Chapter 5: Colonial History and Legacy

Chapter Overview

European colonization of Turtle Island is the focus of this chapter. The Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius are presented as the foundation upon which Indigenous people were dehumanized and land was taken. The Royal Proclamation of 1763, the Indian Act, and the response to the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples are examined as tools of ongoing colonization. Learning the truth about Canadian history can be emotionally challenging. Smudging and the Four Sacred Medicines are offered in the Elder Teaching as a way for us all to heal. Reflective questions and activities based on the four quadrants of the Medicine Wheel are provided, along with further recommended material for viewing, listening, and reading.