. This omission of truth has lead to a great power imbalance and extreme biases that I'm so glad people are beginning to realize and are hopefully work to address.
DeleteThank you!
Before reading this book, I feel that my understanding of the Indian Act was very limited. There were a few things that I knew about because of personal research and reading I have done, but I feel like there is so much more that I didn’t know. I don’t remember ever learning about this in school. I attended grades 10 through 12 in the US, after which I also studied University in the States. I have not taken a Canadian history since grade 9. Even in the US, the perspectives shared were heavily American and European. I feel like this has definitely contributed to my limited understanding.
ReplyDeleteI feel that reading this first chapter has provided me more insight into what Indigenous people have experienced as a result of the Indian Act. This in turn furthers my own understanding and I can better empathize with the impact this still has today. I also did not understand the control the government still has today.
When I read this chapter I was saddened that something like this could happen in our own country. It angered me that people could honestly think their own was of life “better” or more “civilized” than someone else’s. I also was very frustrated that I did not hear anything about this part of our history for so long. I hope that through our work as teachers we can begin to help students and their family learn, understand and empathize, so we can help towards countering those extreme biases.
I had some sense of how the Indian Act interfered with the treaty rights established. I really only know what I know because of the work I have done for Canadian history and the NBE course. Before teaching these subjects, I had very limited understanding at all. It was not something that was mentioned in my education, even in university.
ReplyDeleteI was still surprised when reading this chapter however, at how blatant the attempt to extinguish treaty rights was. There was no hiding their intentions, and they were to get rid of "the problem". The fact that you could be enfranchised without your consent, and lose the connection to your land and home. Why would anyone voluntarily do that? The government recognized that and then found other ways to decrease the numbers. I remember learning about enfranchisement in high school history and I always thought of it as a good thing--you become a full citizen with voting rights. For First Nations, it meant giving up who you are, and your community
Good Evening Everyone,
ReplyDeleteI am Nicola Arndt and I am the VP at Rosedale. The book was a quick read packed full of information. I learned more than I ever expected to.
I was aware that the Act's election system was imposed on an effective and functioning self-governing system. I was also aware that a form of that imposed governance continues to exist today.
I was unaware and inscenced to learn that a woman marrying any other than an Indian would lose her status and that a woman marrying outside her tribe would no longer belong to her own tribe but that of her husband's.
I also struggled with the idea that forcing a people onto a reservation stripped them of their identity and way of life. Reservations created a paradigm in which a group of people could not practice their own way of life but could also not embrace another way of life thus a cycle of hopelessness began.
The chapter helped to clarify in detail any misunderstandings I might have had about how the Act was executed.
I have no recollection of this ever being covered in school. Any understanding of the circumstances was acquired through Indigenous friends along the way or through personal research later in life.
I think it is great that you are taking the time to learn the accurate history of Canada!
DeleteIt's a good point to share that you are learning from your friends who are Indigenous. It is important to include the perspectives of people who are Indigenous in your learning and the learning of the students in our schools.
Allison Kelly said:
ReplyDelete1. My own understanding of the Indian Act was fairly limited. There are some areas that I definitely knew more about than others. I attribute this knowledge to the learning that I have undertaken on my own as an adult. Sadly, I recall learning very little about Indigenous history/experiences in my own education, including university where I minored in history.
2. I'm not sure my understanding has been challenged, but it has definitely evolved and broadened. For example, I was previously aware that in the past Indigenous women lost their status when marrying non-native men. However, I was not aware of all the areas of the Indian Act that were so punitive and disempowering towards women in particular.
3. The overwhelming feeling I had when reading the first chapter of this book was disheartened and even embarrassed. We are a country that prides ourself on inclusivity and tolerance yet the Indian Act was put into place in an effort to "get rid of the Indian problem". It is also incredibly upsetting that enfranchisement was promoted as if it was something to strive towards and achieve when in reality it meant separating oneself from their family, culture, and community. Lastly, the amendments made to the Indian Act in relation to enfranchisement seemed to just further marginalize Indigenous individuals and communities as a whole. As soon as an Indigenous individual obtained a University education, joined the armed forces, practiced law, etc. they were enfranchised. For many people I imagine this could act as a deterrent to pursue these education and career paths. Seems like a lose/lose situation and a tough cycle to break.
I can connect and share your feeling of embarrassment. I recently completed by FNMI Part 1 AQ and I have certainly changed my view of Canada's relationship with indigenous people. Even today, we see these injustices continue. The pipeline protests in BC and the government's lack of a response says a lot about where Canada is in the path to reconciliation.
DeleteTracy Ronsick Said:
ReplyDeleteI think that my understanding of the Indian Act was minimal. I tried to think back (35+ years ago), and only remember going on field trips to the Iroquois Village and learning about early history and some culture. As Dr. Dion pointed out in her presentation, we were taught pre history - not much else.
2. I think my biggest bias is my ignorance. Until recently I did not realize the atrocities that occurred against Indigenous people- this is in reality the bias I have - not educating myself. I understand now how much I need to further learn :(
4. I feel ashamed and enraged that Indigenous peoples were stripped of so many things and that the Indian Act was made out to be “supportive” when it really only further segregated, and forced assimilation. In particular, women suffered most. As Joseph points out - “the Indian Act disrespected, ignored, and undermined the role of women in many ways”.
Hi Tracy! I too was very upset at the deliberate mistreatment of women. Later, the author mentions that these harmful acts have contributed greatly to the national shame of missing and murdered indigenous women. I would really like to expand my understanding of that piece.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI think the biggest change in my understanding has been the realization that the effort to stamp out First Nations culture and peoples were deliberate well thought out actions. When I first began to explore and read about indigenous people in Canada in I wanted to believe that many of the things that have happened may have been well intentioned but misguided. This book to date has sadly confirmed that there was nothing well intentioned about the way indigenous people were treated. There was nothing well intentioned about the imposition of a colonial style of government, denying women status or the creation of reserves. This fact makes me call into question some of basic beliefs about the Canadian government and whether or not I can rightfully see their actions as generally meant for the betterment of society. I would even say that it makes me skeptical about the motives of the government in general. If this is how I feel how much more skeptical would people who have had these acts committed against them feel? It makes me realize that reconciliation is going to be a long difficult road and the government and citizens may have to do things that we feel uncomfortable doing to really bring some sort of restoration.
ReplyDeleteI completely understand your realization of the government deliberately trying to stamp out First Nations. It’s shocking when you read it in black and white and you begin to realize how long this awful treatment has gone on. That it is genocide due to the well thought out nature of it. Learning about the Indigenous perspectives has really made me rethink my pride in being Canadian and what that even means.
Delete1. Reflect on your own understanding of the Indian Act. Before reading this book, what is/was your understanding of the Indian Act? Why do you think you have had this level of understanding?
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I didn't even know it existed prior to a few months ago. Reading this book really began to connect a lot of dots me in regards to things like the cycle of poverty, status rights, issues with status to begin with etc. No one ever taught me about this, ever.
2. How has your understanding and possibly biases been challenged by this first chapter?
The author does such a compelling job of explaining how a document had such inumerable effects, too many to be mentioned in a short novel that the general public will actually take the time to read. The book only highlights some of the social barriers that the government purposefully place on indigenous people.
It also made me question my own colonized mindset. For example, status is something that I have seriously misunderstood in many ways. I assumed all indigenous people had status. Reading the opening part helped me prepare for a lot of unlearning.
4. What feelings did you experience when you read this chapter. Explain.
General unease at what I was about to learn. I had recently done a lot of unlearning in regards to treaties and unceded land. That alone was unsettling and helped me seriously shift the mindset I had about "Canada". Picking up this book has helped me fill in a very long timeline of cultural genocide.
Samantha VanHooft said:
ReplyDelete1. Reflect on your understanding of the Indian Act before reading this book:
My understanding was very, very limited. I don’t recall learning much as a child about the Indigenous culture or the Indian Act...and sadly anything I have learned has been a biased conversation from members in our society.
2. How has your understanding and biases been challenged in this first chapter?
This first chapter did not just challenge my thoughts...it blew my mind. I was serious when I said I had very little understanding and so many parts of this first chapter were shocking. I could tell right away that I was going to enjoy the book because I was continually engaged. So many parts of the chapter I actually had to reread because my mind was telling me it couldn’t possibly be true. The idea of Indigenous people losing their rights to land was shocking and the constant need to try and civilize them according to the governments standards was shocking. I am saddened by all of the rights that were taken away from them and how that must have been so challenging for their culture, heritage and identities.
4. What feelings did you experience when reading this chapter?
I felt sad and outraged. I was sad that I wasn’t aware of this continuous struggle. I was outraged that our government would be so cruel to Indigenous people and take away their identities. I also felt a sense of ownership that I need to ensure I am going to educate my children to be more aware of this and understanding.
1. Reflect on your own understanding of the Indian Act. Before reading this book, what is/was your understanding of the Indian Act? Why do you think you have had this level of understanding?
ReplyDeleteSo my understanding of the Indian Act was definitely limited before reading the introduction and first chapter. I have learned more than I knew a few months ago through taking the FNMI part 1 course. Before taking the course I would have had no understanding of how poorly women are treated through this. And, through research for a project I just completed, I can tell you that it is STILL going on! And that the UN has now told Canada to fix the damn sex discrimination in the Indian Act. Trudeau has told the federal government to fix it and the federal government has claimed to need to consult First Nations about fixing sex discrimination. FORTUNATELY the UN saw straight through this and told the federal government that no consultations need to be done because the Indian Act is SEXIST and that is AGAINST human rights! Sorry, slighting worked up over this.
2. How has your understanding and possibly biases been challenged by this first chapter? Since I knew about the sex discrimination in the Indian Act, I found it interesting how even the ability to ‘vote’ for the next Chief in an area was controlled by the Indian Act. I literally shook my head when I saw that the government had the ability to ‘fire’ a Chief, but the First Nations people did not! I was annoyed by the clear colonization/Western perspective which was so obvious in this aspect of the Indian Act. I’m curious to see if I’m surprised by anything further because the governments total involvement in the lives of First Nations people has hit me in the face.
4. What feelings did you experience when you read this chapter. Explain.
Frustration, anger, shock, annoyance - all of these emotions. And I think sadness. Sad that I had so much pride in the democratic system of government and realizing that much of the racism that has clouded Canadians judgement of First Nations, Metis and Inuit people has been derived by the government in a hate campaign larger and longer running than that of the Nazis.
Hi friends!
ReplyDeleteI notice that a lot of people are commenting on the effect the Indian Act had on women. I do not disagree that women were especially discriminated against by the Indian Act and the government when they created the act.
The discrimination against women specifically wasn't just to hold the women in First Nation communities down, it was to hold the entire People down. The roles of men and women in Indigenous communities were erased and changed, and the balance, the family and community roles that were held for thousands of years were essentially thrown out the window.
If we look beyond the issue of Indian Status, we need to see that the respect with which women were held was erased with the onset of the Indian Act.
The balance of the different roles of men and women was removed with the Indian Act, and that loss of balance is still being felt today.
Hi Everyone,
ReplyDeleteI teach Grade 3/4 at Riverview and I am looking forward to participating in this book club.
Before reading the book I felt that I had a fairly good understanding of the Indian Act and the detriment it has been to the Indigenous People of Canada for generations (and will continue to be) however I found reading the book has brought a more personal aspect to it and some of the information has turned my stomach. In particular, in the introduction on page 3-4 where it says "Indians would simply die out, cease to exist, thereby absolving the government of any financial responsibility and giving clear access to the lands reserved for Indians." I guess I didn't really think of this aspect of our history as so cold and calculating and it horrifies me that anyone could view others in this way.
My greatest insight in this section was the discussion around proper terminology. I have wondered this for years, about what language I should be using. All of our classrooms at Riverview have Indigenous children in them and I always hesitate about not knowing the correct words to use. I have mostly used Native or First Nation (which seem to be outdated) but after reading the book I will begin using Indigenous. I feel it is so important that we are sensitive to using the correct terminology.