ABSTRACT
This chapter examines Aboriginal cultural history in Canada, particularly as it relates to family daily life and to education. It explores literature on current cultural change, with a specific focus on the Canadian province of Manitoba. The chapter outlines Canadian policies and practices directed toward Aboriginal peoples and their effects on Aboriginal individual and cultural self-determination. It focuses on the history of intrusion by the Canadian government into Aboriginal families and education, followed by an examination of growing movement toward self-determination, including Aboriginal control of Aboriginal education, development of strong families, and social action. The chapter describes examples of cultural change and adaptation which are gaining strength despite powerful external forces and conditions of domination. It reviews the history and describes the resistance to domination and the activities of cultural adaptation and change of Aboriginal peoples.
