Today I have another reason for showing this photo.
This photo illustrates one of the negative aspects of society What does this photo tell us?
So take a look at what this photo may say. Let's hear some opinions . Maybe we could get an argument going here!
The only thing I notice about this picture is that the Inuit are all sitting down and you are standing up. That could show a difference in status. However, if the ground was wet I don't think I would want to sit on it either.
ReplyDeleteYou've got the idea.
DeleteThe photo says that affluent white Canadians got to wear glasses and even sunglasses but indigenous peoples never had that luxury in past times. Even today, the poorer you are the less likely it is that you will be prescribed spectacles though you might desperately need them. Was that the argument Red?
ReplyDeleteWell, you add to this and show that race and racism are found in many places.
DeleteAre you thinking something like Great White Father?
ReplyDeleteYou got it . It can and does take many forms.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI looked and can only see one or two elders that maybe smoking? I am not sure. Take care, have a happy day!
90% of them smoked.
DeletePersonally, I think that coming in to interfere with the lifestyle of a people, and then trying to solve the resulting problems by handing them money changes everything, and not in a positive way. They had a way of life. I had a friend who was an Anglican priest who worked with the native population in your country. When the checks came, there was always a drinking binge. The children were often lef thome alone. A house fire took an entire family. As their priest, he stepped forward in the wake of that tragedy and said, "Do not leave your children home alone. If you have to go drinking, leave your children with me." And once a month, the children came to the church, a giant slumber party. The church hierarchy told him to stop, that he was encouraging the parents' drinking. His response was that they were going to do it. He was just trying to make sure the children were safe. In the end, he was defrocked over it.
ReplyDeleteWhen a society is disrupted, the damage done affects generation after generation after generation.
Absolutely. Their land and culture was taken from them and they are lost. they always were able to make stuff that gave them a buzz. they knew much about plants.
DeleteThe indigenous sitting at the feet of the white man carries a degree of unpleasant connotations.
ReplyDeleteYou couldn't express things any better.
DeleteThat when given money from out government, Inuit tend to buy red colored clothing?
ReplyDeleteFunny you mention the red clothing. The trading posts brought in little variety when it came to fabric.
DeleteThe white man is an authority figure, there should be a Native person in that position. They should be training Natives to fill the teacher position and administrative position.
ReplyDeleteI see Mom's and Grandma's keeping an eye on the children while you hand out their mail. Do we have to make it negative? Can't we look for the positive instead?
ReplyDeleteThe women are tired so they sit, and I see one is smoking! They all wear rubber boots!
ReplyDeleteIn my mind, you are not engaging them as equals, especially towering over them like that. You should be on the ground, too.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all the commenters. It was a serious intrusion into a way of life that the indigenous people had. How do you feel about reparations?
ReplyDeleteIt’s interesting to see that most comments were on target. It would be interesting to see what the same commenters would have said 10 years ago. I do think the last year or so has increased the awareness of racism. Interesting post!
ReplyDeleteSigh... yes... I agree with everyone. It does give the impression of a large White man having some sort of power over native people and subjugating them even if that isn't the case. Pictures can be powerful.
ReplyDelete