ds them.[2] Hence, the state rebranded the Indian to be inherently inferior and unable to think for themselves so the Europeans, “master race”, had to do it for them.
Prior to European contact, the Aboriginal culture were matrilineal, meaning the mother's lineage held significant power through property, status and inheritance. [3] However, following European contact, the societal system was shifted to the patriarchal structure where the power and status is through the father’s lineage.[4] Thus, the European patriarchal norms dismantled and belittled the Aboriginal traditional and its women and further proved the Indians needed to be civilized. The Aboriginal mother were “political pawns” and blamed for the children’s problem thus, according to the Eurocentric view they were “un-fit” mothers. As they were portrayed as ignorant about motherhood, the state removed around twenty thousand Aboriginal children from their home to be sold to non-Aboriginal families. The mothers was judged through the European gaze so as …show more content…
Multiple times within the novel Campbell or her peers give into the prejudice that they have been oppressed with. For example Sophia, who Campbell commented on her stating that “she had let herself believe she was merely a ‘no good Halfbreed’” since she had been told that by institutions and peers. Another example was when Alex, a Metis school boy, “act(ed) retarded because the whites thought we (they) were anyway.” Aboriginals are pressured act according to stereotypical images hence reinforcing them. Campbell, too, adjusted her appearance and behavior to fit the stereotype as she had to “act ignorant, timid” and wear the “welfare coat” in order to receive governmental assistance. Likewise, this is common with marginalized communities as they have to subject themselves and their community to scrutiny and racial prejudice of the state or authority for
Prior to European contact, the Aboriginal culture were matrilineal, meaning the mother's lineage held significant power through property, status and inheritance. [3] However, following European contact, the societal system was shifted to the patriarchal structure where the power and status is through the father’s lineage.[4] Thus, the European patriarchal norms dismantled and belittled the Aboriginal traditional and its women and further proved the Indians needed to be civilized. The Aboriginal mother were “political pawns” and blamed for the children’s problem thus, according to the Eurocentric view they were “un-fit” mothers. As they were portrayed as ignorant about motherhood, the state removed around twenty thousand Aboriginal children from their home to be sold to non-Aboriginal families. The mothers was judged through the European gaze so as …show more content…
Multiple times within the novel Campbell or her peers give into the prejudice that they have been oppressed with. For example Sophia, who Campbell commented on her stating that “she had let herself believe she was merely a ‘no good Halfbreed’” since she had been told that by institutions and peers. Another example was when Alex, a Metis school boy, “act(ed) retarded because the whites thought we (they) were anyway.” Aboriginals are pressured act according to stereotypical images hence reinforcing them. Campbell, too, adjusted her appearance and behavior to fit the stereotype as she had to “act ignorant, timid” and wear the “welfare coat” in order to receive governmental assistance. Likewise, this is common with marginalized communities as they have to subject themselves and their community to scrutiny and racial prejudice of the state or authority for