Colonialism and State Dependency
This paper conceptualizes colonialism from an indigenous perspective and analyses the effects of colonization on First Nations, with particular focus on explaining the fundamental roots of the psychophysical crises and dependency of First Nations upon the state. Central to its analysis is the effect...
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Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Health
2013
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ftunivictoriaojs:oai:journals.uvic.ca:article/12333 2023-05-15T16:15:00+02:00 Colonialism and State Dependency Alfred, Gerald Taiaiake 2013-06-04 https://journals.uvic.ca/index.php/ijih/article/view/12333 en eng Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Health https://journals.uvic.ca/index.php/ijih/article/view/12333 International Journal of Indigenous Health; Vol 5 No 2: Journal of Aboriginal Health; 42-60 2291-9376 2291-9368 info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion research-article 2013 ftunivictoriaojs 2020-12-02T19:57:11Z This paper conceptualizes colonialism from an indigenous perspective and analyses the effects of colonization on First Nations, with particular focus on explaining the fundamental roots of the psychophysical crises and dependency of First Nations upon the state. Central to its analysis is the effect of colonially-generated cultural disruptions that compound the effects of dispossession to create near total psychological, physical and financial dependency on the state. The paper argues that it is the cumulative and ongoing effects of this crisis of dependency that form the context of First Nations existences today. Social suffering, unresolved psychophysical harms of historical trauma and cultural dislocation are identified as the main sources of a crisis in which First Nations’ opportunities for self-sufficient, healthy and autonomous lives on individual and collective levels are extremely limited because Indigenous people have developed complexes of behaviour and mental attitudes that reflect their colonial situation. Through a review and consideration of the scholarly literature, it identifies a direct relationship between government laws and policies applied to Indigenous peoples and the myriad mental and physical health problems and economic deprivations. The paper concludes with a set of recommendations for developing policy responses to the situation which are oriented towards supporting and facilitating Indigenous people’s reconnection to their homelands, restoration of land-based cultural practices and the rebuilding of indigenous communities. Article in Journal/Newspaper First Nations University of Victoria (Canada): Journal Publishing Service |
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University of Victoria (Canada): Journal Publishing Service |
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English |
description |
This paper conceptualizes colonialism from an indigenous perspective and analyses the effects of colonization on First Nations, with particular focus on explaining the fundamental roots of the psychophysical crises and dependency of First Nations upon the state. Central to its analysis is the effect of colonially-generated cultural disruptions that compound the effects of dispossession to create near total psychological, physical and financial dependency on the state. The paper argues that it is the cumulative and ongoing effects of this crisis of dependency that form the context of First Nations existences today. Social suffering, unresolved psychophysical harms of historical trauma and cultural dislocation are identified as the main sources of a crisis in which First Nations’ opportunities for self-sufficient, healthy and autonomous lives on individual and collective levels are extremely limited because Indigenous people have developed complexes of behaviour and mental attitudes that reflect their colonial situation. Through a review and consideration of the scholarly literature, it identifies a direct relationship between government laws and policies applied to Indigenous peoples and the myriad mental and physical health problems and economic deprivations. The paper concludes with a set of recommendations for developing policy responses to the situation which are oriented towards supporting and facilitating Indigenous people’s reconnection to their homelands, restoration of land-based cultural practices and the rebuilding of indigenous communities. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Alfred, Gerald Taiaiake |
spellingShingle |
Alfred, Gerald Taiaiake Colonialism and State Dependency |
author_facet |
Alfred, Gerald Taiaiake |
author_sort |
Alfred, Gerald Taiaiake |
title |
Colonialism and State Dependency |
title_short |
Colonialism and State Dependency |
title_full |
Colonialism and State Dependency |
title_fullStr |
Colonialism and State Dependency |
title_full_unstemmed |
Colonialism and State Dependency |
title_sort |
colonialism and state dependency |
publisher |
Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Health |
publishDate |
2013 |
url |
https://journals.uvic.ca/index.php/ijih/article/view/12333 |
genre |
First Nations |
genre_facet |
First Nations |
op_source |
International Journal of Indigenous Health; Vol 5 No 2: Journal of Aboriginal Health; 42-60 2291-9376 2291-9368 |
op_relation |
https://journals.uvic.ca/index.php/ijih/article/view/12333 |
_version_ |
1766000735146737664 |