Life before the Six.

It’s interesting to think that 11,000 years ago, the greater Toronto area were inhibited by Indigenous people. I was aware the Indigenous people lived in the Toronto area, but never thought for at least 11,000 years. They have a long, rich history with the environment of Toronto. But now, it’s covered with skyscrapers. I am surprised there aren’t many emphasis on the Indigenous culture that was once here, in downtown Toronto. I feel like there should be a district for Indigenous people in Toronto. There’s Chinatown, Little Italy, Koreatown, etc., why not a section for the Indigenous community?

I was never aware the name of the city and the streets were derived from the Indigenous language. If you’re going to name the city of the people who lived here for thousands of years, why not have a section of the city be dedicated to the people. I believe we’re living in a time that we’re trying to fix the mistakes we’ve made and give everyone an equal opportuntiy. I think if the citizens of Toronto were aware of the history that existed between the Indigenous and the Toronto landscape, the citizens of Toronto would at least appriecate the land that they live in.

The part of the article I found the most shocking was the High Park. High Park has areas that are sacred Indigenous burial mounds and there were local residents who used it as a BMX bike course. The residents dug out some parts to make their bike course and once the Indigenous people went to protect their burial mounds, the news created the Indigenous people in a negative way. First when I read this, I thought what makes you want to bike in a burial mound. Then I thought a bit and it’s fair to assume the local residents didn’t know it was a burial mound. Then later when the Indigenous people were trying to protect it and set up camp, they made the Indigenous people look like they’re protesting. Why was the news covering the wrong topic. Their main story should be the fact that local residents are DIGGING to make ramps and RIDING their bikes all around the burial mounds. The other part that was so shocking was that it took so long for the topic to even get news footage. Am I the only one who thinks riding a bike around and digging around the burial mound is not normal?

2 Responses to “Life before the Six.”

  1. I loved the part of the pair of Anishinabek sailing down the Humber to go trade a blanket for Beaver Pelts at the flagship Hudson Bay store. The article illustrates the integral part of aboriginal society that lingers in modern day Toronto. It is sad to think that what is left of aboriginal presence in Toronto is found in street names.

  2. “why not a section for the Indigenous community?”
    I mean Canada’s history, while having a good reputation, is pretty horrific. We put them into residential schools and systematically destroyed their culture, language, and essentially their livelihoods. I wouldn’t be surprised that all the Aboriginals combined make up less than any single one of the other immigrant groups you’ve mentioned.

    I think the burial mound problem is far more complex than you’ve written here. Like mentioned in class, sometimes you buy a plot of land and it just happens to contain some aboriginal relics. Does this mean you should give up your plot of land? Perhaps, but perhaps we’re being too ideal in our assessment of what people should prioritize, and what we ourselves would do in such a situation.

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