Aboriginal Spirituality Essay

763 Words4 Pages
Aboriginal spirituality is very complex in nature and has been evolving due to various influences at various periods of time. Aboriginal spirituality has varied systems of beliefs, such as: animism, and various different rituals, and customs. Furthermore, aboriginal spirituality has been impacted upon, for better or for worse, by various events- while in Canada-, including: The Oka Crisis, The Road to Nunavut, and negatively by the Residential Schools. Primarily, a big impact on aboriginal spirituality was “The Oka crisis,” which began on July 11, 1990. The Oka crisis was a land dispute between a group of Mohawk people and the town of Oka, Quebec, which wished to expand a golf course into disputed land, that included a Mohawk burial ground. The result of this caused one death, and a fierce stand-off between the provincial government and the Mohawks, joined by other native people.. The crisis ended with a resolution which caused the expansion of the golf course to stop, and this had a big positive effect on aboriginal spirituality. The Mohawks, and other natives, were able to voice their demands and were ‘heard’ by the government, which is contrary to what usually occurs. Aboriginal Spirituality took a stand during this event- metaphorically speaking- and this event gave courage and made native demands heard, in other words, The Oka crisis gave aboriginal people a voice, and courage to speak for themselves, their customs, and their native spirituality. This in result, has played a huge effect on aboriginal spirituality, since now, aboriginals will be able to practise their faith freely, and speak out against any injustices done, creating a brighter future for all of them. Furthermore, the creation of the province of Nunavut has also made a huge impact on aboriginal spirituality. Nunavut was officially created on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act, but the
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