The Role Of Racism In Canada

The University of Winnipeg has approved a requirement that all undergraduate students complete one Indigenous studies course in order to graduate, which has left some asking whether the University of Manitoba should do the same. The goal of the requirement at the University of Winnipeg is to develop “mutual respect and understanding” (Narine, 2015) between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. The approval came following an article in Maclean’s magazine stating that Winnipeg is where the country’s racism problem is at its worst (Macdonald, 2015) due to the preventable 2008 death of Brian Sinclair, who was left to wait for treatment in a Winnipeg emergency room for 34 hours, and was sparked by the 2014 death of 15-year-old Tina Fontaine, one

One way that the Indigenous studies requirement would aid in combating racism is through diminishing harmful stereotypes that surround Indigenous peoples. According to Maclean’s, “one in three prairie residents believe that many racial stereotypes are accurate” and that 52% of prairie residents also agree that “Aboriginals’ economic problems are mainly their fault” (Macdonald, 2015) in a poll conducted by the Canadian Institute for Identities and Migration. Canada has had a long history of racism against and the dehumanization of Indigenous peoples, including but not limited to the residential school system and the more recent issue of the high rates of Indigenous children in Child and Family Services (CFS). It is estimated that 150,000 Indigenous children were placed into residential schools from 1874 to 1996 (Fee, 2012) and it is believed 6,000 of these children died while attending, although this number is difficult to determine due to the government ceasing recordings of deaths in residential schools around 1920. Indigenous children were taken from their homes, from their parents and from their way of life to be put into schools that were meant to rid them of their Indigenous culture and assimilate

It seeks to educate those on the history, culture and rights of Indigenous peoples that most are not aware of. The hope is that through this education, issues such as stereotypes will be corrected and that it will promote healthier interactions between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people leading into the future. Therefore, it does not seem unfair to suggest that if the University of Manitoba were to follow suit and introduce an Indigenous studies requirement, it would do more good than harm, especially in pacing the way for a better future in terms of acceptance and healthier