Hoa 1

Thalia Hoa

Ms. Balikis

EFP 11

November 6, 2023

We Didn’t Choose To Be Called Indigenous’ Theme

In We Didn’t Choose To Be Called Indigenous, the theme is “knowing what mistakes

Canada has made in the past, why they were mistakes, and how they have shaped our present

will ensure that we stop paternalistic, colonial patterns from repeating.” It revolved around a

severe examination of Canada's historical mistakes, the profound consequences of those faults,

and the need to acknowledge them to break free from paternalistic and colonial models. This

topic highlights the significance of acknowledging historical injustices, such as the forced

assimilation of the Indigenous with the Europeans and the residential school system. “We have

been, and continue to be, defined by settlers.”, “Canada’s control of us—down to the very names

we bear—reflects this paternalism and colonialism in action.” The way Canada approached

Indigenous issues was paternalistic and colonial—the country forced the identities of Indigenous

peoples instead of listening to them. The term “Indian” used in the Constitution Act of 1867

represents a homogenous group of Indigenous nations, a model for the paternalistic relationship.

The Indian Act renamed Native tribes, established reserves, and introduced a residential school

system, destroying their cultures and languages. The term “blood quantum” is another colonial

construct that determines Indian identities based on “full-blooded” ancestors. The problem is that

it aims to reduce the Native population and enable the government to deny treaty rights as it

shifts tribal identities into percentages. Throughout the article, The Walrus also lists several
 Hoa 2

actions Canadians can take to support reconciliation, creating a sense of urgency and

responsibility. Reconciliation in Canada is a complicated process that includes both civil and

personal commitments. Canadians can encourage federal leaders to comply with the Truth and

Reconciliation Commission’s calls, support endangered language restoration, and demand

respect for land claims. They can educate themselves on Indigenous realities, learn treaty history,

and teach Indigenous languages to their children. Overall, We Didn't Choose To Be Called

Indigenous explores Canada's past mistakes and their impact on Indigenous peoples. To

summarize, the road to reconciliation will be full of challenges and obstacles to overcome, but

we can do it if we believe in ourselves and our communities.

 Hoa 3

Works Cited

Lefebvre, Mel, and Alicia Elliott. “We Didn’t Choose to Be Called Indigenous| The Walrus.”

Thewalrus.ca, 4 Oct. 2017, thewalrus.ca/we-didnt-choose-to-be-called-indigenous/.

Accessed September 28, 2023.