Reacting to this week's learning by

The concept of land ownership - Sharon Chavez

2023-11-23 09:10:38 UTC

The disrespect that Indigenous peoples have received over the years by The Crown and the Canadian government is frustrating to learn about, and it invokes feelings of anger and sadness. In my opinion, it is only human nature that Indigenous peoples would decide to take actions such as the 1492 Land Back Lane camp which are in no way violent, but instead are direct and a result of so many years of being silenced, ignored and shut down. I believe that Sir Frederick Haldimand's words when gifting the land to the Haudenosaunee people were very clear and there is only one possible interpretation, however The Crown sees those lands just like every other part of Canada: an opportunity to make profit. I wholeheartedly agree with Pam Palmater in that we need to trust Indigenous communities to steward the land, as it is not only their historical right but is in the best interest of everyone living in Canada. The truth is that corporations only care about profit and do not think about sustainability unless they are forced to. I believe that it is possible to find common ground and make agreements between government, corporations and Indigenous peoples who have the rights to "ownership" over lands. However, to me this would require for The Crown to change their conception of land and recognize that they don't own Canada, but rather colonized lands that were already inhabited by many groups of peoples.

OKA Crisis

2023-11-27 00:52:11 UTC

The OKA Legacy film shows how a tragedy or crisis can turn into a positive force that will speak about truth, bravery and resilience. Yes, it was very traumatic and tragic for Indigenous people, the Mohawk, to go through all of that chaos, riot and fighting, just for trying to defend their rights, culture and land stewardship. I can't imagine how devastating that was for them but I really admire how Indigenous people manage to hold on tight together and instead create a stronger bond of good resistance, fighting alongside each other and formed "Idle No More" movement which has given light and opening eye to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to fight for their cause. I thought it was truly powerful. The OKA crisis did not only gave hope to the Indigenous people, it brought them a reason to fight back and speak up for the truth without fear. It gave them power to build up resilience within the community to rise above difficult moments and tragic events. It restored their faith on wanting for change, hoping one day, the elusive justice will change the narratives for good.

The film was truly inspiring and moving. - Everett

Pam Palmeter Suggestion

2023-11-28 15:07:40 UTC

Yes I do get what Pam Palemter is saying because it is clear that the Indigenous can't trust Canada anymore. That being said we know the government calls all the shots in this country so while I do agree with Pam, I at the same time somehwat disagree. I feel the stewardship because of the deep hole Indigenous are in is unfortunately not that easy to apply. I feel the Indigenous will run into a lot of trouble especially considering the way there are treated as there could be new laws built for them that will affect them negatively because they arent doing things the way Canada wants them to. Yes I know its unfair but at the same time, the Indigenous if they plan on doing this better be self aware and make sure they don't get into any more trouble they supposedly already are with Canada.

Oka Crisis: The Ugly Truth of Canadians - Lysandra Mahendran

2023-12-01 00:35:37 UTC

Upon reading and watching the video about the Oka Crisis, I can't help but sit here in shock. Is this even real? What really struck me is the part in the video that shows the Indigenous Peoples driving to their land and settlers throwing rocks at them. How disgusting and inhumane? That itself is traumatizing, but not even the worst part of this whole crises. I think the settlers who participated in each horrible way are so unsympathetic and merciless to really fight so hard for an extension of a golf course. I think the Indigenous communities are so resilient and brave in what they did and how they protected their right. It's so unfair that they would even need to protect it in the way that unveiled, but so heartbreaking to hear the stories of the Indigenous kids who had to deal with this too.

Empowering Indigenous Stewardship

2023-12-04 00:50:56 UTC

I find the Oka Crisis, with its conflicts over ancestral lands, to be a reflection of the continuous fight for Indigenous rights. The Land Back movement, which advocates giving land back to Indigenous groups, makes sense when you look at particular situations such as the development of a golf course on territory that is sacred to the Mohawk people. It feels appropriate to trust Indigenous groups to take care of the land, as Pam Palmater suggests, because it recognizes their special relationship to the ecosystem. I am more convinced to support Indigenous communities' sovereignty in land management when I witness their tenacity and fortitude, particularly in light of recent events. It's about acknowledging past wrongs, such as those in the Oka Crisis, and advocating for cooperative strategies that put Indigenous knowledge and wellbeing first.

-Daniella

Pam Palmater's idea - Nuket

2023-12-04 17:06:46 UTC

I find Pam Palmater's idea that Indigenous communities should be trusted to steward the land, rather than governments or corporations, very persuasive. It acknowledges the deep, sustainable connection these communities have with the land over centuries. The issues especially highlighted by the Oka Crisis and the Land Back movement make me believe that we need a systemic reform in our approach to land ownership and stewardship, one that respects and incorporates Indigenous wisdom and rights.

Pam Palmeter Recommendation:

2023-12-06 01:40:53 UTC

Indeed, Pam Palemter makes a valid point when she says that it is obvious that Indigenous peoples no longer have faith in Canada. Even though I agree with Pam, I also disagree with her in certain ways because we all know that the government in this country makes all the decisions. I think it's sad that applying stewardship is difficult given the deep hole that Indigenous peoples are in. The way that Indigenous people are handled makes me believe that they will face many difficulties in the future. Additionally, new laws that are tailored to their needs because they don't follow Canadian policy may be implemented, which will badly impact them. Although I acknowledge that it is unjust, the Indigenous people had better exercise self-awareness to avoid getting into any more problems with Canada than they already purportedly have.

rishi patel

What did the Oka Crisis teach me? Gursimran S

2023-12-10 01:34:48 UTC

The documentary on the Oka Crisis had so many details on Indigenous life in Canada. I got a different perspective on the struggle of living in Canada. Not only did Mohawk, Kahnawake and other Indigenous people have to fight for their rightful lands, but they also faced harassment and aggression from the Canadian Armed Forces. Indigenous communities had to fight for deeply spiritual lands that were simply going to be destroyed for things like a golf course. Indigenous people have always cared for the land, unlike any government or corporation. They went through so much during the Oka crisis, so much pain, but they found the positive, so many communities coming together, knowledge and advocation being spread. The “Idle No More” movement was such a big change, it allowed for so much change. Indigenous people have stayed steady stewards of their land, while we have used and abused ours. If we were to learn something from their ways, our earth would not be suffering as it is right now. In simple words, yes, Canada should trust Indigenous communities to steward the land.

Brief

2023-12-10 04:38:23 UTC

One of the events that exemplified the continuous dispute between Native American groups and the Canadian administration regarding land ownership and independence was the Oka Crisis. The incident proved that there was something rotten in Washington; there were problems with land disputes, the issue of cultural heritage, as well as indigenous people’s fight for self-governance.

The phrase “land back” refers to the demands calling for the restoration of land ownership rights to indigenous people and recognition of past wrongs that need to be redressed. It acknowledges the significance of land that goes beyond being physical because it forms part of Native identity, culture, and self-determination.

The point of view of Pam Palmater with regard to trusting indigenous communities to manage the land is convincing. It expresses the strong relationship between the land and the indigenous people, which dates back to several centuries of environmental awareness. Giving this stewardship to these communities recognizes how knowledgeable they are regarding conserving this area for future generations.

Instead of taking the land away from Indigenous communities who seem best suited to manage it for sustainability and harmony with nature, the government can try a more holistic approach toward the same ends. This change in approach, however, demands a total restructuring of colonial government administration as well as policies concerning aboriginal governance systems, cultures, and self-determination as an important component towards reconciliation, truth, and justice.

2023-12-10 23:33:01 UTC

Pam Palmater raises a pertinent observation by stating that Indigenous peoples no longer place trust in Canada. While I concur with Pam on this point, there are aspects where I differ in perspective. It is evident that the government holds the decision-making power in this country. It is disheartening to note the challenges in applying stewardship, considering the significant struggles faced by Indigenous peoples. The treatment of Indigenous individuals leads me to anticipate numerous hurdles in their future.

Moreover, there might be adverse effects if new laws, specifically tailored to Indigenous needs and not aligned with Canadian policy, are introduced. While I acknowledge the injustice of such a situation, it seems imperative for Indigenous people to exercise self-awareness to mitigate further complications with Canada beyond what they are already purportedly facing. -PRAGYA RANDHAWA

Pam Palmater suggestions and reccomendations

2023-12-11 00:46:50 UTC

I agree with Pam Palmater when she said that Indigenous people cant trust Canada anymore, after all the hardships that Canada caused towards them, this conclusion is reasonable. The decision always rely in the hands of the federal government. At the same time, i also didagree with Pam. Stewardship will be difficult because of the situation the Indigenous are currently in. I feel that they will face more conundrum especially with how they are being treated. There could be new laws and policies that will further affect them negatively as they live in a way that is against what Canada wants them to. It is truly injust and unfair

-Gabriel L