What is your understanding of the term ‘cultural genocide’? What happens to people who are not permitted to celebrate their culture?

Question

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2. Residential School Survivor Ken Young says, “I was ashamed to be who I was because that’s what we were

taught.” As you see it, in what ways might shame hinder a person’s development and feelings of happiness?

3. Why do you think that some Indigenous leaders, when speaking of Residential School trauma, would also like the resiliency of Indigenous Peoples to be noted and celebrated? 

4.How is the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation a day that marks the truth and the resiliency of Residential School Survivors and their communities?

5. What is your understanding of the term ‘reconciliation’? What would reconciliation look like, if and when it is achieved? Explain.

6. Why do you suppose reconciliation is a process directed at non-Indigenous Canadians? What does reconciliation mean to you? Your class? Your school?

7. How has the Canadian government attempted to reconcile with Indigenous Peoples? Use two concrete examples.

Answer 1

What is your understanding of the term ‘cultural genocide’? What happens to people who are not permitted to celebrate their culture?

A cultural genocide is a term used for the literal destruction of a group of people's cultural identity. We see this in many forms, such as the forced conversion of many indigenous groups to Catholicism with the discovery of the "New World" and even as far as Japan which saw attempted cultural changes by European powers in the late 1500's all the way until the Edo Period.

The second part to your question is more open to interpretation, and depends wildly upon what is being forced upon them and by whom. If for example, it is a forced conversion to a new religion, depending upon the time period that may have lead to the death of that person, or group. Look for example at the Taino peoples, whose culture, and indeed religion was stamped out by the Spanish in the 1500's. There is also this effort by some cultures to see others as "inferior" whether that be racially such as with the racism that took place in the American South, or the Christian ideals of religious and cultural superiority that took place during the Crusades.

I hope that helps somewhat answer your questions, if you would like to discuss further, please do reach out.

Best,

Colin