“Totem” Short Story
categories: English 11
In your opinion, based on the theme of this story, how has Canadian history and attitudes shaped the First People of Canada’s identity?
The effect on First Nations due to the treatment by settlers and government has been extreme. In my opinion, forcing them onto reserves and into residential schools has affected their identity because although they were in Canada first, the settlers forced them to move, attempted to silence them and treated them as if they were inferior. Each of these can have an impact on how they view themselves and their culture. Their identity as First Nations has not always been accepted and that may shape them to have a negative view on their identity and culture.