9 Indigenous Peoples in English-speaking Countries
Learn about indigenous peoples in English-speaking countries.
50 min
6 oppgaver
Native AmericansMāoriAboriginal peoples
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Indigenous Peoples: Past and Present
Urfolk har bodd i disse landene i tusenvis av ar for europeere ankom. Deres historier er preget av kolonisering, motstand og overlevelelse. I dag kjemper urfolk for rettigheter, anerkjennelse og bevaring av kultur.
Indigenous Peoples in English-speaking Countries:
- USA: Native Americans / American Indians (574 federally recognized tribes)
- Canada: First Nations, Inuit, Metis
- Australia: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- New Zealand: Maori
- UK: No indigenous peoples in same sense, but Celtic peoples pre-date Anglo-Saxons
Key Terms:
- Indigenous: Originating naturally in a place; native peoples
- Colonization: Taking control of an area and its people
- Assimilation: Forcing minority culture to adopt majority culture
- Sovereignty: Self-governance and independence
Historical Impact of Colonization
Common Patterns Across Countries:
Dispossession:
- Land taken through treaties (often broken) or force
- Reservations/reserves with limited resources
- Sacred sites destroyed or restricted
Cultural Destruction:
- Languages banned
- Boarding schools/residential schools
- Children removed from families
- Religious practices forbidden
Population Decline:
- Diseases (smallpox, measles)
- Warfare and massacre
- Starvation from land loss
- Example: Native American population fell from 10+ million to 250,000
Australia - Stolen Generations:
- Aboriginal children forcibly removed (1910-1970)
- Placed with white families or institutions
- Aimed to "breed out" indigenous culture
- Government apology in 2008
Canada - Residential Schools:
- 150,000+ children taken
- Abuse widespread
- Thousands died
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2008-2015)
USA - Indian Boarding Schools:
- "Kill the Indian, save the man"
- Forced English, Christianity, Western dress
- Similar trauma patterns
Indigenous Cultures and Contemporary Issues
Cultural Elements (varied by group):
- Oral traditions and storytelling
- Connection to land and nature
- Spiritual practices and ceremonies
- Art forms (totem poles, dot painting, carving)
- Communal decision-making
- Oral traditions and storytelling
- Connection to land and nature
- Spiritual practices and ceremonies
- Art forms (totem poles, dot painting, carving)
- Communal decision-making
Contemporary Challenges:
- Higher rates of poverty
- Health disparities (lower life expectancy)
- Educational gaps
- Over-representation in justice system
- Loss of languages (many endangered)
- Climate change affecting traditional lands
Rights and Recognition:
- UN Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007)
- Land rights movements
- Truth and reconciliation processes
- Cultural revitalization efforts
- Political representation increasing
Success Stories:
- Maori language revival in New Zealand
- Native American casino economies
- Indigenous artists gaining recognition
- Land back movements
- Environmental activism (Standing Rock, etc.)
✏️Example: The Maori of New Zealand
Beskriv maorienes situasjon og hvordan New Zealand har arbeidet med forsoning.
The Maori - A Closer Look:
History:
- Arrived in New Zealand ~1300 AD
- Complex society with tribes (iwi), language, and culture
- Treaty of Waitangi (1840) - agreement with British
- Treaty was interpreted differently by each side
- Land confiscation, warfare, marginalization followed
The Treaty of Waitangi:
- English version: Maori gave sovereignty to Britain
- Maori version: Maori retained authority over their affairs
- This mistranslation caused lasting conflict
Contemporary Maori:
- ~17% of New Zealand population
- Maori is official language (Te Reo)
- Maori taught in schools, TV channels, signage
- Waitangi Tribunal addresses historical grievances
- Cultural renaissance since 1970s
Reconciliation Efforts:
- Treaty settlements (land, money, apologies)
- Maori representation in Parliament
- Cultural integration (haka at events, place names)
- Ongoing challenges with health, education gaps
Comparison with Other Countries:
New Zealand is often seen as more progressive in indigenous relations, though inequalities persist. The Treaty provides a legal basis for claims that other countries lack.
Key Point:
Reconciliation is an ongoing process, not a single event. It requires acknowledging history, addressing present inequalities, and supporting cultural survival.
📝Oppgave 1
Match the indigenous group with the correct country:
a
Maori
b
Inuit
c
Aboriginal peoples
d
Cherokee, Navajo, Sioux
📝Oppgave 2
Define and explain these terms in your own words:
a
Assimilation
b
Stolen Generations
c
Reconciliation
📝Oppgave 3
Compare indigenous peoples in English-speaking countries with the Sami in Norway:
a
What historical experiences do they share?
b
What rights and recognition do the Sami have in Norway today?
c
What challenges remain for the Sami?
📝Oppgave 4
Research task: Choose ONE indigenous group and create a fact sheet including:
a
Traditional territory and way of life
b
Impact of colonization
c
Current situation and achievements
d
One cultural element you find interesting
📝Oppgave 5
Discussion: Read this statement and prepare your response.
Statement
"We shouldn't focus on the past. What happened to indigenous peoples was terrible, but we need to move forward, not keep apologizing."
a
What are the arguments for this view?
b
What are the arguments against this view?
c
What is your personal view?
📝Oppgave 6
Essay: "What can Norway learn from how other countries have handled reconciliation with indigenous peoples?" Write 300-400 words.