Many Indigenous people have no trouble maintaining their identity, while at the same time participating in Canadian society. There are definitely problems with mainstream Canadian society, but I think it would be better to try to change the mainstream for the better, rather than attempt to dismantle it.
I am in favour of Indigenous people maintaining their rights, but also their Canadian citizenship. However, I believe any rights maintained should not harm Aboriginals or Non-Aboriginals.
I am very much aware of the harm that resulted from numerous aspects of the Indigenous residential schools. However, there were Aboriginals who graduated from these schools, who went on to lead productive and successful lives. This post provides examples of those who had positive experiences.
Canadian Indigenous Residential Schools – Counter-Narratives Read More »
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada final report executive summary (2015) overemphasizes the negative and under-reports the positive. The lessons from the painful accounts need to be translated into more than a blueprint for “stratospheric rights,” particularly since not all Indigenous people are on the same page when it comes to this executive summary.
A review of Tsimshian author Calvin Helin’s Dances With Spirits: Ancient Wisdom for a Modern World (2014). Helin’s Dances With Dependency: Indigenous Success Through Self-Reliance (2006) and The Empowerment Mindset: Success Through Self-Knowledge (2012) are also discussed.
A Review of Calvin Helin’s Dances With Spirits: Ancient Wisdom for a Modern World Read More »
A review of Thomas King’s The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America (2012). King (1943-) has Cherokee, Greek and German ancestry. I find he sometimes contradicts himself, but some of his recommendations are constructive.
A review of some aspects of the blog “Six Nations (Haudenosaunee) & the Halidmand Tract: Beliefs Versus Facts.” DeYo, the blog author, is a resident of Haldimand County in Ontario, Canada. His kinship includes (among others) Delaware, Mohawk and Tyendinaga. He comments on “unresolved land disputes” between the Canadian government and the Haudenosaunee.
The Chippewas of the Thames First Nation (COTTFN) is located about 20 km southwest of London. In 2013, COTTFN voted in favour of creating an urban reserve as part of a land claims settlement. This reserve was to be located in London. I examine the implications of this.
In May 2012, the Mental Health Commission of Canada released its report “Changing Directions, Changing Lives: the Mental Health Strategy for Canada.” I critique the Aboriginal components of this report,
A Critique of the Aboriginal Components of “The Mental Health Strategy for Canada” Read More »
Caledonia, Ontario is near the Six Nations of the Grand River reserve in Southern Ontario. There have been ongoing tensions between the two communities relating to Six Nations land claims. My post deals with a dispute in 2012.
Caledonia and Six Nations: Majority Opposed April 28, 2012 “Parade” Read More »