For this research paper I will look at the history of residential schools in Canada and how they affected aboriginal culture, individuals, and communities. A key component will be to assess the Canadian government’s reasons for cultural genocide and how the term genocide can be applied to this situation. This paper will assess how the government has tried to amend the treatment of aboriginals in these schools through a public apology and reimbursement programs, but also how the legacy of residential schools have affected the way Canadians currently view themselves as accepting and encouraging of other cultures in society. This paper will argue that the Canadian government committed cultural genocide through the operation of residential schools,
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The article highlights the events and treatment within residential schools and follows with an analysis of Harper’s speech and the reactions of both aboriginals and non-aboriginals. In Harper’s speech he announced “the approval of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement and a total of $1.9 billion in payments to former students. In addition, the Agreement promised $60 million dollars for a five-year Truth and Reconciliation Commission of $145 million for commemoration and healing events”. This source is a valuable resource because it analytically examines Harper’s speech and the reaction from aboriginal and non-aboriginal Canadians, while using discourse theories from Hall. Canadian’s and their history portray the idea that they are a mosaic, in that they are accepting and proud of the diversity of cultures and ethnicity’s within the country. This article shows how the history of residential schools in Canada has been a long-standing issue, and the acknowledgement of the government’s role is a step in rectifying the cultural genocide of the aboriginals and changes the view in which Canadians view …show more content…
Macdonald gives a detailed account of residential school history in Canada and seeks to determine if it can be categorized as genocide by examining different definitions and examples around the world. He declares at the beginning of the article that they remain “on the fence” as to whether it is considered genocide or not. Macdonald stresses the fact that in the legal system the important factor that determines genocide is the intent of the accusers to destroy an identifiable group of people. The way in which legal courts determine what is considered “destroyed” or “harmed” varied depending on the case, however two terms that can be applied to this case are the acts of bodily harm and mental harm. As Macdonald notes, there was sexual assault, severe beatings, degrading treatment, and serious injuries that threatened student’s health that may have resulted in
The article highlights the events and treatment within residential schools and follows with an analysis of Harper’s speech and the reactions of both aboriginals and non-aboriginals. In Harper’s speech he announced “the approval of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement and a total of $1.9 billion in payments to former students. In addition, the Agreement promised $60 million dollars for a five-year Truth and Reconciliation Commission of $145 million for commemoration and healing events”. This source is a valuable resource because it analytically examines Harper’s speech and the reaction from aboriginal and non-aboriginal Canadians, while using discourse theories from Hall. Canadian’s and their history portray the idea that they are a mosaic, in that they are accepting and proud of the diversity of cultures and ethnicity’s within the country. This article shows how the history of residential schools in Canada has been a long-standing issue, and the acknowledgement of the government’s role is a step in rectifying the cultural genocide of the aboriginals and changes the view in which Canadians view …show more content…
Macdonald gives a detailed account of residential school history in Canada and seeks to determine if it can be categorized as genocide by examining different definitions and examples around the world. He declares at the beginning of the article that they remain “on the fence” as to whether it is considered genocide or not. Macdonald stresses the fact that in the legal system the important factor that determines genocide is the intent of the accusers to destroy an identifiable group of people. The way in which legal courts determine what is considered “destroyed” or “harmed” varied depending on the case, however two terms that can be applied to this case are the acts of bodily harm and mental harm. As Macdonald notes, there was sexual assault, severe beatings, degrading treatment, and serious injuries that threatened student’s health that may have resulted in