How recent immigrants to Canada may have a better understanding of Canada’s First Nations
In honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day, we’ve compiled a list of resources that will help you get started studying Canada’s First Nations and Indigenous communities.
National Indigenous Peoples Day is observed across Canada on June 21, and it is a day dedicated to honouring Indigenous people and their customs. Even though immigrants frequently arrive in Canada with limited knowledge of Indigenous people, a recent survey conducted by the Environics Institute reveals that the vast majority of immigrants want to assist Indigenous people in some way, and one way that they can do this is by increasing their knowledge of Indigenous people.
It is important to highlight National Indigenous Peoples Day since there are many negative tales about Indigenous people have been told in the media since European white settlers acquired control of what we now call North America. As a result, detrimental stereotypes have been created as a result of these stories. These stories may have an impact not just on those who were born in Canada, but also on immigrants.
The Canadian government is actively attempting to make amends with Indigenous people for the cruel treatment they received in the country’s history. The attempts were undertaken by the government of Canada to eradicate Indigenous culture resulted in the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which provided recommendations on how the government of Canada might better get along with Indigenous people.
According to a poll conducted by the Environics Institute, the majority of immigrants are in favour of reconciliation, despite the fact that they are not very familiar with Indigenous people.
However, the knowledge gap demonstrates that those who are new to Canada still do not know enough about Indigenous people. In this post, we will provide a brief history of how Europeans came to dwell in Canada. If you wish to study more about this topic, we will also provide connections to further sources of knowledge.
Discover more about the processes that individuals use to enter Canada.
What distinguishes one phrase from another
When we speak about Indigenous people in Canada, we are referring to the very first people to settle in what is now known as the United States and Canada. In Canada alone, there are more than 1.6 million people who identify as being of Indigenous descent. Therefore, it is essential to keep in mind that being Indigenous does not refer to a solitary experience but rather to a collection of multiple experiences, each of which is distinctive to a particular indigenous nation, group, community, family, and individual.
The Canadian government recognizes three primary groups of Indigenous people: First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. These are the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. Every community has its own unique history, way of life, and racial and cultural roots. The people who belong to Canada’s First Countries are dispersed across the country in more than 630 communities, where they speak more than 50 distinct languages and nations. The term “Inuit” refers to the way of life practised by people who make their homes in arctic regions. The term “Métis” refers to the various distinct cultures that have developed among individuals who are the offspring of Native Americans and Europeans.
It is often believed that Christopher Columbus, a European explorer who believed he had reached India in 1492 but hadn’t really done so, used the term “Indian” to refer to the people who lived there at the time. The term is still used in Canadian legislation despite the fact that it is derogatory, particularly when it is used to characterize Indigenous people by persons who are not Indigenous themselves.
A condensed account of the history of settlement in Canada
Turtle Island was the name given to what is now known as North America by many of the tribes who originally inhabited the area. The people who originally inhabited this land had their own system of government, as well as their own set of rules and customs. They had distinct beliefs about how to use resources and take care of the land, which went against what European settlers sought for Canada. [Case in point:]
The Indian Act was enacted in the year 1867, the same year that Canada was officially recognized as a nation. This law, which is still in effect, has been labelled as a violation of human rights by several international organizations, including Amnesty International, the United Nations, and the Canadian Human Rights Commission, among others.
The government of Canada passed regulations known as the Indian Act with the intention of eradicating the Indigenous way of life and culture. It granted Canada the authority to compel First Nation communities to form a distinct form of governance that they refer to as “bands.” The government of Canada has the authority to decide who can become a member of a band. In spite of the fact that certain First Nation leadership roles used to be handed down from generation to generation within families, many bands today have an elected council as well as an elected chief. There is still a system of leadership that is passed down via families, and some bands have a combination of elected and hereditary leaders. Some of the First Nations also have agreements that grant them self-government, which gives them the authority to adopt laws, generate economic opportunities, and pay for programs using money collected through taxes.
In addition, the Indian Act mandated that every kid from an indigenous community must attend a residential school, and it made it illegal for these children to attend any other type of school. Therefore, Indigenous children were separated from their homes and subjected to horrendous forms of maltreatment. Even though the final residential school was shut down in 1996, the damage and suffering it created continue to affect indigenous people in today’s world. In 2021, the corpses of 215 children were discovered in the area of an old residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia. The findings sparked a widespread discussion across the country of Canada on how to put things back on the right track.
Indigenous peoples continue to face challenges such as colonization, racism, and the appropriation of their cultural practices. Indigenous people are still being harmed by the laws that are now in effect, despite the fact that the government is concerned about telling the truth and working toward reconciliation.
Indigenous people are putting forth a lot of effort to revive their traditions and languages and to instill a sense of pride in their children regarding their heritage. Non-Indigenous individuals are invited to participate in the various festivals and activities that are organized and run by Indigenous people, as well as the cultural and knowledge-sharing initiatives that are being carried out.
Through the use of the internet, Native American art, music, and educational resources are now accessible to anybody, regardless of location. This list is in no way comprehensive, but it should serve as a good jumping-off point for you.
The Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Television Network (APTN) is a cable television network that features films, television programs, and news broadcasts that have been produced by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples. Additionally, you may stream their shows to your computer and view them there.
There is a good chance that there is a Friendship Centre in the city in which you now reside in Canada. This centre provides Indigenous people with services that are appropriate for their culture and organizes activities that bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
Native American songs, dancing, regalia, cuisine, and crafts can be seen and heard during cultural gatherings called powwows. Powwows are held all around the United States. If you attend a powwow with proper manners in mind, you will undoubtedly have an experience that you will never forget. Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day!