Introduction
In the history of many countries, a significant number of internal conflicts have been connected with the attitude toward indigenous people. The USA and Canada are excellent examples of these issues, and their history warrants in-depth exploration. This essay will examine the distinctive characteristics of Canada’s Indigenous people and their perspectives on the country’s lands.
Canadian Nation-Building and Indigenous Worldviews on Land
The Canadian indigenous people say that it is all about land due to the facts of unfairness and cruelty that these people experienced in their past. The United States is renowned for its unique relationships with indigenous peoples in the past. Canada has a considerably similar history in terms of situations of unfairness and cruelty towards Indigenous people.
It is worth noting that colonization began after Europeans arrived on these lands (Carr-Stewart, 2019). Native people have already established their traditions, culture, different institutions, and other attributes of their lives on these lands. The Canadian government consciously took actions to harass indigenous people, lowering their rights and destroying their culture. The country’s new rulers did more than take homes and farming areas away from its native residents; they also created new systems of politics and business.
As a result, “the land” symbolizes indigenous people’s lives that were severely destroyed. When discussing it, native Canadians mean more than soil and property – they talk about its connection to the Creator and its relation to their lives. Here, the belief in nation-building emphasizes the interconnectedness of all beings and the kinship between objects, people, and the environment (Vowel, 2016). Moreover, the cultural survival of First Nation people’speople depends on passing on their wisdom to the next generation, which was stifled in residential schools (Vowel, 2016). The land encompasses people’s history, knowledge, culture, and legacy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is crucial to highlight that Indigenous people appreciate their lands as the quintessence of their lives; they incorporate their history, beliefs, deeds, and culture. Therefore, when considering the current Canadian native people’s thoughts on the importance of the lands, one should understand the tremendous loss these indigenous people have suffered. It is vital to recognize the suppression of indigenous people and see that the lands where they live are inseparable parts of their lives.
References
Carr-Stewart, S. (2019). Knowing the past, facing the future: Indigenous education in Canada. UBC Press.
Vowel, C. (2016). Indigenous writes: A guide to First Nations, Metis, & Inuit issues in Canada. Portage & Main Press.