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Here Is What Sir John A. Macdonald Did To Indigenous People

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Sir John A. MacDonald was the first prime minister and the figure who built the existence and set up of the modern foundation of Canada. In Tristan Hooper’s article, "Here is what Sir John A. MacDonald did to Indigenous People," the author talks about MacDonald’s controversial legacy and decisions, which have set up a meta-narrative towards the Indigenous people from a Settlers perspective from a Eurocentric influence. As a product of this Eurocentric worldview, Sir John A. MacDonald supports that the white race was superior and that Indigenous peoples needed to be "civilized" and adapt to European civilization. He put into effect laws like the Indian Act and residential schools, which aimed to obliterate Indigenous culture and identity and …show more content…

Socio-economic status (SES) is defined as when intentions toward Indigenous people are shown and perceived. MacDonald never provided Indigenous people with new food; it was always “rancid,” which made “the Plains First Nations population drop from 32,000 to 20,000” (Hooper, 2018, pg.3). To begin with, a counter-narrative has been to view Indigenous people as inferior and a danger to settler colonialism. This viewpoint is by institutionalized discrimination against Indigenous people by the government of Canada to unify settler groups and use this discrimination, such as the Indian Act in 1876 in Canada, which caused toll consequences. John A. Macdonald has played a role in perpetuating systemic oppression and violence against Indigenous peoples in Canada through policies such as the residential school system, the Indian Act, and the forced relocation of Indigenous communities. For example, James Daschuk claims that “MacDonald...had Indigenous people locked down so tightly that they became irrelevant [and could not do anything] after 1855 [genocide against Indigenous people]” (Hooper, 2018, pg.1). As a result, the cultural superiority of settlers …show more content…

This system had been created to keep Indigenous people out of the border region's economy and society to keep their survival depending on the colonial authorities. MacDonald's actions were part of a complex heritage and extraordinary attempts by settlers to oppress Indigenous people and concentrate power in the hands of a few elites. Despite the destruction of Indigenous culture, language, and sovereignty, the oligarchy, which is politicians and businesspeople who have received help from colonization and the exploitation of indigenous lands and resources, perpetuates this viewpoint. By this arrangement, indigenous people were effectively kept on their reserves, prohibited them from taking part in other communities and being seen as marginalized. Thirdly, the predominant stance held by settlers about Indigenous people is implanted in a capitalist framework that prioritizes economic gain over human well-being. Indigenous people have been called savage, inferiors, negligent, uncivilized, and a scalping party. All this genocide was caused and started by John A. MacDonald and faced by Indigenous communities and their children, who went to residential schools, and some survived the harsh environment. White kids were allowed to succeed while being unaware of humbled by the plight of Indigenous children, whose land

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