Essay On Indigenous Studies

Indigenous Studies 100 is a course that serves important knowledge to any university student in Canada. This is a course that deals with contemporary issues and our history as a country. It is of equal importance to other classes that are mandatory throughout our lives in university. This essay will discuss the importance of a mandatory Indigenous Studies 100 course. In this paper I will attempt to explain why the issues and history that have happened, or are currently happening in our country to Aboriginal people are necessary knowledge for all university students to learn. This is a class that should be utilized no matter what area someone is specializing in. The missing and murdered women all across Canada is a major contemporary issue …show more content…
“In the treaties, Indigenous Peoples believed they were negotiating for the same kinds of education non-Aboriginal children received.” (The Indian Act and Residential Schools, discussion forum, week 11.) This however, clearly was not the case as anyone with even a modicum of knowledge on residential schools is fully aware. Where non-Aboriginal students were able to receive an actual education and go home, Aboriginal students were being taught less conventional school matters, like assimilation. “The stories also have disturbing similarities including back breaking physical labour, physical, sexual and verbal abuse, as well as stories of suicide and death.” (The Indian Act and Residential Schools, discussion forum, week 11.) This effects us to this day and remains a contemporary issue as Aboriginal people across Canada are still reeling from the effects of residential schools. If we are to fully come to terms with the mistakes of the past we must recognize the issues that Aboriginal people struggle with. Therefore an education on this subject is of vast