INTERVIEW ON SIR JOHN A MACDONALD’S CITIZEN

PERSON NAME (fictional): Cris Volchan

ETHNICITY: Aboriginal person

Interviewer: Can you tell us about your perspective on Sir John A. Macdonald and his impact
on Indigenous communities?

Indigenous Citizen: Certainly. From an Indigenous perspective, Sir John A. Macdonald

represents a complex figure in Canadian history. My family and I understood that he was the first
Prime Minister though, before he was a Prime Minister he was human, and it is my family and I
who felt like we weren’t treated as human, he made us feel trapped because of the culture with
the Pass system which made us need permission to leave our reserve.

Interviewer: Could you elaborate on some of those impacts?

Indigenous Citizen: Macdonald's government implemented policies such as the Indian Act,
which had devastating effects on Indigenous communities. The Act imposed restrictions on
Indigenous rights, including land ownership, cultural practices, and governance. Additionally,
his administration supported residential schools, which forcibly removed Indigenous children
from their families, leading to cultural trauma and intergenerational harm. With the school that
my child was forced to go to, it felt like we were forcingly erasing ourselves, everything our
culture represented was being washed away. I felt at the time, if everyone else in Canada can be
proud of who they are, why can’t we, what makes us different. The Act that made us require
permission before leaving our reserve made me think that I was in prison, like I was trapped.

Interviewer: How do you think Macdonald's legacy should be understood in modern times?

Indigenous Citizen: It's important to have a nuanced understanding of history. While

Macdonald's contributions to Canadian nation-building are acknowledged, his policies and
actions towards Indigenous peoples should be taken account for. His legacy should serve as a
reminder of the mixed opinions one can have. As I mentioned before, as he was a human before
being a prime minister, he should’ve looked at my community as human before.

KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE INTERVIEW

- Sir John A Macdonald had a positive impact on the lives of white Canadians, though had
a bad impact on the lives of aboriginal people
- He could been looked at as racist back in the day due to the laws he had created
 - Based on the ethnicity of one you were during that time, there would be mixed
perspectives of Sir John A. Macdonald
- We have to understand the time of this era, during this era it is safe to say that there was a
white supremacy and if you weren’t white then you weren’t as good.
- Overall, due to the compilations there are to Sir John A. Macdonald, there would be a
variety of perspectives of any person.

INTERVIEW WITH SIR JOHN A. MACDONALD

Interviewer: Sir John A. Macdonald, as the first Prime Minister of Canada, you held significant
power. How did you view your authority and leadership role?

Sir John A. Macdonald: Thank you for having me. I viewed my power as a means to achieve
national unity and prosperity for Canada. As Prime Minister, I believed in strong central
leadership to ensure stability and progress for our young nation.

Interviewer: Can you elaborate on your views regarding the role of government in society?

Sir John A. Macdonald: Certainly. I believed in a pragmatic approach to governance, where the
government plays a central role in fostering economic growth, infrastructure development, and
social stability. I saw government intervention as necessary to promote national interests and
address challenges facing our country.

Interviewer: How did you balance the exercise of power with democratic principles and
accountability?

Sir John A. Macdonald: Democracy and accountability were essential principles for me. While I
believed in strong leadership, I also recognized the importance of parliamentary democracy and
accountability to the people. I worked within the framework of our parliamentary system,
respecting the roles of elected representatives and engaging in open debate and discussion.

Interviewer: Some critics argue that your policies, such as the National Policy and the Indian
Act, were controversial. How do you respond to these criticisms?

Sir John A. Macdonald: Every policy decision has its supporters and critics. The National
Policy, for example, aimed to protect Canadian industries and promote economic growth.
Regarding Indigenous policies, I acknowledge that historical perspectives may differ, but my
intention was always to address challenges and promote progress for all Canadians. I can speak
for myself when I say, everything I did for Canada was in hopes of a better outcome. I
understand most people can’t agree and I am fine with that, as that is what a democracy is for.
Interviewer: In conclusion, how do you hope history remembers your leadership and
contributions to Canada?

Sir John A. Macdonald: I hope history remembers me as a leader who worked tirelessly for the
unity and prosperity of Canada. My goal was always to build a strong, diverse, and inclusive
nation, and I believe my contributions have helped shape the Canada we know today. Regardless
of where I was from, I saw potential in Canada and more importantly, I saw it as my own. Even
though I come from Scottish descent, in my heart, I am a Canadian as well.