Colonialism was often accompanied by the destruction of Indigenous cultures as Europeans sought control over Indigenous peoples, lands and resources. This process of dispossession had enduring negative effects on their lives and their economic and political rights that are still playing out in the current moment. Meanwhile, Indigenous peoples have for centuries resisted these injustices in an effort to reclaim their cultural values and knowledge. This process of cultural reclamation is part of a wider agenda of contemporary decolonization.

In 2019, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a formal apology to California Native American Peoples for ‘the many instances of violence, mistreatment, and neglect inflicted upon California Native Americans throughout the state’s history’. Eleven years earlier, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd issued a formal apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for the harmful government policies inflicted upon them, particularly those of the Stolen Generations. Just this past July, Pope Francis issued a formal apology to Indigenous peoples in Canada for the Catholic Church’s participation in the forced assimilation policies of the Canadian government.

Using these and/or your own examples, discuss why cultural genocide happened? How do Eurocentric/Western practices and perspectives continue to impact Indigenous peoples and cultures today? Is it enough to recognize, acknowledge, and apologize for past mistreatment? What needs to be done? Be sure to use concrete examples and cite specific concepts, short quotes, and examples from the course materials (lectures, readings, videos) as evidence to support your own argument.

Possible Resources To Use

Rudd’s apology

https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/national-apology#:~:text=On%2013%20February%202008%20Prime,forced%20child%20removal%20and%20assimilation.

Newsom’s apology

https://www.gov.ca.gov/2019/06/18/governor-newsom-issues-apology-to-native-americans-for-states-historical-wrongdoings-establishes-truth-and-healing-council/#:~:text=SACRAMENTO%20%E2%80%93%20Governor%20Gavin%20Newsom%20today,Americans%20throughout%20the%20state’s%20history.

Pope’s apology to Indigenous people in Canada

https://www.npr.org/2022/07/28/1114207125/canada-pope-apology-indigenous

Recognition in Australia

https://theconversation.com/indigenous-recognition-is-more-than-a-voice-to-government-its-a-matter-of-political-equality-154057

https://www.sbs.com.au/language/nepali/en/article/what-does-indigenous-recognition-mean/6lkzkv1n3

Land acknowledgements

https://theconversation.com/land-acknowledgments-meant-to-honor-indigenous-people-too-often-do-the-opposite-erasing-american-indians-and-sanitizing-history-instead-163787

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/11/against-land-acknowledgements-native-american/620820/

Videos

https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/americas/100000008459873/pope-francis-apology-indigenous-canada.html

You MUST submit your final essay on course canvas using a word document or PDF format.

• This essay should be 1200 words, double spaced, using a 12-point font. This does not include your page of references.
• You must cite BOTH sources from class (lectures, readings, videos on course canvas) as well as outside sources. You should have 6-10 sources in total. Outside sources can be academic or news related but must come from reputable sites. Include in-text citations as well as a reference cited page at the end of your essay using either Chicago or MLA style, but please choose one and be consistent. Remember that citations are required for both paraphrasing and direct quotes from either texts or lecture (please keep direct quotes to one sentence). Please pay careful attention to spelling, grammar, and punctuation.