I Was Asked Over The Years, "Why Is Indigenous Studies Difficult To Learn?"

"Indigenous people believe that Man belongs to the World; civilized people believe that the World belongs to Man." ~ Daniel Quinn

"Indigenous people made huge contributions to this country. The biggest is in sharing the land and resources. People need to see that, understand that. Indigenous people should be viewed as the founding peoples of this land." ~ Perry Bellegarde

"We are not myths of the past, ruins in the jungle, or zoos. We are people and we want to be respected, not to be victims of intolerance and racism." ~ Rigoberta Menchu

"I resolutely believe that respect for diversity is a fundamental pillar in the eradication of racism, xenophobia and intolerance. There is no excuse for evading the responsibility of finding the most suitable path toward the elimination of any expression of discrimination against indigenous peoples." ~ Rigoberta Menchu

Here are some responses...

It's unsettling because it is counted. Aboriginal studies makes you confront the hidden histories, muffled voices, and frameworks that continue to inflict intergenerational trauma upon individuals today. That discomfort? That means that you're grappling with something honest, something to be known in order for us to have truth and reconciliation.

Yes, it's difficult. It's heartbreaking, and it goes against everything you believed. That's the point. For First Nations, Metis, Inuit, and for Indigenous people throughout the world, living on the margins of their societies, this is not history, this is life daily. And learning it makes you closer to grasping that reality.

It's hard because it surfaces things that were hidden or in denial. But facing those things is part of the healing process. This isn't about blame, it's about understanding how we got here so that we can move forward, as a group, society, country.

That response is heavy, it carries a lot of weight. But ignoring it keeps us in the dark. Aboriginal studies prepare you to recognize harm, witness resilience, and learn empathy and knowledge.

It might look daunting, but this learning lays the ground for a more honest future. The better you know the histories of other people, the better you can help bring into being a nation where justice and respect are real, for everybody.

You are not alone. Any Canadian, life-long or not, is intimidated by this. Your dedication to learning, even when it hurts, is strength. Learning about Indigenous peoples' histories makes bridges, in class and in life. That is being a thoughtful student, and a future leader in an inclusive Canada.