Hey, everyone! My name is Angela Olivares and I am a third year English Literature Major at UBC. I’m really big on writing and reading, especially on both the classics, recently finished reading Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, and contemporary Young Adult novels, currently loving John Green’s Paper Towns. So my taste in books and interests definitely varies, but I’ll admit I’ve been very weak regarding topics of Canadian Literature, or anything Canadian studies in general. I was born in the Philippines and migrated in Vancouver about six years ago with my family. So I wasn’t raised in the culture and history of beautiful Canada, unfortunately. And it seemed that no amount of Socials Studies classes in high school or even Canadian Political Science courses have made me knowledgeable enough on Canadian studies.
But Dr. Erika Paterson’s ENG 470 Class on Canadian Studies and Literature Genres promises a look into the works of First Nations in the land of Canada. With insights of Indigenous Peoples and their colonial relationships with European settlers, tying in their relationship to give us a better understanding of the history that made Canada’s culture today. It gives importance to the stories about and told to by the Indigenous settlers in Canada, including those who were silenced, allowing us to learn and understand their background, journeys, and the literature they have shared, as well as the literature about them to fully educate us on their culture.
From my very limited understanding of Canadian history, the Indigenous settlers are the very backbone of Canadian history and they make up the foundation of our home and native land today. With this course, I’m hoping to fully learn more about Canadian histories regarding the early settlers; their journeys, struggles with oppression, and the distance that has come about between them and Canada itself, that wishfully would find true peace soon.
First Nations chiefs, 1867. (Click to enlarge)
Photo: Archives Canada (F. Dally)
I’ll admit how scared and intimidated I am by this class. Mostly because, again, I know little to nothing about Canada and its history or its people. (Also because I have never taken an online course before, so this is all very new to me). But I am very excited to learn about them, especially with a more authentic form of educating myself, with articles written scholarly about and by Aboriginals themselves. I’m thrilled to immerse myself in a whole different literary genre than I’m used to, to challenge myself more and expand my horizons and knowledge on all sorts of literature.
It’s been easy for me to define Canada’s culture as beautiful and unique, but in reality when asked, I’ll have very little to offer on what I really do know about it. I want to see and understand Canadian background as richly as possible, to truly grasp what the stories of First Nations are made up of.
Work Cited:
“Indigenous Foundations.” University of British Columbia. Web. 15 May 2015.
Dally, F.. First Nations Chiefs. 1867. Archives Canada. Indian Land. Web. 14 May 2015.
Hello Angela,
Welcome to our course of studies, and thank you for a well expressed introduction indeed. I realize this course could be a little intimidating; but you are not the only one coming in with little knowledge of Canadian history – and most especially histories concerning Indigenous peoples. Even the naming can be confusing, for example we use different terms: Indigenous, First Nations, Natives – but as we move along you will become more familiar with the terminologies. Another example is found in a quote from your blog:
“From my very limited understanding of Canadian history, the Indigenous settlers are the very backbone of Canadian history and they make up the foundation of our home and native land today.”
The term indigenous settlers does not work. These are two distinct groups: the Indigenous peoples and the settlers.
We will talk much more as the term progresses: Enjoy, Erika
Thank you for the welcome, Erika! And I understood my mistake regarding the terms as soon as I started reading Chamberlin’s book where I learned more about who the settlers are. I’m already glad I’m able to learn about these things and correct my knowledge or lack thereof, especially regarding distinctions of terms, knowing which are the rights ones to use and towards the right people.
Hi Angela,
Thanks for being honest in your first post. My family is from the Philippines too! I was born in Canada but I think it’s a really cool to be able to fully immerse yourself in two very unique cultures.
I think it’s a great thing to go into this class with less knowledge about Canadian history because it really allows for an open mind when learning about colonizing literature and Indigenous narratives. I love how eager you are to learn more… I feel the same way!
Cheers!
It really is, I’m glad to hear your family is encouraging you to learn about Filipino culture even if you were born here, I think that’s so important and amazing.
That’s a really inspiring insight, it helped feel a little more at ease about this course because you’re right, there is an advantage to minimal knowledge, at least I’ll be able to understand our Canadian studies more openly. I’m open to confusion and questions forming in my mind as we go along, but I think that’s the whole purpose of this course which is great. Thank you for your supporting words, Melissa!
Hi Angela!
While reading through your blog, I’ve really picked up that you are keen on learning true Canadian history, and eager to explore the raw history of this nation. Since you come from the Philippines and have less of a background in Canadian history, I really admire your pursuit to educating yourself about colonizers settling into North America. Many Canadians I know on a personal basis are very unaware of First Nation’s peoples stories, and oral history/tradition because it has digressed away from mainstream school curriculum in current, and past generations. You have a point of mentioning that Canadian governments, and First Nation’s people in Canada will “find true peace soon”. I must agree with you on that, as well as the link to the article. There is a shift happening throughout Canada, and Canadian governments are re-conciliating with First Nation bands for Aboriginal Title, and integrating Indigenous people into important decisions on land, rights and resources. Hope you enjoy the class, and hope you learn insightful information that will shed more light on the current state of affairs in Canada!
-Arianne LaBoissonniere
Canadian history in ties with Aboriginal’s relationship with the population today really interests me (hence why I made sure to include the article) so I’m so pleased to find a fellow classmate also interested and in agreement with the current situation between the Aboriginals and the rest of Canada! Thank you for your encouraging words, it helps me feel more comfortable in this class. I definitely look forward to our readings and lectures, for sure!