Lesson 3.4

Lesson 2—Responses of Indigenous Peoples

Lesson 2—Responses of Indigenous Peoples

How are Indigenous peoples responding?

Get Focused

Recent events in Canada and globally demonstrate that individuals and groups have responded to the issue about taking responsibility. From a global citizen perspective, there are many who believe the responsibility to respond to local or national issues is not just in the hands of local citizens. Many Canadians have rallied with others globally to donate money for cyclone survivors in Myanmar and to politically pressure the Myanmar government to open up its country to international aid. Protesters against the 2008 Beijing Olympics have shown their support alongside Tibetans who have spoken out for Tibet independence.

The legacies and injustices of historical globalization are also issues that Canadians and others feel a responsibility to respond to globally.

In Canada many Aboriginal groups are not satisfied with the contemporary situation that the legacies of historical globalization have created. They have taken action to change the role in which they are dependent on the decisions of Canadian government to correct the social, cultural, economic, and political consequences of historical globalization.

Many Canadians often view the conflict between the Kanesatake First Nation and local officials and residents of the town of Oka, Québec, as an example of Aboriginal activism. For many outside Oka, the perception was that it was a conflict over land and a proposed golf course. In the perspective of the Kanesatake First Nation, it was more than standing in the way of the development of a golf course. It was a response to past injustices created by imperialism.

Multimedia

CBC Archives has a collection of videos available online. Go to the website and watch Not on our land! (April 1, 1989)

Watch this 29 minute video: https://www.nfb.ca/playlists/indigenous-cinema-classroom-ages-1518/playback/#2

or this full length doc: 

https://www.nfb.ca/playlists/indigenous-cinema-classroom-ages-1518/playback/#14

Internet Research
The conflict in Oka did not just erupt suddenly in 1989. Go to the Kanesatake website and gather Kanesatake perspectives in “Our Lands” on the relationship to the land in conflict.

Read
Read about the Oka crisis in “Historical Imperialism and Civil Strife” on pages 190 to 192 in Perspectives on Globalization.

Assignment
Please complete the Kanesatake Actions Assignment Assignment now.

Lesson 2 Explore 1

Explore 1

What are the responses of Indigenous peoples to addressing lingering consequences?

Examine three responses of Aboriginal peoples in Canada and Indigenous peoples around the world to the legacies of historical globalization.

Read

Read “Addressing Effects of Imperialist Policies” on pages 171 to 174 in Perspectives on Globalization.

Read “Indigenous Self-Government” on pages 176 and 177 in Perspectives on Globalization.

Internet

Research the story behind the creation of the Assembly of First Nations in Canada.

Activity

Complete this assignment for your own knowledge(non-graded).

Explore 2

Explore 2

How effective are these responses?

Debate continues about the end results of the conflict in Oka. As you examine the different responses of Indigenous peoples, reflect on the effectiveness of these responses in relationship to Indigenous quality of life, identities, and citizenship. Your research here will contribute to the Portfolio activity at the end of Lesson 4.

Activity

Complete this assignment here for your own knowledge.

Lesson 3

Lesson 3—Responses of Governments

How are governments responding?

Get Focused

Have current governments acknowledged the need to respond to Indigenous issues resulting from historical globalization? Examine the programs and responses of governments.

Governmental responses may address Aboriginal issues in education, health, and employment.

In Alberta the provincial government has supported many responses. The current Alberta social studies program includes Aboriginal perspectives in the issues and history of the province and country. Educational programs at many levels are established to respond to the diverse cultural and linguistic concerns of First Nations groups in Alberta. Amiskwaciy Academy in Edmonton is a school that integrates Aboriginal culture, language, and traditions. Aboriginal languages such as Blackfoot and Cree are accredited senior high language courses. In addition to Aboriginal perspectives in social studies, Aboriginal studies courses are options available in secondary schools.

Aboriginal issues in health are rooted in the past policies of assimilation. Past governments and non-Aboriginal peoples often dismissed traditional foods, medicines, and ways of healing. Health Canada has responded to the impacts of imposing Western perspectives on food and health by issuing Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide – First Nations, Inuit and Métis. The guide supports healthy eating within Aboriginal ways of life.

Explore 1 and 2

Explore 1

What are the governmental responses to addressing the lingering consequences?

Adapting programs and publications to Aboriginal needs is one type of governmental response. There are also expectations for more fundamental and lasting responses to issues that continue to linger after past imperialist practices and historical globalization. Indigenous groups have called for restitution, redress, and reconciliation from diverse levels of government. Examine the responses of governments in Aboriginal issues.

Read

Read about the residential school experiences and effects in “Contemporary Social Issues and Historical Imperialism” on pages 181 to 186 in Perspectives on Globalization. Examine the federal government’s response to the abuses associated with residential schools.

Internet Research

Go to the Indian and Northern Affairs website and read the Government of Canada’s Statement of Reconciliation on the past actions regarding residential schools.

Find an online copy of “Aboriginal Horizontal Framework” created by the Government of Canada in consultation with Aboriginal groups. Examine the areas the government has identified as objectives for responding to Aboriginal issues.

Explore 2

How effective are these responses?

How successful are government responses to Aboriginal or Indigenous issues? Examine whether the quality of life, identities, or citizenship of Aboriginal peoples has improved with government support.

Internet

Go to the Statistics Canada website to gather information about Aboriginal peoples. What is the overall status on the health, education, language, and socio-economics of Aboriginal peoples?

Use keywords such as Aboriginal peoples, First Nations, Inuit, Métis, life expectancy, well-being, income, and workforce to help you search for the statistics and results you need.

How well has the government worked on issues related to Aboriginal peoples in Canada? Go to the Office of the Auditor General of Canada website to see reports on Aboriginal issues. Do one of the following:

• Click on “Reports and Publications” and choose “Reports to Parliament.” Click on “All Reports by Topic” and then choose “Aboriginal Affairs.”
  
  
• Conduct a search through “Media Centre,” “News Releases” on the latest reports on Aboriginal Affairs.

How well has the government worked on issues related to Aboriginal peoples in Canada? Go to the Office of the Auditor General of Canada website to see reports on Aboriginal issues. Do one of the following:

• Click on “Reports and Publications” and choose “Reports to Parliament.” Click on “All Reports by Topic” and then choose “Aboriginal Affairs.”
  
  
• Conduct a search through “Media Centre,” “News Releases” on the latest reports on Aboriginal Affairs.

Lesson 4

Lesson 4—Responses of Non-Governmental Organizations

How are NGOs responding?

Get Focused

Responses to past injustices do not come only from the political activism of an Indigenous group or governments. Individuals and non-governmental organizations, locally and around the world, have taken action to enact change to some of the legacies that historical globalization and imperialism have placed on Indigenous peoples. The responses may be local in nature, but they are examples of citizens acting to find solutions. non-governmental organization (NGO): an organization that is created by private groups or individuals who do not have representation or participation in any government In Alberta Daniel McKennitt created a response that attempts to resolve an Aboriginal health issue and deal with the decades of assimilation and marginalization that have created barriers to resolving the issue. According to the National Aboriginal Health Organization, in 2005 approximately 60% of the First Nations population in Canada reported being smokers. Of primary concern is the growing trend of smokers in Aboriginal youth. Many of the current stop-smoking programs are Western in perspectives and approaches. Tobacco has a different significance in Aboriginal societies. There is a ceremonial use and a personal use for tobacco. Daniel McKennitt presented an approach that aligned with Aboriginal understandings and traditions for a more effective health strategy to reduce smoking among Aboriginal youth.

Read

Click here to read more.

Explore 1 and 2

Explore 1

What are the non-governmental responses to addressing the lingering consequences?

Section Summary and Glossary

Section 2 Summary

Many Indigenous global issues have origins in historical globalization. The ways of life, identities, and citizenship of Indigenous peoples continue to be challenged by the legacies of past imperialist practices and the pursuit of globalization. Individuals, groups, and governments now recognize that to create a society that includes Indigenous peoples as valued members of society with recognized rights and identities, it is necessary to address these legacies now.

There are varying degrees in the responses and the successes of these responses. Your challenge to take action should now reflect your response to the following question: To what extent should contemporary society respond to the legacies of historical globalization?

Section Glossary

conflict diamond or blood diamond: a diamond sold to finance terrorism or conflicts such as civil war

legally: according to what is permitted by a set of laws

lingering consequence or legacy: a result that continues to impact people generations later

morally: according to a set of principles on what is believed to be the right thing to do

non-governmental organization: an organization that is created by private groups or individuals who do not have representation or participation in any government

reconciliation: an act that will correct an injustice in hopes of restoring peace and stability

redress: to set right or make up for

restitution: an action to correct a wrongful act

Assignments

At this point, you should complete the Challenge: Assuming Responsibility for Past Injustices Assignment Assignment.