Class Slides INDG 101 Module 2 updated final

MODULE 2: INTERGENERATIONAL COLONIAL/INSTITUTIONAL VIOLENCE AND ATTEMPTS AT ASSIMILATION

Key Topics

• Treaties

• The Indian Act and policies of Assimilation

• Doctrine of Discovery

• Terra Nullius

• Residential Schools

• Child Welfare

• Indigenous People and the Canadian Justice System

• Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

• Colonial Impacts on Indigenous Health

Important Details

Great Law of Peace

• Historical Context: Founded over 1,000 years ago by the Peacemaker and Hiawatha leading to the formation of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

• Symbolism of the Tree of Peace: A metaphor for how peace can grow if nurtured; the tall tree symbolically provides protection and comfort.

• Warriors and the Great Tree: A white pine was uprooted, weapons buried, signifying the end of conflict and the creation of peace under the Great Tree.

• Unity Among Nations: Laid the foundation for equality and unity among the Five Nations, reinforced through symbolic games like lacrosse (Deyhontsigwa’eh).

Wampum and Nation-to-Nation Relationships

• Definition: Wampum beads and belts are crucial for recording, interpreting, and enshrining significant events for Indigenous Peoples.

• Origins: Derived from Quahog clamshells, used historically as tools for storytelling and conveying history, not currency.

• Significance: Wampum symbolizes treaties, nation-to-nation relationships, and mutual respect, used both in marking dates and chronicling agreements.

Historical Context of Treaties

• Pre-contact Treaties: Indigenous nations established treaty relationships with animal nations for survival and respect.

• Colonial Treaties: Colonial treaties often benefitted European powers more than Indigenous groups, leading to exploitation and a disregard for Indigenous sovereignty.

• Misinterpretation of Treaties: Highlighted the ongoing spiritual and material inequities faced by Indigenous Peoples, whereas Europeans often ignored these covenants.

Key Issues in Child Welfare and Institutional Violence

• Sixties Scoop: Refers to the mass removal of Indigenous children from their families into non-Indigenous homes, resulting in a loss of cultural identity.

• Continued Issues: The modern-day stage of this practice termed the Millennium Scoop sees ongoing overrepresentation of Indigenous children in child welfare systems.

• Government Policies: Inequities in funding, decision-making skewed by Euro-centric values led to cultural genocide and disruption of kinship ties.

Socio-Economic Impacts

• General Observations: Indigenous populations experience significant disparities in education, health, and economic stability compared to non-Indigenous counterparts.

• Current Statistics: Growing Indigenous populations are younger than non-Indigenous populations, with many living in urban settings seeking opportunities for greater mobility and representation.

Historical Context of the Doctrine of Discovery

• Impacts: Labeling Indigenous lands as 'terra nullius' justified European claims to sovereignty under the Doctrine of Discovery, denying Indigenous Peoples' existence and governance.

• Legal Framework: The historical precedents set by Papal Bulls enabled the conquest and colonization of non-Christian lands, which continues to impact Indigenous legal status.

Justice System Challenges

• Overrepresentation in Prisons: Indigenous Peoples face higher incarceration rates, a continuing cycle of colonialism reflecting systemic discrimination within Canada's justice framework.

• Historical Context: Policies from colonization, such as the Indian Act and residential schools contributed to a long history of violence and alienation from their rights to land and identity.

Case Studies

• Residential Schools: Examine specific instances of residential schools in Canada, their impacts on Indigenous communities, and personal testimonies from survivors.

• Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW): Analyze case studies highlighting the systemic issues contributing to this ongoing crisis and the responses from communities and governments.

• Child Welfare Cases: Investigate specific cases from the Sixties Scoop and Millennium Scoop to illustrate the loss of identity and culture among Indigenous children.

Conclusion

Understanding these components is essential for recognizing the depth of intergenerational trauma and institutional violence faced by Indigenous Peoples, advocating for meaningful reconciliation