Unravelling state crime: the impact of colonialism, genocide, and internalized racism on Haida citizen’s sense of belonging.

• In Event: Routledge International Handbook on Decolonizing Justice – Panel I

Abstract

State crime, genocide, colonialism, and racism are not historical events but ongoing processes. Decolonization of justice requires holding colonial states accountable for their role in continuing to constrain self-determination. Unravelling these processes provides the foundation for consideration of the Canadian state’s tinkering with identity through discriminatory legislation under the Indian Act. With this context in mind, I share insights from my dissertation work involving a series of semi-structured interviews to consider the impact of various identity provisions of Canada’s Indian Act on Haida citizen’s sense of belonging. In so doing, I highlight the emergent theme of colonial displacement and division, which encompasses physical, cultural, and legislative displacement, navigating mixed identities, and the role of religion. This theme provides insight into the impact of colonialism, genocide, and internalized racism resulting from colonial control over Indigenous identity on Haida peoples.

Author

• Michaela McGuire, Simon Fraser University