Historical Origins and Contemporary Issues

1. Historical Origins and Contemporary Issues Chapter 9

2. In this chapter we will discuss the idea of whether or not society should respond to the legacies of globalization. • To answer this question, we have looked at several examples that showed many forms this contact can take. • It is not always positive.

3. In many cases there was a lack of respect for many cultures. • Some countries felt it was their duty to civilize people. • Today attitudes have changed, yet the effects have not left us.

4. In many of the former colonies political unrest as well as human rights abuses continue. • Do we have an obligation to help solve what our ancestors caused? • How much?

5. How does historical imperialism relate to current social issues? • The past affects the now as well as the future.

6. Social Effects Associated with Residential Schools • Most of you have learned culture from your family. • Schools do play some part in this • What would you be like if your culture was taken away from you at a young age? • Think if school was here to undo all that your parents told you? • Then you would have lived in a residential school.

7. Residential Schools • In 1884 the Indian Act made it compulsory for status Indians under the age of 16 to attend Indian schools until the age of 18. • This created the government funded and church run Residential Schools

8. The schools were located in every province except Newfoundland, New Brunswick, and PEI. • See map on page 182 • 130 schools existed from 1884 to 1996. • Read page 182 • Read testimony on page 194.

9. Social Consequences of Residential Schools • Many problems that the First Nations have today are directly and indirectly related to the schools. • Physical and emotional abuse was only a problem. • The idea was to take the “Indian out of the Indian”

10. Many of the people who were in the schools were left with feelings of loss and separation. • Have you ever felt alone? • Think about feeling like that all of the time. • What can happen if you feel this way for extended time?

11. Depression, which can lead to: • Alcohol abuse • Drug abuse • Family violence • suicide • See page 185 • Notice the rate of suicide difference between the First Nations and Canada

12. The Government Response to the Legacies of Residential Schools • In 1998 Jane Stewart issued an apology on behalf of the Canadian Government. • Read page 188 to see what she said. • Was that enough? • 245 million was put into a fund for counselling.

13. In June 2001 the federal government set up a department to deal with the consequences of the schools. • It spent a lot of time settling the lawsuits of the former students. • In November 2005 an agreement was reached between the Federal government and the First Nations. • See 4 points on page 189

14. 86,000 students were given the package. • They were not to give up their right to seek damages for physical and sexual abuse. • It released the government and churches from any claims against the schools. • See chart on page 189 • June 11, 2008 Stephan Harper apologizes. • Here is some of what he said.....

15. Historical Imperialism and Civil Strife • How could historical imperialism affect the long term stability of a region or country?

17. What do you do when you feel you are not being treated very well? • What options do you have when it happens? • You can choose a legal system if you need to. • You could also write letters, contact the media or lobby your member of parliament.

18. All of these avenues are open to you if live in a democratic country. • What do you do if the system fails you, where do you turn? • Sometimes people decide to take matters into their own hand.

19. The Oka Crisis • In March 1990, armed members of the Mohawk First Nation barricaded a road and occupied land near the town of Oka, Quebec. • They were protesting plans to build a golf course on land that they claim is part of a sacred grove of pine trees that had been planted by their ancestors. • Oka Crisis Standoff –You Tube Video

20. The Mohawk were not consulted about the plans. • The land claim had been ongoing since 1717 and turned down by 1986. • The mayor had no choice but to call the police and on July 11, 1990 the SWAT team was sent in.

21. The SWAT team launched tear gas and concussion grenades in an attempt to clear the barricade. • During the chaos one of the police officers was shot and killed.

22. Over the next several weeks First Nations from all over North America joined the Mohawk barricades. • The Mercier bridge was blockaded by the Mohawk causing enormous traffic jams.

23. Other acts occurred throughout Canada in support of the Mohawk. • On August 14, 1990 Robert Bourassa invoked the National Defense Act that allowed him to use the military. • Nine days after the military were called in a settlement was negotiated and the blockades were brought down.

24. The blockade at Kanesatake held out for another month. • By September 26, 1990 they had had enough. • They burned their weapons and burned tobacco as they walked out of the pines. • No one was ever charged and convicted with the death of the police officer

25. The Aftermath • The golf course expansion was cancelled. • The International Federation of Human rights criticized the handling of the events by the Government. • Amnesty International condemned Canada for its alleged abuse those who had been arrested.

26. The standoff marked a turning point in the treatment of the First Nations. • Policies were put in place for the implementing of safe and secure communities. • Royal Commission created on the concerns of Aboriginal Canadians.

27. Other problems occurred twice in Ontario, and New Brunswick. • Read page 193 and 194

28. Learning from Past Mistakes • People did suffer because of historical globalization? • Most people would agree on this. • Should we reject all globalization because some parts are bad? • We must learn from our past.

29. The Zapatista Movement • This is an example of anti-globalization forces. • Read page 196-197 about the Zapatista movement. • Chiapas is a state in Mexico of about 4 million people that are descendants of the Mayan people.

30. 40% of the people suffer from malnutrition. • Most of the area is farming. • History of poverty and a lack of opportunity go all the back in history to the Spanish conquistadors.

31. When the Spanish came to Mexico they took the best land and forced the Mayans to areas that were not good for growing crops. • They barely subsisted. • They have lived this way ever since then.

32. See figure on page 197 • When Mexico joined the free trade agreement between them and the US and Canada, they agreed to stop subsidies to farmers. • The agreement also stopped the idea of communal land.

33. The Zapatista movement arose due to new forms of globalization. • They believe that NAFTA isdestroying their culture and economic and political systems. • When NAFTA came in, the Zapatistas took over 5 towns in the Chiapas area.

34. New Tactics • Soon after the declaration of war 1994, the Zapatistas became more unique in that they began to fight non violently. • They appealed for international help. • Read what the leader said on page 199

35. The tactics seem to be working. • More aid has been given to the area than ever before. • The government has turned a blind eye to the 30 towns that have declared themselves autonomous. • See picture on page 199