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Apr 3, 2024

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Instructions Pick 2 posts to respond to. If you respond to all 3, I'll mark your best responses. Student #1 When the land is taken away, and when the people are taken from the land, I feel the land experiences a death. The ones who steal it will not treat it the same, not love it as the generations before did. For someone to be taken away from a land that holds generations in their heart, the tether is stretched too thin, and the land loses the connection, even if the individual never does. I feel this as a death of sorts. I think Mahmoud Darwish said it best, "A person can only be born in one place. However, he may die several times elsewhere: in the exiles and prisons, and in a homeland transformed by the occupation and oppression into a nightmare." (Darwish, 2004) Darwish was Palestinian, but the quote applies to all peoples pushed out of their land. Their identity does not cease to exist, The peoples are still connected to their land, no matter how far away the peoples move. It is, however, an act of resilience and defiance. A cultural, national identity does not cease to exist when the land is taken away. The peoples of that land will be homesick, torn, a scar in the heart for a land they no longer have; the people will have an identity that some will net recognize, but no matter the opposition, the identity lives on in the hearts and minds of generations passed, and generations to come. What ways does the colonization of Indigenous Peoples continue today? The effects of colonization is still felt by the Indigenous community today. From what I've seen in Canada the three years I've lived here, there seems to be a 'separate but equal' situation that is not equal at all. The Indigenous communities still do not receive enough supports from the government, nothing is done about missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW), and the only 'reconciliation' I've seen is a land acknowledgement bandaid. The disregard for Indigenous health, happiness, safety, and freedom is how colonization continues. Supports are minimal in Indigenous communities, and cities attempt to assimilate and separate Indigenous people from their culture. There is still cultural alienation, non-Indigenous settlers in Canada do not have a solid grasp on the culture, especially older generations. The few Indigenous territories "granted" to the communities are still being developed on, and Indigenous cries for change are not being heard. The prices in the northwest are higher than ever, and I feel it is a tactic to sway the communities to move south; and in doing such, lose the cultural practices only their homeland can grant. This continues the cycle of cultural genocide and intergenerational trauma. A land can be lost in more ways than one. What can the government do today to ensure that treatment Indigenous peoples improves and that history is not repeated? I hope, someday, that the Canadian government will surrender all non-settled territories back to their rightful, lawful, and cultural keepers. Ensure history is not repeated by doing more than a land acknowledgement; restore friendly relations by recognizing the Indigenous communities relation to their rightful land, and carry through by restoring their land. I know Canada as it is today will not do so. I have hope for the future, but that is not now. To start the process of improving the treatment of Indigenous peoples; the government should start by improving roads to and from communities, offering public services to rural communities- without settling on those lands, subsidizing grocery costs, creating non-invasive industries in rural areas, and include the true, gruesome history of what settlers have done to Indigenous communities in mandatory public education.

Land acknowledgements should include what settlers privilege is, how non-indigenous canadians benefit from it, and how immigrants benefit from it. Land acknowledgements should include local communities to donate to, local Indigenous-run conservation missions, Indigenous activism groups, and local Indigenous non-profits. To improve the treatment of these communities, the public must also agree to work to improve the treatment of Indigenous peoples. Here, education is key. The best land acknowledgement I've heard was from an Indigenous filipino, recognizing and experience similar pain in colonial past, but still recognizing their settler privilege in Canada. To improve the treatment, the non-indigenous public must know that the land is not theirs, and that to truly ensure the history of colonization and genocide occuring from 1534 up to today will not be repeated is by actively and consciously acknowledging that we are guests on Indigenous lands, and protesting the treatment of Indigenous peoples by the Canadian government- as they are more willing to listen to us than the Indigenous peoples of this land. We must not take over the discussion, but use our privileges to their advantage. My response to Student #1 Even if the colonizers treat the land they are stealing good or even better, they have no right to do so. The people of the land can decide and choose whatever they want to do with their land. It is true that even if the colonizer forced the people to leave their land, they still would be connected to their land or even more!

Student # 2 1. The land inhabited for generations shapes one's identity. What happens when that land is taken away, or, equally, when people are taken away from it? When the land that has been inhabited for generations is taken away, it has profound effects on people’s identity. Displacement from ancestral lands disrupts cultural traditions and weakens a sense of belonging. Similarly, when people are forcibly removed from their land, they lose both their physical space and cultural roots, as well as spiritual ties. For Indigenous people, the land is linked to their cultural identity. It represents not only a physical space but also a repository of traditions, knowledge, and spirituality. When the land is taken away, there is a disruption in their cultural practices and rituals, resulting in a loss of cultural identity. Another consequence of forcibly removing people from their land is economic. Communities may lose access to resources vital for their livelihoods. This can lead to economic hardships and poverty, worsening the challenges faced by those who have been displaced. Apart from economic consequences, there is also the psychological Impact. When people are displaced, it means they have lost something vital to their well-being, which often results in trauma and depression that will manifest in mental health crises. In addition, people who are forcibly removed from their ancestral land will experience disruption of their social cohesion. People tend to function better with people they share common experiences with. 2. In what ways does the colonization of Indigenous Peoples continue today? The legacy of colonization continues to impact Indigenous Peoples in various ways today, including systemic racism, land dispossession, and health disparities. There are reports that discrimination in institutions like law enforcement, education, and healthcare continues to persist. Colonial harm has disproportionately affected Indigenous women since first contact, perpetuating their ongoing victimization, criminalization, and over- incarceration in settler-colonial states, including Canada, New Zealand, and Australia (Monchalin, 2010; Monture-Angus, 1999a, 1999b).

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Also, Indigenous lands are still being taken for resource extraction, infrastructure, and development. This disrupts traditional practices and cultural connections. Many news reports indicate that ongoing legal battles over land rights, treaties, and sovereignty persist. Indigenous communities continue to fight for recognition and restitution, although Canadians are now largely embracing land acknowledgment before starting a program or signs are being displayed at locations to indicate that the land upon which the building is located is unceded land belonging to the Indigenous people. Reports also indicate that Indigenous populations face higher rates of health issues due to historical trauma, inadequate healthcare, and environmental degradation. Indigenous people face significant health disparities, including earlier mortality and more frequent severe illnesses compared to non-Indigenous settlers. These inequities persist across time and different colonized regions, despite Indigenous resistance. While these health issues are well-known, explaining and addressing them comprehensively has proven challenging. 3. What can the government do today to ensure that the treatment of Indigenous peoples improves and that history is not repeated? The Government of Canada has taken several steps to address the historical injustices faced by Indigenous people and prevent their repetition, and if these efforts are sustained, the government can contribute to healing, reconciliation, and a more just future for Indigenous people. In many cases, the government has acknowledged historical injustices and issued formal apologies. However, there should be substantial investment in education, healthcare, and housing for Indigenous communities to address the inequalities that persist. The government has allocated approximately $320 million to enhance support for Indigenous-led initiatives. This includes locating burial sites, commemorating lost lives, and addressing intergenerational trauma caused by residential schools. Another effort of the government is around tackling systemic racism in the Justice system. These efforts aim to reduce the overrepresentation of Indigenous individuals in the justice system. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, in force since June 2021, mandates Canada to align federal laws with the Declaration, develop an action plan in collaboration with Indigenous peoples, and report progress to Parliament. This plan aims to address injustices, promote respect and mutual understanding, and ensure accountability. Additionally, Bill C-22 proposes amendments to the Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to create fairer and more effective responses to criminal conduct, including repealing mandatory minimum penalties linked to the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples, etc. in the criminal justice system. My response to student#2:

I like what you mentioned that Displacement indicates that a person has lost something important to their well-being, which frequently causes trauma and depression that can lead to mental health crises. Social cohesiveness will also be disrupted for those taken against their will from their ancestral lands. It is proven that Individuals who share similar experiences tend to work better together. The efforts reflect a commitment to justice, recognition, and reconciliation as Canada seeks to create a more equitable and inclusive legal system for all its citizens. Student # 3 Question 1 The loss of ancestral land either through colonization or being taken away from it can be a devastating experience for a people. It is akin to a loss of identity, as much of what indigenous people identify as ‘cultural’, such as burial grounds of ancestors, sacred sites etc. are located on such lands (Hemenway, 2022). Not even resettlement in a new land, as is the case with the indigenous people of what is now called Canada, can bring a sense of normalcy or relief from the kind of burden of loss it foists on the victims. This is because the displaced people will have no connection with the new land they are now living on now, regardless of the level of infrastructural development there or the number of years spent there on. This is made more difficult because some of the new settlements were given derogatory names such as ‘reserves’, a term similarly used for where animals are encamped. Therefore, the Indigenous people will always view the settlers in their homeland as usurpers. This will always result in protracted struggles to reclaim the stolen land, a struggle that has lasted for centuries in many instances. Question 2 The colonization of Indigenous peoples continues today in the form of system enforced assimilation. The system has been designed in such a way that it discreetly results in the subjugation of the Indigenous people resulting in higher rates of incarceration, unemployment, poverty, and violence among them. This continuous colonization can also be seen in the many broken treaties, which had they been fulfilled and adhered to, could have led to the emancipation of the Indigenous peoples, resulting in a better life and peoplehood for them. The continuous dispossession of the Indigenous peoples’ land and resources is another prime example of continued colonization. The Indigenous people continue to face various problems which are off shoots of their colonization, and these include prejudice, discrimination, and systemic racism (Brant, 2020). While the government of what is now called Canada today may pretend that some form of atonement and repatriation has been done, it is clear however, that until full acknowledgement of ills done, and treatment as equal partners in nationhood is instituted, the colonization process will always be view as ongoing. Question 3

For treatment of the Indigenous peoples to improve, government on its part need to come clean and tell the whole truth of the colonization process, admits its errors in unequivocal terms, and commit to the treatment of the Indigenous peoples as equal partners in nation development. The previous treaties made must be revisited and redrawn in such a way a to lead to the correction of the errors of the past. Their must be compensation for damages caused and more importantly, the recognition of the Indigenous peoples right to self-rule and independent existence. The disparities currently seen in the distribution of social wealth and amenities which is skewed towards white-dominated communities must be addressed. Finally, recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission have t be implemented part of which include the formation of a national council on reconciliation and addressing the question of residential school acts and the many missing persons cases from reserve locations. My response to student#3: It is not necessary to redraw the treaties. Instead, there would be a better solution, like compensation, as you said. I agree with your solution to let them rule themself independently, as the Canadian system is already federal, and they can have their own system in their living area and represent the territory or province if they already have the majority.

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