Racialized People

I am writing about the racialization of "blacks in Canada in early Canada. The things I have found out are quite shocking to me.

Racialization Definition- To differentiate or categorize according to race (The Free Dictionary by Farlex, 2003)                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

                  In the year 1763 the treaty of Paris, France ceded the mainland North America east of the Mississippi to Great Britain. In doing so it strengthened slavery in Canada. Slavery thrived for centuries in Canada against many attempts to abolish it. When the loyalists fled to Canada they brought more slaves with them which only furthered the continuation of slavery. In 1793 Parliament brought a bill forward to promote the abolishing of slavery and this still did nothing. When the Americans had their civil war Canada told the African Americans they could have freedom if they left their owners and crossed British lines. A lot of blacks came across. With not knowing what to do about the growing numbers of blacks and the fact that they were neighbouring with black slaves, the government sent a majority of the African Americans to Nova Scotia.  Some remained there, but some fled to Africa because of the poor conditions they were living in, as well as promised land that was never given to them. (Winks, 2008)

 

After the Abolition of slavery people of black decent were treated as if they were lower class than the white race. They were segregated in the way of not being allowed to attend social institutions such as churches, and schools with the white community.  (Walker, 2008)

                This all is shocking to me. When we learn of our history this information is not brought to our attention. I always thought that Canada never had slavery and that we welcomed all people as equal into our country. I see so many things have change as of today, but I think racialization is still A very big concern in Canada today. I am glad I am doing this blog assignment as I think it will be very interesting to find out about Canadian history pertaining to different issues. 

 

Works Cited

The Free Dictionary by Farlex. (2003). Retrieved October 19, 2012, from Racialization-Definition of racialization by The free Online Dictionary, Thesauraus, and Encyclopedia: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/racialization

Walker, J. S. (2008). Lands And Settlement In Nova Scotia. In The History of Immigration and Racism in Canada: Essential Readings (pp. 49-68). Toronto, Ontario: Canadian Scholars' Press Inc.

Winks, R. W. (2008). Slavery, The Loyalists, And English Canada, 1760-1801. In The History of Immigration and racism in Canada: Essential Readings (pp. 27-40). Toronto,Ontario: Canadian Scholars' Press inc.

 By: Kate

Immigrants Entering Canada's Work Force

      Although with Canada being a multicultural country, immigrants are still faced with challenges to this day. Such challenges include : learning a new language, finding housing, accessing social services, creating social networks, racism, exclusion and discrimination. All of these challenges effect finding and keeping employment. Which, in return puts these immigrants in poverty.

      Along with these challenges is the devaluation of credentials. Employers sometimes shy away from hiring new immigrants and/or offering them less of a wage than non-immigrants wage. Employers often suspect these new immigrants to run into obstacles with the jobs offered.

      Furthermore, with the foreign work force increasing, finding employment has become more of a problem for new immigrants, creating a social stratification system that effects Canada's social structure.

      To help immigrants entering Canada's work force and contribute to society, the Canadian Multicultural Policy was introduced, in hopes to minimize the challenges new immigrants face.

      Social Services were then offered to these new immigrants, such as : teaching the new immigrants our language, assisting with housing and income support, education, finding employment and creating social networks (which helps these new immigrants share their culture).

      Overall, even with The Canadian Multicultural Policy, Immigrants still to this day face ongoing challenges that effect them not only in the work force but personally as well. For example, discrimination, racism, exclusion etc...


-Sharma, N. (Nov, 2001).On Being Not Canadian : The Social Organization Of "Migrant Workers" In Canada. Proquest. Oct. 18 2012, from http://search.proquest.com.libproxy.auc.ca/docview/234924568.

-Hick, S. (2007) Social Welfare In Canada : Understanding Income Security (Second Edition). Toronto, ST : Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc. (pgs. 181-201)


By:Sheri

Traditional Healing.. What is it? What Happend? Bringing it Back?

There was a time in my life where I had experienced a large amount of pain. Not only physical pain, but emotional, and spiritual pain. I had lost a loved one in my nuclear family, my grandfather had passed away. The amount of grief I experienced was overwhelming. I had difficulty breathing, lots of confusion, and could not eat properly. I was amazed at my physical reactions during this process. Mentally, I was clouded. It felt like I was stuck in a negative state, and could not move forward. Emotionally, it felt as if the pain was unbearable at times. Spiritually, I was disconnected and I began to blame my higher power for my loss. I began to ask, “Why is this happening to me?”
A good friend of mine explained that I was grieving. She advised me to approach a Traditional Healer and ask for a Cedar Bath. I was desperate to overcome my grief, so I followed her direction and began a journey I will never forget. This ceremony was the most incredible healing experience that I have ever received. Following the ceremony, I felt that I was reconnected with Mother Earth, my higher power, and most importantly, myself.
Traditional Healing provides a balance of mind, body, and spirit. It also recognizes healing for families and communities at risk. It provides a foundation to form a way of living and to approach life. These traditions cannot be learned in a classroom. It is necessary for indigenous people to be in touch with their Elders and healers. First Nation’s healing ceremonies are in direct opposition to Western Health concepts. We must find a way to use a holistic approach when assisting in Indigenous communities. All medicines can be discovered within Mother Earth; roots, tobacco, sage, sweet grass are some products that are used in healing ceremonies.
Other Healing Practices include smudging, sweat lodges, healing circles, potlatchs, and pipe ceremonies. Each of these practices contains a specific tradition in the way that the ceremony is preformed. Another practice is the Sundance, also called, rain dance, thirst dance, and medicine dance. These rituals involve drumming, singing, and dancing. It is an opportunity for man to dedicate himself to spiritual nature. The government suppressed these rituals in the 1880's and today there is a resurgence of these traditions.
In 1884 The Indian Act banned all traditional ceremonies and practices. If First Nations were discovered practicing, they were imprisoned. The act banned the Sundance and Potlachs. During that time laws were also enacted that required all First Nations children to attend residential schools. Assimilation began in earnest.
Duncan Cambell Scott served as Deputy Superintendant of the Department of Indian Affairs. On December 15th, 1921 he wrote a letter to his Indian Agents stating,
"it is observed with alarm that the holding of dances [healing ceremonies] by the


Indians on their reserves is on the increase, and that these practices tend to disorganize the efforts with the Department is putting forth to make them self-supporting” (Robins & Dewar, n.d. p. 4 ). This was one of the concerns that the Indian Act was enacted to address. When First Nations communities were allowed to practice their traditions they were more empowered and thus not as easily controlled by the government who hoped to assimilate these peoples. This ban was not lifted until 1951.
First Nations people are working extremely hard to keep their traditions alive and to discover more information they may have lost. There are several strategies to promote Traditional Healing: support and recognize Traditional Healers, recognize that misuse of First Nations traditions can be hurtful and is disrespectful, and to learn and respect the traditional tools that are used by Healers.
There are several strategies that can be used to maintain professionalism. Allow people to discover their own way in order to participate in a healing ceremony. In many instances Traditional healing can help in a way that no “pill” ever can.


Heather
    
Reference List:

Aboriginal Traditional Healing.Vancouver Coastal Health. Retrieved from
http://www.culturalcompetency.ca/downloads/aboriginal-traditional-medicine.pdf

Native Woman's Association of Canada.Aboriginal Woman And Traditional Healing.(2007). Retrieved from http://www.laa.gov.nl.ca/laa/naws/pdf/nwac_traditional_healing-jun1607.pdf

Ottawa University.(2009). Aborignal Medicine and Healing Practices. Retrieved from
http://www.med.uottawa.ca/sim/data/Aboriginal_Medicine_e.htm

Robbins,J., & Dewar,J. traditional International Indigenous Approaches to Healing and modern welfare of Traditional Knowlege, Spirituality and Lands: A critical reflection on practices and policies taken from the Canadian Indigenous Example, Volume 2. Retrieved from http://ir.lib.uwo.ca/iipj/vol2/iss4/2

Slavery in The Feudalism Era

Slavery is defined as "the state of one bound in servitude as the property of a slaveholder or household" (The Free Dictionary). In the Feudalism era, the Lords held all the power and competed with each other for more. The more power you had as a lord, the more control you had. The Lord's held power over the vassals, knight's and serfs (slaves), making them have all the control.

" Peasants were not part of the definition of feudalism since they were seen as degraded humanity, worthy only of providing a labor force for farming and military purposes, unworthy of notice and incapable of making an honorable social contribution" (Enotes, 2011). There was extreme inequality at this time and everyone had to depend on the Lords. They made the lives of their serfs very miserable to show off their power. Once you were born a serf, you stayed a serf. There was no way to achieve a higher status. The Lords did exchange a home and protection for the slaves services, but they still disrespected their feelings and emotions.

Living in Canada in the 21st century, I don't agree with inequality. To me, everyone is equal and we are made in the image and likeness of God. Slavery is harsh and cruel and no person should have to live a life of disrespect and unfairness. Everyone works hard to achieve a higher status and no one should be left degraded. We need to work to survive and support ourselves and families.

"The feudal agreement solved the social problem of landownership and military collaboration" (Enotes, 2011). "The national government did not protect the citizens, so the Lord said he would in exchange for the serfs producing goods for him" ( Yahoo answers, 2008). The Lord stepped up to protect the citizens but the serfs weren't considered honorable to social contributions, they were only used for producing goods.

From the Feudalism era to the 21st century, there has been a lot of changes all to better the lives and support each individual. Living in Canada, we are aware of freedom and equality, people have higher job status' but no one has higher power over your rights. No one is forced to slavery.


By: Alyssa

References:

Feudalism. (2011, November 26). Enotes. Retrieved from http://Enter Uwww.enotes.com/history/discuss/feudalism-115328RL

What Problems Did Feudalism Try To Solve? (2008). Yahoo! Answers. Retrieved from http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090209212756AAxBaGF

Definition of slavery. (n.d.). In Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary. Retrieved from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/slavery

Alcohol in Pre-industrial Europe

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Alcohol In Pre-industrial Europe  

 In the early 16^th century, drinking was a custom and ritual that helped confirm a man’s social standing and it “proved” he was a man. The men that were involved in this were mostly pre-industrial working classes.  Women did not participate in the drinking festivities but they could get their husbands banned from the tavern by misbehaving at their home.  (B.A. Tlusty 1994) Misbehaving could mean always coming home drunk, to becoming abusive to his wife and children when drunk.

Today drinking is still a custom for some groups of people.  For instance, some ethnic groups of people drink wine with dinner, or share a drink at special occasions.  However, drinking has become a socially acceptable behaviour, even though it is known that drinking to excess is not socially acceptable.  Young people will drink for something to do on the weekends. The teens of today have different drinking games that they will play to get as drunk as they can.

In today’s society, it doesn’t matter if you are poor, middle, or upper class, almost everyone drinks at some point in their life.  I’m not sure it is still for the drinker to feel masculine, because females are also drinking.   It probably makes the drinkers, both male and female, feel like they’re part of the group, especially as teenagers.  No longer can a wife have her husband banned from drinking in a tavern, it now takes a court order and probation to prohibit someone from drinking in a bar/tavern.

Back before the industrial revolution, drunkenness was generally accepted as part of human life (P. Anderson & B. Baumberg 2006), we still see this today.   It isn’t until you are drunk everyday that society will classify you as an alcoholic.  If you drink everyday, if you can’t take care of your family, miss work due to drinking, you spend all of your money on booze etc., these are indications of an alcoholic. Things have really changed over the years.  Alcoholism has become a huge problem in some societies, and a drain on the health care system.  It can destroy families.  

Who knew what fermenting vegetable scraps would evolve into after all these centuries?

By: Jeff

References:

Gender and Alcohol use in Early Modern Augsburg

BA Tlusty - Social History/Histoire Sociale, 1994

Anderson, P. & Baumberg, B. (2006) Alcohol in

Europe. London: Institute of Alcohol Studies.