Aboriginal Youth Research Paper

Colonialism and oppression have acted as a tool in allowing First Nation youth to succumb to the social cycle of cultural shock “Certainly the agenda of aggressive assimilation through the residential schools has left a large, dark legacy and certainly we, as First Nations people, are trying to move forward from that” (Moore, D., Native school conditions, para. 27). Aboriginal youth may need to leave reserves to attend post-secondary education, but tend to be overcome with differences outside of the reserves. There are not enough social supports to aid in the adaptability that many youth are faced with. This leaves them lacking in the ability to be successful in their education, therefore returning to what they know to their cultural atmosphere. Colonialism has left an impact on many generations of Aboriginal peoples, for any persons that experienced it and survived, they were traumatized and left with long lasting effects that have been passed down to their children and grandchildren “In 1967, there were only 200 Aboriginal students enrolled in Canadian Universities out of a total Aboriginal student population of about 60,000” (McCue, H., Aboriginal people: Education, para. 17). Those that experienced residential schools have
It has been shown to be prevalent that within the Aboriginal community, youth are targeted for wanting to leave the reserve to further their education. Those youth that are successful in leaving the reserves to advance their education are seen as traitors amongst their community and people. By wanting to broaden their education, others on reserves feel a sort of resentment and segregation due to having to remain on the reserves. The negative pressure that the Aboriginal community place for the youth that leave the reserves resonates deeply with in them. They carry a great amount of guilt and shame, which contributes to high rates of depression and