Black chapter of Canadian History

"Canada 150"

I see this phrase everywhere in the city, all across Canada.

This year has been a very big celebration for Canada's 150 years old bday since Canada was established as Dominion of Canada in 1867.

 

Although Canada is known as an inclusive country, there is a dark chapter in the history: the implementation of residencial schools

 

The idea of residencial schools has resulted from the European assumption that they need to civilize Indigenous ppls

By separating kids from their parents and by teaching Christianity, Europeans attempted to abolish Indians' cultures. Through this cultural genocide, a number of Indigenous ppl have lost their customs, traditions and even languages.

 

The most surprising fact is that these residential schools were continued until the late 1990s, which is pretty recent in the history: The last school was closed just about 20 years ago, 1998.

Canadian multicultural policy was established in 1971; however, this absolutely discriminatory system was still ongoing under the policy securing cultural equality and respect for each culture.

 

Having only one perspective, in this case, ignoring Indeginous ppls perspectives, benefit nothing. 

This affair happened because European immigrants believed that Indians were evil and they have to be "fixed". Although the value or norm back in the day should be different from that of in the 21st century, it is still harmful and disrespectful occurrences.

 

Subscriving this leaning to review myself by thinking about Japanese political view, in my opinion, some Japanese people have a discriminatory view towards certain races, or others believe that we are born in a rich and developed country, so we have to "save" other poor countries.

This point of view positions ourselves somehow in a high place than others, which is quite dangerous to work together. People have to be realized how we are influenced and biased towards certain value and have to pay attention to others' perspectives.