English Context Key Terminology

NBE3U1

ally

member of dominant group who stands against social injustice directed at the opressed group. “agents of social change“

assimilation

gradual process, person of one culture adopts the practices of another culture, becoming a memebr of that culture

colonialism

system where one nation is in control over another nation or region, involves the subjugation of 1+ group of people by another. Colnoizers have viewed the colonized as exotic and racially inferior, believe their own culture was the norm

colonization

when a foreign power invades and dominates a territory or land base inhabited by Indigenous peoples, impose their own social, cultural, religious, economic, and political + systemic values

cultural appreciation

cultural exchange done in a respectful, appropiate and honourable way + with consent and participation of cultures involved

cultural appropiation

using/borrowing elements without the permission of that culture, creates notion that elements are exotic, culture is not a costume

decolonization

ongoing process of recognizing and actively deconstructing colonial power, involves challenging the colonizing practices. e.g. give centrality of a non-dominant and oppressed culture

discrimination

actions based on prejudice, e.g.: excluding, ignoring, slurs, violence, etc.

equity

everyone having access to fair treatment, what people need. identity should not get in the way of recieving proper equity

environmental stewardship

interactions with the environment that balances protection, preservation, and conservation efforts with other human activities

First Nations

term used to refer to indigenous inhabitants of Canada (except inuit), used to replace the term “Indian”

cultural genocide

systematic destruction of culture, identity, and way of life of and ethnic, national religious or cultural group, without necessarily the physical extermination of that group. (languages, history, traditions, religions, etc. are erased)

the indian act

federal law, regulating indians and reserves

inuit

not covered by the indian act, original inhabitants of northern Canada mainly Nunavut, Northwest terrotories, and Northern Quebec and Labrador

intersectionality

the way a person’s various social identities overlap, and how it defines the opression and discrimination that the individual will face

Métis

mixed first nations and european ancestry

Non-Status

Individuals who may be members of a First Nation, but aren’t entitled to inclusion on the Indian Register pursuant to the Indian Act, often a choice because the indian act has both positive and negative aspects

Oppression

the exercise of authority or power in an unjust power (unjust treatment/control)

Post-Colonialism

Study on the effects of colonialism on cultures and societies. How European nations conquered and controlled other cultures and how these groups have responded and resisted their control.

Powwow

Spiritual and social gathering among First Nations, dances, rituals, ceremonies, etc. Were outlawed by the federal gov. from late 1800s to 1950s.

Prejudice

attitudes or beliefs of unfair bias towards a group or person that is not based on fact or reason

Reconciliation

The act of restoring peaceful relations, used in Canada to refer to the process of restoring and renewing relationships between First Nation, Metis, Inuit, and the rest of Canada

Revolution and Rebellion

a call to action to protect and defend elements of cultural importance (e.g. language, arts, artifacts, etc.)

Segregation

part of systemic discrimination, involves legally and unfairly dividing members of society, forcing them to live apart from each other.

Self-governance

a system in which a community or nation has the right to govern itself and to control the administratoin of its land, people, and resources

Sixties Scoop

the removal of the first nations, metis and inuit children from their homes in the 1960s, without consent and were put in foster care systems and majority were put in non-indigenous families. victims are referred to as the stolen generation

Social Identity

a person’s sense of who they are based on membership in specific social groups

Social Justice

idea that there should be a fair and just relationship between the individual and society a society that gives everyone equal access to resources and opportunites, no matter what race, sexuality, etc. they are

Socially Dominant Group

The social group with the greatest access to power, this group determines the social standards or “norms”

Sovereignity

Independent contorl or authority over a particular area/territory

Stereotype

To believe unfairly that all people or things that share a certain characteristic are exactly the same; an oversimiplified idea or image of what a specific social group is like

Treaty

formal agreement made between the government of Canada and Indigenous groups that defines ongoing rights and obligations on all sides

Turtle Island

Refers to the continent of North America, turtle is considered an icon of life, speaks to various spiritual and cultural beliefs

Two-Spirited

Indigenous identity that possess both masculine and feminine spirit, also used to identify gender, spiritual, and sexual identites outside of western binaries

Worldview

A particular philosphy or life or conception about the world. Indigenous: cylical view, interconnected and equal value. Western: hierarchial, pyramid shape