In this blog, we explore the deeply rooted discrimination against Indigenous peoples in Canada—a systemic issue that extends far beyond individual prejudice. Drawing on the scholarly insights of Kimberlé Crenshaw and Gloria Wekker, we’ll examine the intersectionality framework and how it elucidates the dynamics of oppression affecting Indigenous communities today.
Intersectionality: The Triangle of Privilege and Discrimination
The concept of intersectionality helps us understand how various forms of identity—gender, class, and race—intersect within a framework of societal oppression. Imagine a triangle where each corner represents one of these identities (like the one displayed above). The interior of this triangle depicts privileged groups: consumer, male, white. This “Triangle of Privilege” represents the normative narrative in many Western societies, influencing worldviews and policymaking.
On the other side, flipping this triangle exposes the “Triangle of Discrimination,” centring on those who face compounded disadvantages: impoverished women of colour. This model shows how intertwined identities can render these individuals invisible as minorities within the broader social discourse.
By exploring the relationship between these two triangles—the Triangle of Privilege and the Triangle of Discrimination—we gain deeper insights into the various systems of oppression and how they intersect to create new forms of oppression. This framework underscores the complexity of individual identities, highlighting that they do not exist in isolation. Instead, our identities interact, influence, and shape one another, weaving a complex tapestry that affects how individuals experience society. Understanding this interconnectedness is crucial as we strive to identify, challenge, and dismantle these oppressive systems.
Having established the theoretical framework of the Triangle of Privilege and Discrimination, let’s now explore two vivid examples that illustrate how these theories manifest in real-world issues: the over-incarceration of Indigenous peoples and the conflict over lithium mining at Thacker Pass. These cases provide concrete evidence of the systemic oppression discussed earlier and can be also placed in the triangle of discrimination.
The Over-Incarceration of Indigenous Peoples: A Reflection of Systemic Flaws
The over-incarceration of Native People is not a coincidence but a systematic flaw. The rate of Indigenous men who get imprisoned is nine times higher than that of non-native men.
“Indigenous women’s incarceration rates are 12.5 times higher than those of non-indigenous women” (Government of Canada, 2023).
This is not only a reality and a problem for those who are legally adults but also for the youth of these communities. Indigenous Youth account for 46% of prison populations despite only being 8% of the youth populations (Singh,et al.2019). APTN News has a dedicated site to information and cases inside corrections facilities to not only understand the power abuse but also tell stories of unjustly imprisoned native people and the disproportionate abuse they face within this system. In the documentary made my APTN News “Inside Corrections” which can be found here. In it, Native Joey Toutsaint states:
“It feels like this is the new residential school, because I feel like it’s no different than what we go through in jail”.
Similar to the boarding schools, jails and prisons have also a focus on cheap labour. In Canada this is outsources to CORCAN, with various issues on safety and humanitarian rights being violated, this has been researched since 1997 and later investigated in 2020 the issue prevails (The Brock news, 2022). Additionally, structured Intervention units, previously known as solitary confinement, is also more prevalent amongst indigenous inmates than non-indigenous ones that lead to high risk of mental health issues and reincarceration rates. After watching the documentary and reading various sources (provided below) I wonder: Did we really dismantle the systems of the residential schools and assimilation or targeting of indigenous groups or did the form of doing it simply became more hidden and normalized?
While reflecting on the troubling parallels between the exploitative practices of residential schools and the modern prison systems, it becomes clear that these are not isolated issues.
Another example of ongoing struggles for Indigenous rights is the battle over lithium mining at Thacker Pass in Northern Nevada.
Indigenous Tribes vs. Lithium Mining: A Battle Over Sacred Lands
In the landscape of Northern Nevada, Thacker Pass has emerged as a battleground where historical grievances and contemporary industrial ambitions collide. Here, the Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone tribes are deeply connected to the land, a connection stained by the bloodshed of their ancestors during an 1865 massacre by the 1st Nevada Cavalry. This same land, steeped in history and tradition, is now primed to be transformed into an open-pit lithium mine, driven by the increasing demand for natural resources essential for renewable energy development (Howard Center, 2024).
This conflict transcends a mere environmental dispute; it encapsulates a profound clash between historical legacies and the path of industrial progress. The indigenous tribes respect Thacker Pass as sacred ground, infused with cultural significance and ancestral bonds. The proposed lithium mining operation poses a severe threat to these ties, raising critical questions about the respect for rights and the recognition of historical connections (Howard Center, 2024).
Viewed through the lens of the Triangle of Privilege and Discrimination, a stark contrast in roles becomes evident. On one side, the mining company, supported by wealthy investors, government loans, and corporate interests, occupies a position of significant privilege. Typically led by individuals from demographic groups that have historically wielded power—predominantly white and male—these leaders operate in a realm where their decisions have far-reaching impacts.
In contrast, the indigenous communities at Thacker Pass find themselves on the Triangle of Discrimination. As people of colour and economically marginalized, they face a familiar threat: systemic oppression that silences their voices and casts doubt on their claims.
The dispute at Thacker Pass highlights the urgent need to bridge the gap between privilege and discrimination. While the demand for lithium, a critical component of the green energy transition, is undeniable, it must not be met at the expense of perpetuating historical and ongoing oppression and violence. Achieving a just resolution requires recognizing the significant power disparities: the privileged position of the mining company, strengthened by substantial wealth and influence, stands in stark contrast to the historical and systemic discrimination faced by the indigenous communities. This scenario demands not only acknowledgment but also concerted action to ensure equity and respect for all stakeholders involved.
Closing Thoughts: Bridging the Gap Between Privilege and Discrimination
Understanding these issues through the lens of intersectionality allows for a clearer perspective on the systemic nature of the challenges faced by Indigenous peoples for the benefit of the powerful non-indigenous people. As we push for progress in sectors like renewable energy or justice, it is crucial to ensure that this progress does not come at the expense of further marginalizing already oppressed communities.
This blog seeks to provide insight into the ongoing discrimination against Indigenous peoples in now called Canada, urging readers to consider how intersectional oppression plays out in various aspects of daily life and what steps can be taken to dismantle these deeply embedded systems starting by unvailing them. It’s a call to action for all of us to engage more deeply with these issues and work towards equitable solutions.
Sources
Government of Canada, Department of Justice, Electronic
Communications. (2023, 19januari). 2. Statistical Overview on the
Overrepresentation of Indigenous Overrepresentation of Indigenous People in the Canadian Criminal Justice System: Causes and Responseshttps://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/jr/oip-cjs/p3.html
Inside corrections | APTN investigates. (2023, 1 juni). APTN | Our Stories.
Seda, F. S. (2016). The Triangular Relations of Society–State–Market: Social Problems inIndonesian Society in the Context of Globalization.
Globalization and Democracy in Southeast Asia: Challenges,
Responses and Alternative Futures, 199-211.
Singh, D., Prowse, S., & Anderson, M. (2019). Overincarceration of
Indigenouspeople: a health crisis. CMAJ : Canadian Medical
Association journal = journal de l’Association medicale canadienne, 191(18), E487–E488. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.181437
Wekker, G. (2016) White Innocence: Paradoxes of Colonialism and Race,
Duke University Press
The Brock News. (2022). OPINION: Jordan House discusses
prison labour in Canada. The Brock News, A News Source For Brock University https://brocku.ca/brock-news/2022/11/opinion-jordan-house-discusses-prison-labou
r-in-canada/
Howard Center. (2024). Tribes in uphill battle against lithium mining.Indianz.com.https://indianz.com/News/2024/02/05/howard- center-tribes-in-uphill-battle-against-lithium-mining/
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