The Impact of Westernization on the Traditional Lifestyle of the First Nations (Chapter Reference - Ch 16)

The Impact of Westernization on the Traditional Lifestyle of the

First Nations

The Impact of Westernization on the Traditional Lifestyle of the

First Nations

(Chapter Reference - Ch 16)(Chapter Reference - Ch 16)

1. Increased Population1. Increased Population

Increase in population of new settlers interfered with lifestyle of hunting, fishing, agriculture - all requiring great deal of land

New settlers used/changed land so traditional methods could not be used to provide enough food for First Nations people

Increase in population of new settlers interfered with lifestyle of hunting, fishing, agriculture - all requiring great deal of land

New settlers used/changed land so traditional methods could not be used to provide enough food for First Nations people

2. Move of First Nations’ peoples onto reserves

2. Move of First Nations’ peoples onto reserves

Reserves lacked resources Difficult for traditional lifestyles Absence of economic base- created

social/health problems Many forced to accept welfare, or move to

cities looking for work

Reserves lacked resources Difficult for traditional lifestyles Absence of economic base- created

social/health problems Many forced to accept welfare, or move to

cities looking for work

3. Use of Residential Schools3. Use of Residential Schools

Aboriginal children sent to live/learn in special schools in larger towns

Taught language/culture of mainstream Canadian society

Not allowed to speak their own languages or practise their own cultural traditions

Trapped between two cultures

Aboriginal children sent to live/learn in special schools in larger towns

Taught language/culture of mainstream Canadian society

Not allowed to speak their own languages or practise their own cultural traditions

Trapped between two cultures

4. Fishing and Hunting Laws4. Fishing and Hunting Laws

Provincial/Federal govt. made laws to protect populations of wildlife

Native peoples traditionally hunted/fished whenever/wherever game was plentiful

Aboriginal leaders argue laws should not apply to their people- laws are helping to destroy economic base/traditional culture

Provincial/Federal govt. made laws to protect populations of wildlife

Native peoples traditionally hunted/fished whenever/wherever game was plentiful

Aboriginal leaders argue laws should not apply to their people- laws are helping to destroy economic base/traditional culture

5. Resource and Development Projects

5. Resource and Development Projects

Many resource development projects proceed without cooperation of Native peoples

Effects the environment in which Natives live - restricts ability to trap, fish, hunt

Unable to earn adequate living

Many resource development projects proceed without cooperation of Native peoples

Effects the environment in which Natives live - restricts ability to trap, fish, hunt

Unable to earn adequate living

Let’s focus on one of the issues…

Let’s focus on one of the issues…

What is Assimilation?What is Assimilation?

Assimilation is the loss of culture that occurs when an individual or group adopts the culture of the larger group within which he/she or they live. An example of this is a First Nation adopting the broader Canadian culture.

Assimilation is the loss of culture that occurs when an individual or group adopts the culture of the larger group within which he/she or they live. An example of this is a First Nation adopting the broader Canadian culture.

Canada’s Residential SchoolsCanada’s Residential Schools

In 1928, a government official predicted Canada would end its “Indian Problem” within 2 generations.

In 1928, a government official predicted Canada would end its “Indian Problem” within 2 generations.

Residential SchoolsResidential Schools

CBC Archives video clip from March 13th, 1955.

http://archives.cbc.ca/society/native%20issues/topics/692/

A New Future

CBC Archives video clip from March 13th, 1955.

http://archives.cbc.ca/society/native%20issues/topics/692/

A New Future

Residential Schools RevisitedResidential Schools Revisited

CBC Archives video clip from November 24th 1987

http://archives.cbc.ca/society/native%20issues/dossier/529/

Finding a Balance

CBC Archives video clip from November 24th 1987

http://archives.cbc.ca/society/native%20issues/dossier/529/

Finding a Balance

Residential SchoolsResidential Schools The missionary Hugh McKay,

writing in 1903, characterized the system itself as an effort "to educate and colonize people against their will."

The residential school system was part of a deliberate, systemic effort to "kill the Indian in the child."

This was accomplished by removing generations of children from their families and communities, and by alienating them from their language, culture and, broadly speaking, Aboriginal ways of living in the world.

The missionary Hugh McKay, writing in 1903, characterized the system itself as an effort "to educate and colonize people against their will."

The residential school system was part of a deliberate, systemic effort to "kill the Indian in the child."

This was accomplished by removing generations of children from their families and communities, and by alienating them from their language, culture and, broadly speaking, Aboriginal ways of living in the world.

www.wherearethechildren.ca

www.wherearethechildren.ca