Colonization & Decolonization

Definitions In pairs, brainstorm and define the following terms: Colonialism Colonization Ethnocentrism Decolonization

Definitions: Colonialism What is Colonialism? A mother country gets full or partial control over another country, sends colonists to live there, and benefits from it economically.

Definitions: Colonization “to colonize” means to create a colony in or on (a place) or to take control of (an area) and send people to live there.   For example, right now, scientists are discussing whether or not humans could colonize the planet Mars.    In the past, both Britain and France sent people to colonize Canada on behalf of their countries.    Often there are already indigenous people living on the land that is being colonized.  The actions of the people who come to create the colony (colonizers) has created a lot of conflict between cultures, including wars. 

Definition: Colonialization Canada now recognizes that European people came to North America to colonize the land and in doing so, over time, they took away the rights of the First Nations peoples and attempted to destroy their culture.  Now, the definition of “colonize” within Canada also means a group of people has been oppressed and encroached upon by a more powerful group of people.     Other forms of the word: Colonization (noun) / Colonizer (noun, person) 

Definitions: Ethnocentrism What is Ethnocentrism? Treating one’s own culture above others. Terms of ethnocentrism include "divine nation", “God’s Own Country", “God’s Chosen People", and "God's Promised Land“.

Definitions: Decolonization What is Decolonization? The mother country stops controlling the indigenous population. They are encouraged to regain their own ways of life, language, etc. A future which includes both the indigenous people and the colonists must be decided.

History of Colonization When the United Nations was established in 1945, 750 million lived in colonized Territories / countries. Today, fewer than 2 million people live in colonized Territories. Over 80 former colonies have achieved independence. There are 17 colonized Territories remaining today.

United Nations Decolonization Maps

Game Colonization and Decolonization Simulation Game (Mars)

Some Countries and Groups Colonized Countries / Groups Colonized Colonizing Countries Canada and United States (Indigenous Peoples) Britain (France) Australia (Indigenous Peoples) Britain India South Africa (and other African countries) New Zealand Philippines Spain Ukraine Russia

They Took the Children Away Song lyrics and music video Where was this? The Rabbit Proof Fence (movie)

Colonization in Canada Timeline Colonization Interactive Timeline (the Canadian Encyclopedia)

Colonization in Canada “Four Faces of the Moon”- Canada’s Dark Colonial Past (Animated Short Doc) by Amanda Strong From CBC Docs This animated documentary follows the journey of an Indigenous photographer as she travels through time. She witnesses moments in her family's history and strengthens her connection to her Metis, Cree and Anishnaabe ancestors. This is a personal story told through the eyes of director and writer Amanda Strong. The oral and written history of her family reveals the story — we witness the impact and legacy of the railways, the slaughter of the buffalo and colonial land policies.

Trapped in a Human Zoo “Trapped in a Human Zoo” The Nature of Things on CBC

Pocahontas What are stereotypes seen in Pocahontas and other media? “Savages” “Noble Savage” “Warrior” “Indian Princess” “Fallen Indian Princess”

Continuing Stereotypes Continuing Stereotypes? Ad poster for Status cards in Canada, 2018 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/inac-indigenous-stereotype-poster-1.4489867

Pocahontas Look for the biases and stereotypes: In the movie “Pocahontas,” how were the colonizers portrayed? (As heroes or villains?) How were the Indigenous people portrayed? 

The Reel Injun documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNZBpn9asng

Blanket Activity

Decolonization Crash Course: Decolonization and Nationalism

Sources Canadian Encyclopedia http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca United Nations Decolonization http://www.un.org/en/decolonization/charter.shtml