ANTHR 150 LECTURE 15

Lecture Title: Talking about Race in a ‘Colour-Blind’ Nation by Sandra Garvie-Lok.

Official System: Defined in the Canadian Charter (1982).
Indigenous Peoples: Recognized as distinct groups due to historical significance as Canada’s First Peoples.
- Terminology: 'Indian' is not used in Canada, whereas it is accepted in the USA.
- Key Indigenous Representations:
  - Assembly of First Nations (AFN): Advocacy body for First Nations.
  - Inuit: Communities in Northern Canada, formally represented.
  - Métis: Represented by the Métis National Council (MNC).

Pre-colonial Canada: Diverse languages and social systems without a shared identity, which was imposed by European colonizers.

Categorization: Helped enforce the perception of Indigenous peoples as an 'other.'
Erasure Strategy: Simplified diversity to better manage colonial interests.

Goals: Exploitation through resource extraction; focused more on profit than settlement initially.
Alliance Formation: Resistance led to alliances with Indigenous groups; treaties established during this time.
Colonial Power Struggles: French and English sought dominance through military and economic means.

1635: British victory in the French War leads to French subordination.
1783: Britain recognizes the USA's independence; increased European settlers in Canada.
Patriarchal European Attitudes: Women were often treated as property, enforcing gender binaries.
Racial Formation: Scholarly achievements were framed to uphold colonial narratives against Indigenous peoples.

Racial Formation: Refers to how ruling powers define race and its membership, often institutionalized via laws and social portrayals.

Ethnic Origins: "What were the ethnic or cultural origins of this person's ancestors?" includes diverse identities.
Indigenous Identity: Questions about identification as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit are crucial in recognizing official status.
Census Categories: Include various classifications such as White, Black, South Asian, etc.

First Nations: Various languages and cultures with formal representation.
Inuit: Associated with Inuit Nunangat; distinct communities with representation from Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK).
Métis: Community born from mixed ancestry with unique language and cultural heritage, represented by the MNC.

Pre-colonial Life: Varied ways of life disrupted by European categorization.
Trade and Disease: Diseases introduced through colonization affected Indigenous populations.

Control Over Indigenous Life: Government-controlled sphere over finances and administration of treaty benefits.
Identity Definitions: Based on male ancestry; marriages outside the race could lead to loss of status.

Policies Enforced: Aimed to assimilate First Nations peoples through legislative tools like the Indian Act.
Impact on Cultural Practices: Traditional governance systems replaced and gatherings prohibited.

Rights and Privileges: Voting rights for First Nations denied until 1960; reforms initiated but with restrictions.
Residential School System: Designed to assimilate Indigenous children; profound negative psychological and cultural impacts observed.

Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (1991): Aimed to assess relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, leading to influential recommendations.
Indian Residential Schools Settlement: Acknowledged abuses and established compensation programs, shaping dialogues on healing and restoration.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2007): Documented survivor experiences and proposed calls to action for reparations and acknowledgment of Indigenous histories.

Unmarked Graves: Findings in 2021 drew attention to fatalities related to residential schools, renewing calls for justice.

Early Arrival: Africans present during colonial times, often facing severe discrimination and systemic inequality.
Abolition of Slavery: Laws against slavery enacted in 1833 but did not ensure equal rights or treatment.

19th Century Immigration: Preference for British Isles; restrictions with a gradual shift toward acceptance of other Europeans toward the late century.
Legislative Changes: Segregation and exclusion of non-European groups characterized the immigration landscape.

Ongoing Conversations: The racial formation in Canada continues to evolve, addressing historical injustices, institutional biases, and recognizing the contributions and existence of diverse racial identities.