Reflection #4: Engaging Indigenous Resurgence and Reconciliation

Resurgence and reconciliation are the two main perspectives of studying and

analyzing Indigenous-Settler relations on the ground, in policy making, and in research.

Reconciliation refers to the practices of forgiveness between Native and Settler governments

through diplomatic negotiations, whereas resurgence refers to Native self-determination and

cultural revival. This week’s readings have given me the opportunity to critically and

constructively evaluate these two schools from various perspectives and lived experiences.

In my interaction with both subject through the various study resources, the concept of

indigenous resurgence itself fascinated me. In my opinion, “Indigenous resurgence” is based on

three assumptions: (1) that colonialism is an influential structure of subjugation based, at its core,

on Native peoples marginalization; (2) that the existing socially constructed environment

continues to reflect this view; and (3) that Indigenous peoples should thus turn away from this

toxic environment and promote unbiased programs of cultural and social restoration. As a result,

the primary movement endorsed by the resurgence framework therefore seems to be one of

disconnection from the colonialist order.

Indigenous resurgence, a new field of study, represents a radical practice in Indigenous

theorizing, writing, organizing, and thinking, one that I believe is completely in line with and

inherently from Indigenous thought. Indigenous people are encouraged to recognize and act on

their relationships and responsibilities to land, culture, and community through daily acts of

resurgence. Besides that, acts of resurgence challenge continued erasures of Native peoples from

landscapes by trying to reclaim urban and other Indigenous places. According to

“Contextualizing Our Questions/Explorations” “Indigenous resurgence is a sign and means of

sovereignty” characterized by cultural practices and traditions that include honouring the elders

and resistant activities such as social and political protests , educational restructuring, political

sovereignty post-colonial consciousness and many more radical activities geared towards

supporting indigenous sovereignty.

According to the 5th edition of Visions of the Heart, there has been a radical shift in

academic attention to ‘Indigenous resurgence' over the last twenty years. While the phrase is

used in different contexts, it commonly refers to scholarship, forms of advocacy, nation-building,

and hypothesizing based on Indigenous philosophies, intellectual traditions, laws, and

relationships with creation. Importantly, the ideas, ethics, and values that these sources generate

are embodied in daily life; thus, resurgence is a practice or lifestyle in which the ends and means

are not markedly different from one another, but are one and the same. What follows is a

collection of writings based on the belief that Indigenous visions of the future cannot be realized

simply by aligning Indigenous ideals and aspirations with those of Canadian society, but also by

continuing to work towards the radical transformation necessary for successful implementation

of the aspects of relationship that Native peoples desire.

Within the movement, there is an critical secondary drive that pushes in the opposite direction. It

sees further engagement as both a long-term goal (in the form of renewed decolonization

discourse) and an immediate importance to expose and eliminate barriers to

reciprocal dialogue). In "Imagining New Futures: Concluding Dialogue," David Long states that

it is critical for Canadians to confront the ugliness of the "Indian Residential School chapter" in

Canada's colonial history. Canada's approach to reconciliation has not only left the colonial past
and present largely intact and without meaningful redress, but it has also failed to provide

meaningful redress is a failure in many ways to build upon the wisdom and strengths of

Indigenous traditions and teachings, honour Indigenous peoples’ agency, and acknowledge the

significance and ascendency of Indigenous resurgence. John Ralston Saul in is video titled “The

resurgence of indigenous power” argues that, as indigenous peoples gain more power in this

country, non-indigenous Canadians face a critical decision of embracing resurgence. He argues

that numerous Canadian governments have repeatedly mistreated aboriginals more than any

other group on various levels, a fact that is not good in the long run. Saul argues that Canadians

must decide whether they will take a stand, but, regardless, there will be a comeback by

Aboriginal Peoples into positions of power, influence and leadership. He cited the rise in the

number of Aboriginals attending university as an indicator of this growing power.

I have learned that if colonization was a force that separated people from their native

lands, cultures, and communities, then resurgence is about reuniting people with their ancestral

roots. Both decolonization and resurgence facilitate a revival of our roles and responsibilities as

Native peoples in relation to the sustainable theory and practice of Indigenous livelihoods,

sustainable development, community governance, and relationships to the natural environment

and ritualistic life, which allows for the propagation of these cultural norms to coming

generations. Going forward, I will position truth before reconciliation, challenging the notion of

white supremacy in Canada that perpetuates anti-Indigenous racism. The various course

materials have expanded my knowledge on indigenous resurgence a way of fighting back

contrived terminology like reconciliation, and decolonization that many in mainstream scholarly

realms have become accustomed to.

References

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-IeJPhLxUs