How colonial power shaped Indigenous art and culture

The art and culture of the Indigenous peoples of Canada encompasses the distinctive cultures, languages, music, and arts of the Inuit, Métis, and First Nations, who represent roughly 5% of Canada's population; there are over 600 recognized First Nations governments or bands.

2 articles, 1 book · about 1 hr 1 min of reading and viewing

The reading path

1. Read
   

   the art and culture of the indigenous peoples of canada · Wikipedia · 58 min read

   Indigenous cultural areas are based on their ancestors' primary lifeway at the time of European contact. These areas correspond closely with Canada's physical and ecological regions. The residential school system was the Canadian government's final assimilation strategy, intended to lead Indigenous children from their communities into "higher civilization" and "full citizenship." Beginning in 1874 and lasting until 1996, the government and dominant Christian Churches ran 130 residential boarding schools across Canada for Indigenous children.

2. Read
   

   More than 100 works from Canada's federal collection of Indigenous art are 'unaccounted for' · The Art Newspaper · 3 min read

   Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun, of Cowichan (Hul'q'umi'num Coast Salish) and Okanagan (Syilx) descent, says the Indigenous Art Centre should be shut down, linking its handling of Indigenous art to government incompetence: "The Indigenous Art Centre should be shut down. There are institutions that can do a better job and be more responsible for native art." Cory Dingle, executive director of the Norval Morrisseau estate, says of Indigenous art in Canada, "We see this as a positive moment in Canada's continuing cultural evolution, an opportunity to recognize that our art, history and cultural heritage deserve serious protection and investment."

3. Book
   

   The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America · Bookshop.org

   The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King is a critical and personal meditation on what it means to be "Indian" in North America, weaving the circular tale of the relationship between non-Natives and Natives since their first encounter.

Book links are Bookshop.org affiliate links. Curiate may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you — Bookshop.org also gives a share to independent bookshops.