Canada’s hidden past : the commodification and erasure of First Nations culture
Tourists from around the world fly into the Vancouver International Airport looking to explore Vancouver’s beautiful scenery and culture. As they step off their planes and enter the airport travelers see the large marvelous First Nations art pieces located near the baggage claim. Although these pieces from First Nation artists are now recognized as a staple piece of Canadian culture to be enjoyed by travelers and locals alike this unfortunately was not always the case. For many years previous, First Nations people were deemed outsiders in the eyes of European colonialists. Even to this day First Nations people face racial discrimination and profiling in modern day Canadian society. Canadian history is filled with numerous attempts to erase First Nations people and their culture from Canada through violence and social differentiation. These attempts were manifested in numerous different acts throughout Canadian history. One of the most well-known acts of assimilation and racial discrimination were residential schools. These schools attempted to “remove the Indian from the child” which left First Nations children with a feeling that they didn’t belong in either indigenous or European society which have had scarring effects that have lasted for generations. These schools also caused widespread physical and mental abuse through the practices of assimilation. These attempts were further manifested in the laws that were enforced that stripped indigenous people of their and land and rights within the nation. European colonialists represented First Nations people as the “other” ; who is backward and uncivilized which in turn propelled European society and the construction of a white Canada to be viewed as enlightened and civilized. The erasure of First Nations culture and practices has caused feelings of displacement and alienation within the Canadian nation. Unfortunately these structures of racial hierarchy still exists to this day in Canada as they continue to impede the way First Nations people can function in Canadian society . How this relates to travel and tourism is that Canadian government and corporations now pretend that First Nations people were always equal agents in Canadian society. First Nations culture, stories and art work are now com-modified and sold as attractions, souvenirs and experiences to draw in tourists from around the globe, yet there is seldom recognition for all of the terrible acts of violence and erasure that occurred through colonization of Canada. The commodification of First Nations culture and practices can be seen from the moment a traveler steps into an airport; from the advertisements for attractions around Vancouver to artwork and souvenirs the exploitation of culture is everywhere. While Vancouver makes use of the idealized pieces of First Nations history such as art work and traditions and ceremonies which appeal to travelers they would never highlight the unjust conditions many First Nations’ people have to live with daily in Canada . First Nations people struggle with poor quality housing ,under funded schools and racial discrimination just to name a few but these problems have been erased by society and are hidden from the travelers and tourists that come to visit and experience what Canada is all about.