Indian Horse Sparknotes

Historically, cultural genocide is a reoccurring issue in Indigenous communities. This is true in Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese. Cultural genocide originates from the belief that certain ethnic groups should assimilate according to established standards. Furthermore, cultural genocide occurs in residential schools through the violating treatment of Indigenous children. Moreover, survivors of residential schools are deeply affected by the loss of their culture, which has a long-lasting impact. In and of itself, residential schools have damaged Indigenous culture and ways of life; they forcibly altered Indigenous lifestyles and have long-lasting adverse effects on Indigenous communities and individuals alike.

Cultural genocide originates

He manipulated Saul by involving him in hockey and other tasks; he mistreated Saul and ultimately replaced "I love you" with the phrase "You are a glory.". Father Leboutilier exploited Saul's thirst for love and affection to fulfill his sexual desires. When Father Leboutilier felt that Saul was becoming difficult to manipulate, he would bring him back under his control by offering him compliments and kind actions, such as allowing him to play with the St. Jerome Residential School team. Therefore, the activities of the priests and nuns in residential schools only served to solidify the true intentions of these residential schools and their lasting effects on Indigenous culture. Also, residential schools intended to transform the children, but many remain lost; they still encounter difficulties recovering from their traumatic encounters and losing their cultural heritage while staying in these residential

This is true of Saul. Residential schools subject children to traumatic events and situations that sever cultural ties. Saul states," I did not want to be haunted. I had lived that way for far too long as it was," (Wagamese 314). Saul explains how residential schools have negatively impacted his life and the lives of others. Saul shows how the traumatic events he has gone through haunt his way of life and limit his chance to grow and overcome his trauma. These unfortunate events have plagued Saul, leading him down a terrible road of intoxication, depression, and violence. These traumatic experiences have ultimately changed Saul and forced him to view culture and uniqueness negatively. Therefore, Saul's horrible experiences have impacted him and limited his ability to mature and overcome the suffering he has endured from Father Leboutilier and others within the residential school system. Residential schools have harmed Indigenous culture and ways of life; they forcefully changed behaviours and had long-term negative consequences on Indigenous communities and individuals