"Indigenous Resistance and Racist Schooling on the Borders of Empires: Coast Salish Cultural Survival"

The article "Indigenous Resistance and Racist Schooling on the Borders of Empires: Coast Salish Cultural Survival" by Michael Marker is a portrayal of an Coast Salish community that resisted assimilation and the struggle to maintain their culture. The separation of these indigenous people from their daily lifestyle caused children to be separated from their families and culture as they were forced to go to boarding school. The english settlers who were forcing a new culture upon the community believed that the natives were corrupt due to their religion and lack of education. School districts were divided to give everyone a fair and equal chance, but still resulted in unwanted change. Laws were placed on traditions and native languages, causing struggles with the US and Canadian governments. These governments added to racist sentiments because they continuously tried to eliminate or hide the existing cultures. In efforts to keep daily life the same, Coast Salish communities continue to display traditional thoughts and ceremonies to the youth of the region.

I believe it was unfair and unjust to try and assimilate the people of the Coast Salish community. Every region or type of people have the right to believe and practice their own culture in whatever way they choose to. By forcing the American culture on this community, their rights and lives were violated in a harmful way. It contradicts what the United States stands for and hopes to provide for citizens.