AP HREQ Forum #1

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York University *

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2030

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Philosophy

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Feb 20, 2024

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AP HREQ FORUM #1 Question : In Melanie Laing's article, what are some of the criticisms she makes in relation to the TRC (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) in relation to IRS (Indian Residential Schools) & what other ways can you imagine to redress the residential school experiences and for whom ? (IRSTRC and How to ameliorate situation (better way to address) 1. Up to 1 point for discussing the forum’s question in some depth 2. Up to 1 point for specifically quoting and analyzing lines from the week’s readings 3. Up to 1 point for your perspective on the question 4. Up to 1point for asking a question & discussing other students’ comments in some depth, encouraging further discussion with constructive criticism and thoughtful questioning. 5. ½ point for submitting one of the above in the first half of the discussion week. 6. ½ point for originality and sophistication. Canada has always been regarded as a nation that holds human rights in high regards. This statement is only partially true as the Indigenous community is not included within this statement as racism and inequalities still exist towards the community. Even the Indian Residential school system (IRS) has negative stigma attached despite being one of the darkest moments in Canadian history. Even the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has questionable motifs and actions despite its statement of “establishing new relationships” with the indigenous community. The TRC faces many criticisms in response to the IRC such as the lack of meeting the needs of the survivors, creating justice and setting “institutional reform” in society. To add on, there is an enormous amount of racism still present within society. In order to understand the criticism, a clear understanding of the TRC is necessary. The general goals are to acknowledge the crimes committed and to ensure that such crimes won’t happen again towards a certain community. Other goals also include helping survivors meet their needs. The residential schools were an assimilation technique introduced by the Canadian Government to “kill the Indian in the child” (Laing 52). In order to “kill” they forcibly removed children from their homes and communities to be taken to the schools in which they were forced to give up their native languages, cultural practices, beliefs and values. The children also faced physical and sexual abuse by authoritive figures within the schools. These tragedies are imbedded deep within the community and still present within many survivor’s memories. However, they are not understood by the non-indigenous peoples of Canada which has become an issue amongst the community. If the country and its people do not recognize the struggle neither will the government. The article states “In seeking recognition for the harms they endured it was not above receiving a payment, but more about facilitating an education nation- wide in order to improve their status within Canadian society” (Laing, 61). The quotation describes how the TRC fails to understand that “reconciliation” does not mean compensation. The indigenous community is concerned with obtaining a place amongst Canadian society which can only be done if the communities past is taught.

The TRC faces criticism of not creating sufficient justice for the community. Despite documented Residential School incidents in Canada, there is a general disbelief present within government and society. In order to access funds through the TRC, survivors must present proof of enrolment in the schools along with investigative documents proving any cases of physical and sexual assaults. Assaults are based on point merits, the greater the crime, the greater the compensation. However, each case is gone through proper assessment and approval of the claims, only then will survive receive compensation. For example, $10,000 is received to any survivors who can prove enrollment along with additional $3,000 for subsequent year. This system faces many critism as survivor are forced to relive the past experiences in order to receive compensations. However, this system does not have any restorative properties but rather discouraging ones as without proof and legitimacy, claims are not sufficient. These instances reveal the nature of the government and their failed response to address and accept the blame. In order for the Indigenous community to find peace in Canada, there needs to be an institutional reform done immediately. Compensation provides not much support as racism will ultamitly overcome the short peace that the Indigenous community might receive. The TRC needs to implement the Indigenous community and their history within the educational and public spheres. In other words, reconciliation needs to happen at every societal level to be effective. Even the media addresses the Residential school issues along with other issues in a hateful manor as they blame victims for the violence inflicted. The medias influence is concerning as many projects and movements are informed to the public through the media outlets. If the Indigenous community is perceived to be an “outsider” community than the movement of finding peace in Canada will never be reached as public support is crucial. In my opinion the only way to properly address the residential school incident is to first tackle to racism present within society. The issue is important to tackle for the for the suirvivors along with the next generation of indegionous children. It is necessary to make peace with the community so that the young adults within the community can intergraded with the rest of the Canadian society without having to give up their culture. Coming back to the racism issue, the best way to bridge the issues is to take understand the origin of the racism present towards the community. The origin of the racism is due to historical events that are not possible to change however moving forward to today’s society a lot can be done to change fate of the community. Starting steps can be positive integration into Canadian society. My Question : The indigenous community has always faced Racism and discrimination throughout Canadian history. It is still present within society today as the government fails to address the issues. Is there a reason why the government might be ignoring the issues and failing to address them?

Introduction:  Canada is considered to be a nation that respects and honors human rights for all its residing citizens. This statement does not apply to the Aboriginal people who have suffered great injustices throughout Canadian history  The motifs behind the TRC seem questionable  Canadian government has a lot of work to do in order to gain a healthy relationship with the native community IRS (Indian residential school)  Goal: “To kill the Indian in the child”  Created lifelong negative impact on native community  IRS were created to assimilate forcibly native children into the western society. They faced many challenges including: o Forcibly being removed from homes/communities o Restricted from observing in cultural practises o Restricted from speaking naïve language o Physical, mental and sexual abuse o Inadequate clothing, food and healthcare  Thousands of children were killed due to the poor and inhumane treatment IRSSA (Indian Residential school settlement agreement)  RCAP (Royal commission on Aboriginal peoples) realised a report highlighting severe socio-economic issues along with other racial discrimniation. This report along with the TRC helped establish the IRSSA TRC (Truth and reconciliation Commission) in context of the IRS  Creation of the IRSTRC was unique.  Scholars point out that it is unusual for the TRC not to be society-initiated project. Its existence is due to the government providing large financial funds  TRC goal: “Realization of an ideal human relationship based on a mutual respect that reflects and recognize out equal moral worth” (Laing, 55) 1. Acknowledges abuses committed in the past 2. Respond to the specific needs of victims 3. Contribute to justice and accountability 4. Outline institutional responsibility and recommend reforms 5. Promote reconciliation and reduce conflict over the past  TRC has failed to move beyond establishing truth and towards promoting reconciliation

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My Question : The indigenous community has always faced racism and discrimination throughout Canadian history. It is still present within society today as the government fails to address the issues. Is there a reason why the government might be ignoring the issues and failing to address them? I believe that the Canadian government fails to recognize the abuse and neglection that the Indigenous community faces as it would be extremely negative for the country’s reputation. Other reasons include the deep racism embedded within society and government that their issues don’t seem urgent. Coming back to the reputation issue, Canada is perceived as a peaceful nation since its very early history. Even violence present within its history and its current society is looked past by many. Many assumptions still exist that presume that every citizen in Canada has equal rights and is protected/ represented by its government which is not entirely true. Because of these “positive” assumptions, the government in my opinion does not see it necessary to tarnish this common belief, thus they fail to address these issues publicly in fear of being perceived negatively.

AP HREQ Forum #1

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