54 pages • 1 hour read
Content Warning: The source text contains descriptions of violence, domestic violence, racism, substance use disorder, miscarriage, and outdated terminology for Indigenous and First Nations peoples.
Canada’s history of assimilationist policies toward its Indigenous populations has resulted in the loss of homelands, cultural knowledge and cohesion, language, and traditional ways of interacting with nature and natural food systems. Canada’s residential school system for Indigenous youth is, now that it has been thoroughly investigated and revealed to be systemically abusive, perhaps the most widely talked about pillar of Canadian assimilationist policy, but the bulk of the Canadian government’s dealings with its Indigenous populations have had assimilation as their core goal.
During the introductory chapters of The Berry Pickers, readers learn that two of Ruthie’s siblings were students in a residential school until their father withdrew them. He no doubt objected to the school’s cruel treatment of its students, but the family depicted in this narrative is closely bonded, and part of his objection was to the children growing up so far from their parents and without the ability to participate in their Indigenous culture. Mae, Ben, Charlie, and Joe grow up steeped in Mi’kmaq ways of being in the world, which sharply contrasts with the white assimilation of Plus, gain access to 8,500+ more expert-written Study Guides. Including features:
Brothers & Sisters
View Collection
Canadian Literature
View Collection
Family
View Collection
Forgiveness
View Collection
Globalization
View Collection
Grief
View Collection
Guilt
View Collection
Hate & Anger
View Collection
Indigenous People's Literature
View Collection
Loyalty & Betrayal
View Collection
Memory
View Collection
Mortality & Death
View Collection
Mothers
View Collection
The Best of "Best Book" Lists
View Collection
The Past
View Collection
Truth & Lies
View Collection