The class readings present some critical aspects of the First Nations in Canada. These are various aboriginal groups living in British Columbia and Ontario. In the book First Nations in the Twenty-First Century, the reader observes the continued developments and repercussions of cultural infiltration and colonialism in the country.
Throughout the period, the First Nations people encountered intergenerational trauma, thus affecting their abilities and developments. This outstanding fact helps the reader examine the nature of life and experience of the First Nations in Canada.
What comes out is that the people had a complex and unpredictable relationship with the other groups in the country, such as the Inuit (Frideres 37). However, such relationships and interactions have constantly evolved over the past century.
The other interesting fact about the First Nations is that they have a unique historical past. The people were reserved based on their cultural practices and ideas. As well, it is interesting to realize how the First Nations passed across their ideas and historical events through narrations and oral traditions (Frideres 59). Most of these oral traditions are important because they describe most of the significant events and happenings during the period.
The people also have a written history. This written history began in the last years of the 15th century after the arrival of the first Europeans. Such facts and developments are, therefore, necessary because they have made it easier for me to understand much about the historical past and experiences of the aboriginal peoples of Canada.
I have also learned much about people’s traditions. For example, the “Seven Sacred Directions” presents numerous aspects and ideas about the First Nations. For instance, the Medicine Wheel has four unique directions. Such directions present many things, such as the importance of balance in our universe and the reason we should understand ourselves much better.
Such teachings are necessary because they paint a true picture of the First Nations and their past. As well, the reader gets a lot of knowledge about people’s beliefs, traditional practices, and experiences from the 15th century. Such teachings made it easier for every person to respect life.
People also interacted well with each other in society. From such readings, I have clearly understood how the First Nations managed to establish their traditions and practices despite the external influences from the other ethnic groups and colonialists (Frideres 103).
I find most of these teachings and information useful. As a student, I have learned much about the experiences of the First Nations peoples in the history of Canada. These individuals encountered various challenges on their reserves but still managed to retain their cultural ideas and traditions (Frideres 74). They even tried to establish their federal responsibilities to survive. They encountered various economic upheavals and bureaucracies in society.
Much recently, there have been various legislations and court decisions aimed at reshaping the relationship between the group and the rest of the citizens. These readings have presented numerous insights about the experiences of the aboriginals, especially after the first Europeans came into the country. That being the case, I would recommend these class materials because they offer useful facts and information about the interesting history of the First Nations.
Works Cited
Frideres, James. First Nations in the Twenty-First Century. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011. Print.