Sociological Perspective on Indigenous People in Canada

This article discusses the sociological perspective on Indigenous people in Canada. It also explores the concept of multiculturalism in Canada and its drawbacks. The article highlights the success of Canada's multiculturalism model.

Running head: SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN CANADA
SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN CANADA
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

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SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN CANADA
Answer to question 1:
Prior to joining the university, I had little knowledge about the Aboriginal community. I
had heard about the community in the news and during some conversations with my friends.
However, when I undertook the sociology course after joining the university, I had the
opportunity to learn better about the Aboriginal people and their culture. I now feel fortunate to
have shifted here because initially, I was reluctant and scared to come to a university in a foreign
country. I come from India and my culture is vastly different from the one that I had encountered
in the university. I was scared to come to Canada because I had heard a lot about the racism
faced by the minority people here and I belong to the minority. Nonetheless, I must also confess
the news about racism in Canada was marginal as compared to other countries like Australia, the
UK and US. Upon arriving in the country, I found that racism is prevalent here as well but it is
not as open as in other countries.
I have had the opportunity to make friends from the Aboriginal community in the
university and this has helped me gather firsthand knowledge about the community. I came to
know that the Aboriginal people are called the First-nation peoples because they were the
original inhabitants of the Canadian land (Anzovino, Oresar & Boutilier, 2018, pp.142-150). The
colonial rulers that arrived from the European countries gradually took over the land. I learned
more deeply about it when I read my course book, which had elaborate details about the
Indigenous people and their traditions.

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SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN CANADA
Answer to question 3:
In terms of multiculturalism, Canada has always stood as the greatest example owing to
its unique stance on the concept, different from other Western countries including its neighbor,
America. Polls conducted in recent years demonstrate that the core value of the Canadians is
multiculturalism as per majority of the people. Distinction between the multiculturalism
encouraged in Canada and the US is made with the use of two models of ‘acculturation’ –
mosaic model and melting pot model. The mosaic model is mostly used to refer to the
immigration and settlement policy of Canada wherein people coming from the outside are
allowed and supported to maintain their uniqueness. The melting pot model on the other hand,
refers to the American system of immigration and settlement wherein the newcomers are asked
to “dissolve that, which makes them different into a ‘pot’ mixed with everyone else (Anzovino,
Oresar & Boutilier, 2018, p. 194).
It is however important to state that the Canadian-style multiculturalism has some
drawbacks as well. The announcement by the German Chancellor, Angela Markel about the
failure of the so-called multikulti concept in 2010 brings forth the failures of the mosaic model
held so dearly by the Canadians. Encouraging the immigrants to “live side-by-side” joyfully, in
fact led to numerous incidences that included violence against women, formation of ethnic
ghettos and even homegrown terrorism (Anzovino, Oresar & Boutilier, 2018, p. 194). One of the
major drawbacks of the Canadian-style multiculturalism is that it results in increased clash of

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historically ethnic communities with the immigrants. Those challenging the multiculturalism
model put forward the claim that the model does not respect its population’s diversity because it
treats the different ethnic groups not as individuals but as prototypes. Apart from that, many
minority groups have also expressed that the multiculturalism model upheld by Canada has made
no difference. One example of that are the Colombian immigrants who responded that they
hardly associate with Colombian music or literature or culture.
Nonetheless, the Canadian-style multiculturalism has been able to attract the attention of
the world leaders in terms of its success in integrating such vast cultures without much trouble.
The success of this model is visible from the factors that make a modern democracy successful.
Canada is economically prosperous, its democracy is thriving and individual freedom is one of
the best in the world. Nelson Mandela, a world leader of peace and multiculturalism had also
considered Canada as the frontrunner in multiculturalism. The United Nations too has similar
praises for it. The prime benefit of Canada’s multiculturalism comes from the official recognition
of multiculturalism. This has allowed people to encourage and support multiculturalism not just
morally but legally as well. It provides a better sense of security for the minority groups. In 2016,
the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gave a speech about the importance integrating
multiculturalism in the country’s education systems. He mentioned that multiculturalism in
Canada does not weaken the democracy rather it would help the students understand that they do
not have to choose between their parent’s identity and Canada’s identity (Anzovino, Oresar &

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Boutilier, 2018, p. 202). The students would have the freedom to enjoy the benefits of both the
identities.

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References:
Anzovino, T., Oresar, J., & Boutilier, D. (2018). Walk a Mile: A Journey Towards Justice and
Equity in Canadian Society (2nd ed., pp. 142-202). Cengage.