4.3.2 Aboriginal Experiences with Liberalism
Completion requirements
4.3.2 Aboriginal Perspectives and Liberalism
© Morningstar by Alex Janvier, Courtesy Canadian Museum of Civilization.
As you have learned in your Social Studies education, the worldview of many Aboriginal peoples of the world is collectivist in nature.
People from many cultures, including Canadian First Nations and Inuit peoples, see themselves as individuals, but they also view themselves as just one component of their communities and the natural world. This worldview includes the a belief in collective responsibility and cooperation. Ownership of private property is historically incomprehensible as the land is not seen as something that can be "owned" but rather as something that is to be shared and respected. Membership in a larger whole provides Aboriginal people with a sense of identity and meaning. In many ways, Aboriginal collective thought is at odds with the principles of liberalism.
Since contact, liberalism has been imposed on Aboriginal people. When the first colonists arrived in North America, they imposed their political and economic systems on Aboriginal people. Land was parceled out and purchased by settlers, with reservation land provided for First Nations peoples.
Residential schools were established with the idea that imposing a liberal values would allow First Nations, Metis and Inuit people greater opportunities in Canada. This was not the case.
Even with the adoption of modern liberalism in Canada during the 20th Century, it took until 1960 for Aboriginals to be granted suffrage, or the right to vote. Regardless, the last residential school did not close until 1996. For most of Canada's history, citizenship was based on the degree to which Indigenous people adopted liberal beliefs and property. The recent Truth and Reconciliation Commission has helped unveil the illiberal and last impact of imposing an ideology on entire groups of people, families and individuals. A challenge for Canadian society is how to reconcile the actions of the past with a positive and restorative future based on trust and respect.
The image to the left, by Dene artist Alex Janvier from Cold Lake, is from a 19-metre diameter ceiling dome in the Canadian Museum of Civilization. The painting reflects common Aboriginal values and philosophies: the circular motif represents the circle of life with its spiritual, physical, human, and natural aspects.
©ADLC
People from many cultures, including Canadian First Nations and Inuit peoples, see themselves as individuals, but they also view themselves as just one component of their communities and the natural world. This worldview includes the a belief in collective responsibility and cooperation. Ownership of private property is historically incomprehensible as the land is not seen as something that can be "owned" but rather as something that is to be shared and respected. Membership in a larger whole provides Aboriginal people with a sense of identity and meaning. In many ways, Aboriginal collective thought is at odds with the principles of liberalism.
Since contact, liberalism has been imposed on Aboriginal people. When the first colonists arrived in North America, they imposed their political and economic systems on Aboriginal people. Land was parceled out and purchased by settlers, with reservation land provided for First Nations peoples.
Residential schools were established with the idea that imposing a liberal values would allow First Nations, Metis and Inuit people greater opportunities in Canada. This was not the case.
Even with the adoption of modern liberalism in Canada during the 20th Century, it took until 1960 for Aboriginals to be granted suffrage, or the right to vote. Regardless, the last residential school did not close until 1996. For most of Canada's history, citizenship was based on the degree to which Indigenous people adopted liberal beliefs and property. The recent Truth and Reconciliation Commission has helped unveil the illiberal and last impact of imposing an ideology on entire groups of people, families and individuals. A challenge for Canadian society is how to reconcile the actions of the past with a positive and restorative future based on trust and respect.
The image to the left, by Dene artist Alex Janvier from Cold Lake, is from a 19-metre diameter ceiling dome in the Canadian Museum of Civilization. The painting reflects common Aboriginal values and philosophies: the circular motif represents the circle of life with its spiritual, physical, human, and natural aspects.
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Harold Cardinal & 20th Century Fight For Indigenous Rights & Culture", Metis master, You-tube
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"We are the Haudenosaunee", TreeTV, You-tube
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"No political parties: How Nunavut's consensus government works", CBC News, You-tube
© ADLC
Read "Aboriginal Collective Thought" on page 294 to 296 in your textbook, of your text Perspectives on Ideology.
As you read, consider the question:
As you read, consider the question:
How does placing group needs above individual needs present challenges to modern liberal society?
As you read, take notes on the following:
- What ideas are presented about the rejection of liberalism?
- What values and beliefs lie behind Aboriginal collective thought?
- To what extent is Aboriginal resistance to liberalism justified?