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Reflective Journal

PMAL103: Turtle Island, Canada, and the World

Name: Rohan Jayeshbhai Padhya (Y Section)

Professor Name: Richard E. Jaques (Nanawin)

Date: 1st October 2023

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A number of examples are given in the chapter "There is a place" of

King and Cardinal's 2010 book "Our story: Aboriginal voices on

Canada's past" to show the struggle for self-governance and the

shifting nature of Indigenous rights to the land after European contact.

The Struggle for Self-Governance

Historically, the Canadian aboriginals encountered significant

issues after their encounter with the Europeans. Such

communities used to live by themselves in isolated areas where

they thrived, majorly along the rivers and forests. These areas suit

their livelihoods and their economic activities which they passed

from one generation to the other. They lived happily and were

satisfied with their areas of residence. The aboriginals had self-

governance systems that enabled them to thrive within their

respective environments. However, things changed when the

visitors came in and established themselves within in the country

(Cardinal, 2010). The Europeans introduced many aspects which

threatened the existence and livelihoods of the Aboriginals. “Our

Story” is one of the books that sheds the light on the issues that

were faced by aboriginals. This paper specifically focuses on the

chapter named “There is a place” by Tantoo Cardinal. It focuses

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on a character named Adenaline and how she depicted the topic

regarding aboriginals’ right to land.

The chapter generally explored about Metis community, one

of the aboriginal communities in Canada. The protagonist in the

chapter is Francis who typically works on boats which he was

taught by the uncle. Francis decided to run away from home and

family after the demise of his wife (Cardinal, 2010). The chapter

narrates how he came back and talks about his adventure while

he was away and typically apologizing for being away for such a

long time. During the period, Francis went and worked at a farm

belonging to a man called Louis. In his childhood, Francis’ parents

passed away and he went to live with the grandfather who was

very abusive to him and to others as well. Among the many

characters within the chapter, Adeline stands out because of his

stance regarding the issues going on at the time. Adeline is

mother-in-law to Francis and appears to be a sympathetic

character towards Francis while at the same time telling him more

about the land frustrations that the Metis are going through due

to their encounter with the Europeans.

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land issues and rights were depicted as an issue through

conversation that Adeline had with Francis when he came back.

Adeline narrated about how they were given false promises by

the church and the government regarding the land issue. She told

Francis about relocation that happened courtesy of the Canadian

government and the Church. The authorities spread the word to

the Metis that they wanted to create a community to for the

aboriginals where they can enjoy and continue with their

livelihoods. There was a promise they the Metis would be given

another land after relocation where they can exclusively continue

with their livelihoods (Cardinal, 2010). This was evident through

the conversation between Francis and Adeline. The people were

persuaded by such a promise and quickly arranged to move out

of their residence as asked by the church and the government.

The merits where eager to live in their own community with no

interference from the visitors or the Europeans.

According to Adeline, they were promised of a community

whereby they would have their own schools and churches.

However, none of those promises was fulfilled. The Metis were

thrown out of their lands and they were not given titles. Instead, it

was allocated to Frenchmen.

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The sentiments by Adeline indicated that the aboriginals

were concerned about their land rights. They were beginning to

understand that the government and the churches could no

longer lie to them regarding their ancestral land. Especially, by

being a concerned woman at the time, Adeline depicted the role

that women played in informing others about their right to land.

Adeline outlined that they would never forget about what the

government and the church did to them regarding the land

(Cardinal, 2010). As per Francis’ narration, Adeline was full of

anger and was furious as she told Francis about the issue of how

they have been robbed off their land. The people had sold and

moved everything only to be lured and kicked out of their homes

which they enjoyed living together as a community. Adeline

represented a character who is ready to fight for their right to land.

Despite the challenges the Metis would face as they try to address

their land problem, the people at the time appeared to be more

enlightened and ready to ask for their land rights.

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The land meant everything to the aboriginals because of the

nature of their livelihoods. For instance, they engaged in hunting

and fishing as one of the primary cultural activities. They had deep

connection with the land and they considered it sacred. By being

chased away by the visitors or the intruders, it meant that their

livelihoods are at a significant risk. It is the reason why metis,

through Adeline’s character, were bitter and would not accept

such a discrimination to occur. Even though they had limited

power regarding what they can do to stop the land issue, they

were willing to air their voice and be heard by the churches and

the government at the time. Indeed, Adeline depicted a system

that was against Metis and other aboriginals living in Canada. The

government failed to recognize that the land was the most sacred

aspect for the aboriginals. As a result, fighting for their ancestral

land was an inevitable thing for the Metis. They had to stand up

against any land-related discrimination.

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References

Cardinal, T. (2010). There is a place. In King, T., Cardinal, T. & Highway,

T. (Ed.), Our Story: Aboriginals Voices on Canada’s Past (1st ed., pp. 99-

115). Anchor Canada. (Accessed Sept 30, 2023 @8:30 pm)