This next section looks at information about Indian residential schools and the words and deeds of Sir John A. MacDonald and Duncan Campbell Scott, Superintendant of Indian Affairs. Many people see Sir John A. MacDonald as Canada's founding father, and that he deserves an important place of honor. Many Indigenous people do not share this feeling. As you read this section you will find that he was the architect of residential schools and shares a huge responsibility in where, how and why they were run.
1. How have your feelings about Canada’s first Prime Minister changed since reading these sections?
Do you think removing his name from buildings contribute to reconciliation or erase history?
2. Compare the success of non-Indigenous farmers in Canada with the hardships and
oppression faced by the Indigenous people who were put onto reserves and forced to farm.
How has this changed your thinking about First Nations and their relationships with
Non-Indigenous communities?
3. What do you think the goals were for the government’s assimilation of “Indians”?
4. To what extent are current social issues faced by some Indigenous people a result of residential
schools?
5. What feelings arose in you when you were reading these sections.
How will you use your new information to guide your instruction in your classroom?
I was very shocked to read the John A. Macdonald excerpts. I took a screen shot awhile back of the above passage and sent it to my husband. He couldn't believe it either. It's not like you learn those quotes in school. Duncan Campbell Scott was no better: "The Government will in time reach the end of its responsibility as the Indians progress into civilization and finally disappear as a separate and distinct people"
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI too am shocked at the attitudes that come across so clearly from the quotations, but unfortunately I don't think this was uncommon for the time period. I am sure this is how that majority of people felt so it was easy to push through these laws and ideas. As much as I understand the desire to take Sir John A's name out of the public eye as a way to denounce the treatment of the indigenous, but if we are to do that would there be any of our historical figures left. I think this just gives us as educators the opportunity to highlight the good and bad of the icons of Canadian history and understanding the perspectives of different people is all part of examining historical content. Learning about our dark past is the best way to prevent it from being repeated.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of assimilation - the author indicates that it is "illogical" that the government tries to accomplish assimilation by isolating the target population on reserves. It actually seems that it was more of a way to hide or eliminate then assimilate.
My feelings have changed from one of pride and honour to one of sadness and disgust since reading that John A. MacDonald views and plans to assimilate the “Indian” people. I think having his name on buildings demonstrates an honour, so yes I think removing them will contribute to reconciliation. I think more needs to be done to unravel the truth and history and the part he played in it.
ReplyDeleteFarming was another example of First Nations set up to fail. It is no wonder the relationship between First Nations and other non-indigenous communities were negative. Instead of creating a system where everyone can work together successfully, they were in competition with each other with harsh regulations imposed on the First Nation farmers.
I think the goal of the government was to ultimately wipe out the entire race.
I don’t feel knowledgeable regarding all of the current social issues faced by some indigenous people but the issues I do know I think can be tied to residential schools; such as is stated on page 63, “high poverty rates, the large number of Indigenous children in foster care, the disproportionate number of incarcerated Indigenous people, and the hundreds of missing and murdered women.”
1. How have your feelings about Canada’s first Prime Minister changed since reading these sections?
ReplyDeleteDo you think removing his name from buildings contribute to reconciliation or erase history?
I would say I am surprised that someone can be called a prime minister and yet commit some of the acts he did. It is very disappointing and it bothers me that so many things are named after him, despite his actions.
3. What do you think the goals were for the government’s assimilation of “Indians”?
I think the goal of the government was to eliminate the whole population. Basically, if they were going to exist with “us”, they had to share the same beliefs as “us”, behave like “us” but not share any of the same rights, freedoms or liberties as “us”.
Some of the things that make me believe this is when the Indian land could be expropriated by any private group or government. They stated that a reserve near a town is a hindrance to development, which means they would prefer to not see any evidence of the Indian way of life.
Another point that proves this, which totally outraged me, was the “renaming individuals with European names”. The Europeans found the names difficult to pronounce and felt uncomfortable, so they forced an entire population to change their names to adapt to the Europeans way of life.
5. What feelings arose in you when you were reading these sections.
I was in shock. Plain and simple. I kept pausing to re-read the section and shared a lot of it with my husband. The number of acts of “assimilation” were outrageous and how our country felt it was ok is so upsetting. I’m glad I’m reading this book because I was very blinded by all of these issues.
Learning about what MacDonald said and the actions he took, was shocking to be and I’m still completely disgusted by him. I don’t think we want to erase him from history as his actions created many of the treaties along with the ness of residential schools. A more complete history of him needs to be fully and completely understood by Canadians.
ReplyDeleteThe section on farming was shocking to me too. It’s like trying to get blood from a stone, you need the right tools to be able to make this happen. In the end it was another bid for land and another disgrace! I don’t blame First Nations peoples for being wary of non-Indigenous communities. How do you build trust?
The government was clearly working towards a melting pot rather than the multicultural country we are touted as.
When I learned more about the impact of residential schools on communities, it made me more empathetic to current issues our First Nations communities are handling. Of course there are mental health issues and those with drug and alcohol, after generations of abuse can we expect any less? When learning more about the abuse, the more I am amazed by the resiliency of First Nations peoples.
I am trying to keep all my new learning in mind when speaking to my class or through reading books with them. It can be difficult with grade 1, but it is also important to be honest with them. More often than not, my class can see and understand the unfairness, which is reassuring.