Reflection #4

In this week’s lecture, we explored the importance of kinship in Indigenous communities

and what kinship meant to them. Pre-contact Indigenous people were dependent on one another

for survival. Kinship was vital because it shaped obligations and created balanced relationships

in Indigenous communities. Blood bonds were not the only determinates of family, but

connective kinships (community) were also considered family.

I found myself reflecting on the similarities and differences between Indigenous and

African customs. As a child, I would hear adults say that “it takes a village to raise a child.” I

never truly understood what this meant until I got involved in the African community. In my

culture, a child does not only belong to their nuclear family but the entire community. The

community is thus responsible for educating, advising, disciplining, and protecting the child.

Different from how women are viewed today, Indigenous women were not inferior to

men. Both women and men equally held important roles in the community. They had personal

autonomy, and both performed functions that were fundamental to the well-being of the

community. I found gender equality within Indigenous cultures very fascinating. Indigenous

people do not have a gendered language which meant that they had no gender roles. This is

different in my culture where both women and men are assigned gender roles from birth. In my

culture women are responsible for taking care of the household and the children. Authoritative

positions are mostly occupied by men as they are the breadwinners of the family.
 Before this week, I only knew of people pretending to be Black, but I was not aware that

non-Indigenous people also pretended to be indigenous. Pretending not only harms Indigenous

people but continues the cycle of racism and reopens wounds of colonial oppression. It is wrong

for people to claim Indigenous identity simply because they want to be part of that community or

gain access to Indigenous resources.

The usage of Indigenous art without their consent is an act of stealing a part of

Indigenous culture. I cannot imagine how I would feel as an artist if someone was making a

profit off my artwork without my permission. Art pieces carry the artist's perspectives, emotions,

and culture. Most artists sell their artwork to make a living so duplicating their work and selling

it not only hinders the artist's advancement but chances of making money.

Questions:

Are there Canadian organizations that look into people that are falsely claiming to be of

Indigenous heritage at school or in the workplace?

Since the mother spent most of the time with the child, did mothers have a stronger bond with

their children than fathers? (Parent-child relationship)