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Indigenous Critiques of Colonialism: First Peoples

Branson Carter

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Published in The Transit Of Empire: Indigenous Critiques Of Colonialism (First Peoples: New Directions Indigenous)

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This book is a comprehensive collection of essays by Indigenous scholars that critically examines the history and ongoing legacy of colonialism. The essays in this book offer a wide-ranging analysis of the ways in which colonialism has impacted Indigenous peoples, from the dispossession of land and resources to the forced assimilation of Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian society.

The Transit of Empire: Indigenous Critiques of Colonialism (First Peoples: New Directions Indigenous)

by Jodi A. Byrd

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1831 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	336 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

The book is divided into three parts. The first part, "Historical Contexts," provides a historical overview of colonialism and its impact on Indigenous peoples in Canada. The second part, "Contemporary Issues," examines the ongoing legacy of colonialism in areas such as education, healthcare, and justice. The third part, "Resistance and Resilience," highlights the ways in which Indigenous peoples have resisted colonialism and continue to assert their rights and identities.

Historical Contexts

The essays in the first part of the book provide a historical overview of colonialism and its impact on Indigenous peoples in Canada. The essays in this section cover a wide range of topics, from the early days of European contact to the present day. They examine the ways in which colonialism has dispossessed Indigenous peoples of their land and resources, and how it has forced Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian society.

One of the most important essays in this section is "The Doctrine of Discovery: How It Has Justified the Taking of Indigenous Lands" by John Borrows. In this essay, Borrows argues that the Doctrine of Discovery, a legal doctrine that was used to justify the colonization of the Americas, is still being used today to justify the taking of Indigenous lands. Borrows shows how the Doctrine of Discovery is based on a false understanding of Indigenous peoples and their relationship to the land. He argues that the Doctrine of Discovery is a tool of colonialism that has been used to dispossess Indigenous peoples of their land and resources.

Another important essay in this section is "The Indian Act: A Tool of Colonialism" by Patricia Monture-Angus. In this essay, Monture-Angus argues that the Indian Act is a tool of colonialism that has been used to control Indigenous peoples and their lives. The Indian Act was passed in 1876 and it has been used to impose a Euro-Canadian system of government and law on Indigenous peoples. Monture-Angus shows how the Indian Act has been used to dispossess Indigenous peoples of their land and resources, and how it has forced Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian society.

Contemporary Issues

The essays in the second part of the book examine the ongoing legacy of colonialism in areas such as education, healthcare, and justice. The essays in this section show how colonialism has had a devastating impact on the lives of Indigenous peoples in Canada. They examine the ways in which colonialism has led to poverty, unemployment, and ill health among Indigenous peoples.

One of the most important essays in this section is "Education for Liberation: Indigenous Education in Canada" by Marie Battiste. In this essay, Battiste argues that Indigenous education is a tool for liberation that can be used to empower Indigenous peoples and to help them to overcome the legacy of colonialism. Battiste shows how Indigenous education can be used to promote Indigenous languages and cultures, and how it can help Indigenous peoples to reclaim their traditional knowledge and ways of life.

Another important essay in this section is "Healing the Wounds of Colonialism: Indigenous Health in Canada" by Evan Adams. In this essay, Adams argues that the health of Indigenous peoples in Canada is a reflection of the ongoing legacy of colonialism. Adams shows how colonialism has led to poverty, unemployment, and ill health among Indigenous peoples. He argues that the health of Indigenous peoples cannot be improved until the root causes of colonialism are addressed.

Resistance and Resilience

The essays in the third part of the book highlight the ways in which Indigenous peoples have resisted colonialism and continue to assert their rights and identities. The essays in this section show how Indigenous peoples have used a variety of methods to resist colonialism, from armed resistance to cultural revitalization. They examine the ways in which Indigenous peoples have

The Transit of Empire: Indigenous Critiques of Colonialism (First Peoples: New Directions Indigenous)

by Jodi A. Byrd

4.3 out of 5