choose 4 different topics as in articles, videos, or lectures for writing. As a reflection of that topic in 4 section paragraph word count 1300-1600 with proper references all have to be in APA format
Introduction
This unit will focus on some of the cultural, spiritual, and economic impacts that colonial incursion has had on Inuit and northern First Nation peoples. Non-Indigenous settlement and industry (aside from the large gold rushes) occurred quite recently, relative to the southern regions of Canada. As such, Indigenous land-based economies and their associated traditions remained relatively robust until just a few generations ago. Suddenly, mining, missionaries, and 'national defence' imperatives brought a rush of settlers into the North, disrupting lifestyles and livelihoods. This unit examines what happened during this era of northern colonization.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:
discuss some of the cultural, spiritual, and economic impacts that colonial incursion in the north has had on northern First Nations and Inuit populations;
discuss both the Indigenous and non-Indigenous wishes to make the northern treaties;
appraise the creation of Nunavut and some of the positive and negative aspects of its creation on its Inuit constituents; and
critique Canada's history of forced community re-locations – especially in the North.
How to proceed:
Look over Unit 5 Terms to familiarize yourself with the vocabulary required for the unit.
Read the Unit 5 Introduction.
Follow the suggested order to complete the assigned readings and answer the Discussion Activity questions in point form unless otherwise directed to use full sentences. *** It is suggested that you read the questions before you read each section, so that you will know what to watch for, and can complete the discussion questions much more efficiently.
Make notes that you can use in your research papers and for overall understanding of Aboriginal cultures and colonialism.
Read the instructor's Unit 5 'Conclusion' carefully.
Discuss Unit 5's question with your online discussion group. Be sure to include in your discussion a relevant piece of research you've found for your research topic.
Activities
Activity 1:The arrival of Christianity among the Inuit of Pelly Bay, NU
Read
Activity 1 Readings
Study questions
Why did some Inuit strategically request a Catholic mission post at Pelly Bay? What role would the mission play socially and economically among the Inuit?
What were some of the consequences, for the Inuit, of the establishment of the mission?
Inuit participation in Christianity was complex with some practices/beliefs adopted and others ignored; there was often a blend (syncretism) of Christianity and traditional Inuit spirituality.
Which Christian practices/beliefs were more easily adopted and why?
Which traditional Inuit practices/beliefs were maintained?
Activity 2: Treaty-making in the north, and the creation of Nunavut
Read
Activity 2 Readings
Study questions
Imagine that you are an Indigenous leader or spokesperson in the North. Compose a one-paragraph speech outlining why you want treaty, or to somehow discuss what was going on and to negotiate an agreement. Include in your speech what was happening to the land and who was coming. (5)
Why did the government finally agree to make treaty? (1)
Briefly describe what the concepts 'extinguishment' and 'usufructuary rights' mean the government's written version of the treaty. (3)
Is this fair? Why or why not? (2)
Indigenous people were often cheated. Why did the white traders cheat them? (2)
Do a Google search on the price of food in northern First Nations and describe whether or not non-Indigenous businesses still try to take advantage of Indigenous populations. (3)
Imagine after dealing with population disappearances, you and your Inuit family are being relocated by the government, forced from your home and dropped off in a foreign place. Create a paragraph's diary entry explaining how you feel. (6)
Do forced relocations fit within your idea of how Canada should operate? Why or why not? (2)
In the creation of Nunavut the Inuit gave up their Indigenous title for fee simple ownership. In the long term, does a fee simple arrangement benefit Inuit people and culture in your view? Why or why not? (4)
Why did Canada agree to the creation of Nunavut? (3)
Activity 3:Indigenous people to represent themselves in fair negotiations?
Watch
"Voters choose N.W.T. split in 1982" CBC
(You may need to open a separate window for this link!)
After watching the video can you explain what historical impacts may have caused the East and the West of the N.W.T. to vote differently? Note the use of language of the broadcasters, what does this tell you about the context of this vote and decision? Do you think Indigenous people were able to represent themselves on an equal footing in these negotiations, why or why not? Post your thoughts in the discussion forum.
Reflection Point
The historical tendency of Euro-Canadians is to give little credence or regard to the spiritual/religious philosophies and customs of Indigenous peoples. How is this exemplified in the case of the Inuit? How does the material in this unit relate to your research topic?
Discuss
Unit 5 Reflection Point
Conclusion
In this unit, we examined some of the cultural, spiritual, and economic impacts brought by colonial incursion into the North. Canada's north is a critical space for understanding colonialism because it occurred relatively recently. As of 2013, there are some very old Indigenous people who can recall never having seen a white person until their teens or early 20s. To many of us in the Canadian south, this seems to indicate the remoteness and isolation of these areas where people live. Though we understand that the terms 'isolated' and 'remote' are only true from a southern perspective, they nonetheless carry with them a continuous mythologizing element left over from the early days of Euro-Canadian settlement in the south – that the land of the north is 'harsh' and 'wild' and 'barren'. These myths compel the Euro-Canadian settler population to wish to 'tame' the north and to harness its vast 'resources.'
As seen in earlier chapters, this drive to tame the north does not stop with the wild terrain. It was extended to the taming of the North's 'wild' Indigenous inhabitants. The dehumanizing treatment of northern Indigenous peoples is most evident where communities were uprooted and forced to relocate. People were taken from their homelands—like nuisance animals might be treated—to make way for various industries and white settlement.
All has not been negative, however. The creation of Nunavut—after much vocal pressure by local indigenous and non-Indigenous people—has allowed the Inuit and fellow northern-dwellers to be more self-determining. Despite the heavy-handedness of governments, northern Indigenous groups that signed the numbered treaties do ostensibly retain the sovereignty that a fair interpretation of treaty rights would bring. As Canada makes a push for Arctic sovereignty in order to safeguard potential oil and gas exploitation for itself, the future will tell how northern Indigenous populations—and especially constituents of Nunavut—might benefit, or not, by the new attention paid.
