Article Response Assessment
The article Religion and Spirituality of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, written by Author Derek G. Smith, is an incredible, well-written article; it provides lots of practical and factual information. This article was written for readers who are knowledgeable on the topic. A reader with no prior could also read this article since all the topics are lightly explained, and any words, objects, or practices have links that lead you to the definition. In the article, the author mentions:
The influence of Christianity — through settlers, missionaries and government policy — significantly altered life for Indigenous peoples. In some communities, this resulted in hybridized religious practices; while in others, European religion replaced traditional spiritual practices entirely. (Derek G. Smith - Religion and Spirituality of Indigenous Peoples)
Yet the author writes:
Though historically suppressed by colonial administrators and missionaries, especially from the late 19th- to mid-20th centuries, many contemporary Indigenous communities have revived, or continue to practice, traditional spirituality. (Derek G. Smith - Religion and Spirituality of Indigenous Peoples)
This means that despite the pressure from the Vatican to convert to Christianity; some Indigenous communities did not give in while others did, this is not necessarily a bad thing in some cases. For example, the Mi’kmaq willingly accepted Christianity, and fused their own religion together with Christianity. Depending on the knowledge level of the readers; the article might be confusing for some. If a reader does not know that Indigenous communities have their own religion and beliefs; the names of certain rituals and items; and the timeline of critical events, they might get lost or confused while reading.
Work Cited
Smith, Derek G. “Religion and Spirituality of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 19 April 2018, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/religion-of-aboriginal-people. Accessed 13 September 2023.
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