Throughout chapter one I found it difficult to remain open-minded to the ideas being presented. As the author began to address issues of politics, economics, education, and equality i quickly became aggravated due to the experiences the people of Attawapiskat First Nations were being faced with. I was absolutely shocked to see the complete disregard for basic human needs that were occuring in Canada in the 21st century. During my time in elementary school I attended two seperate schools, both with more than adequate conditions, friendly peers and staff, playstructures, gymnasiums and all the things that are expected to be in a place of learning. I could not believe that the children of Attawapiskat were not only lacking a proper school, but lacking a safe environment to learn. (p.5) I am not sure how the government can knowingly allow communities to operate on land that is known to be lacking dangerous fumes in the 21st century. The school was shut down only to have a "temporary school" built bordering the land that had been deemed unsafe. (p.5) It is not the job of teenagers like Shannen Koostachin to protect their communities human rights. Shannen's dream was for equal education for First Nations. (pg. 6) The fact that she has to ask for equality specifically for First Nations shows the economic, social and political inequality that still faces these people today. It seems that as a society we see Aboriginal Peoples as the lower class, when they are Canadians who deserved and have the right for the same opportunities that are awarded to all Canadians, whether they live in the city centres or on the outskirts. Education and safety have been stated by our political parties to be a basic right for all Canadians, I do not understand how, with this condition in place, they are able to over look the needs in Attawapiskat. Children and families are forced off of the reserves to gain a proper education but as they move into the cities to try and elevate their opportunities they are met with the inequality due to social structures that make people feel ostracized if they do not fit into the norm of the "white culture." (p.6) If we look at this in its entirety as Canadians we are first allowing our government to deny the basic needs to our fellow Canadians, we are then making them feel like outsiders as they try to do what all of us do, make a better life for ourselves and this is because of the social and political structure that Canadians are so proud of. It seems wrong to me that a country that prides itself on multiculturalism is making children feel they need to defend themselves when they feel pride in their culture. In a speech made by Shannen Koostachin she spoke about the difficulties these communities faced in being proud of a culture that could not provide the basic necessities to their children. (p. 11) In my opinion, this is just not right. Children should not have to fight for what should be given to them as a right.
My question is; if we as educators are going to make a change and help be the voice for the children and families what is it that we can do? There have been discussion that something should be done by the federal government, or the provincial government. Some suggest we need an overhaul of the Indian Act, others suggest an overhaul of the political situation in Canada but all of these suggestions do not really create the change that the people in places like Attawapiskat need. What is something we as individual future educators can do to help ensure that more students in the years to come are not forced to learn in freezing classroom, in dangerous and hazardous areas?
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