Anti-Indigenous Racism


Anti-Indigenous racism (AIR) is defined as the ongoing race-based discrimination, negative stereotyping, and injustice experienced by Indigenous peoples within Canada. It includes ideologies and practices that contribute to the establishment, maintenance, and perpetuation of power imbalances, structural obstacles, and inequitable results in Canada as a result of colonial policies and practices. Discriminatory government laws like the Indian Act and the residential school system demonstrate systemic anti-Indigenous racism. Individual lived-experiences of anti-Indigenous racism can be seen in prejudiced attitudes and acts of hostility directed at Indigenous people (Toronto Metropolitan University, 2022).

In this video, Cindy Blackstock, a renowned Indigenous child and family rights activist and the inaugural chancellor for NOSM University, explains the concept of systemic racism through discussing Jordan's Principle.

TVO Today Docs. (2019, April 4). How to change systemic racism in Canada [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/j-xAloD75dQ?si=_qAEKcWHdp4x88yU

Further Reading on Anti-Indigenous Racism, Health and Education


Sources:

Toronto Metropolitan University. (2022). Key Concepts in Anti-Indigenous Racism. In Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Practice. Experiential Learning Hub, Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching. Retrieved from https://pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca/ediinpractice/chapter/key-concepts-in-anti-indigenous-racism/

Government of Canada. (2023, September 11). Anti-Racism Lexicon. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/systemic-racism-discrimination/anti-racism-toolkit/anti-racism-lexicon.html