Understanding the Impact of Canada's Residential School System
School
Centennial College**We aren't endorsed by this school
Course
GNED 130
Subject
Sociology
Date
Dec 11, 2024
Pages
3
Uploaded by ConstableOtterMaster5892
NAME: ABDULLATEEF OLUWASEYI OLURIMISICOLLEGE: CENTENNIAL COLLEGESTUDENT NO: 301050750DATE: 18/04/2024COURSE: GNED 130 (SOCIOLOGY)THE RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL EXPERIENCE
The residential school system, which spread across Canada, inflicted devastating and innumerable- harm on the Indigenous people, perpetuating intergenerational trauma and continuing social disparities. With the conflict perspective and cultural hegemony, this paper investigates the systemic forces driving residential schools and the enduring effects of such policies on Indigenous communities. It is also going to point out certain reconciliation solutions to offset the historical injustices and foster healing.Residential schools in Canada seen from the conflict perspective and cultural hegemony explicate Indigenous peoples' social victimization, continued long-lasting trauma, and ongoing social inequalities. Reconciliation initiatives must prioritize First Nations sovereignty cultural renewal and systemic reforms to overcome the legacies of residential schools and to develop healing and resilience.Conflict perspective in sociology: in conflict perspective, the point is whether a sociological aspect is related to power struggles, social inequalities, or how one social group imposes restrictions on other groups. In the case of residential schools, the conflict perspective states that colonial powers relegated First Nations peoples to subordinate or oppressive status. The Canadian government, in cahoots with Christian churches, created residential schools to assimilate First Nations children into the Euro-Canadian culture. In doing so, social hierarchies were established. The dominant group imposed its cultural values and beliefs on First Nations groups, subjugating those lives through marginalization and oppression.Cultural hegemony: it is a situation where a culture manages to wield dominance over other cultures through the socialization of its values, beliefs, and practices to other groups. Residential schools were a situation of cultural hegemony because they
authorized the forced eradication of First Nations languages, spirituality, and traditions and the imposition of Euro-Canadian cultural values over the First Nations children. The loss of First Nations identity and cultural roots has contributed to feelings of low self-esteem, cultural disconnect, and intergenerational trauma.Reconciliation will be framed around the issue of Indigenous sovereignty—the right to self-determination, and land rights, as well as the development of governance structures that empower Indigenous people to craft their futures.Cultural revitalization, such as through language revitalization programs, cultural education initiatives, and community-led cultural events celebrating and preserving Indigenous heritage, forms an integral element in healing and reconciliation.Systemic inequalities and barriers, addressing discrimination, systemic racism, and sexism, require institutional reforms in education, healthcare, and justice. These mean culturally responsive services, the decolonization of curricula, and meaningful Indigenous representation and participation at all levels of decision-making processes.Residential schools in Canada are a strong example of systemic oppression of Indigenous peoples perpetuated through the conflict perspective and cultural hegemony. Reconciliation should attempt to be situated through Indigenous sovereignty, cultural resurgence, and institutional reforms that address historical wrongs and allow for healing. The reconciliation process must be anchored in Indigenous voices and experiences and foster cultural resilience to help dismantle some of the systemic barriers and begin addressing Canada's legacy of residential schools to attain justice and reconciliation.