The Effects Of Racism And Discrimination On Indigenous Peoples As Depicted In Indian Horse

Martin Luther King Jr. once stated that “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” The widespread occurrence and intensity of racial discrimination negatively impacts Aboriginals and their relationship with the Anglo Saxon community. Through the course of Indian Horse, written by author Richard Wagamese, the persistent acts of racism and discrimination have a spine-chilling effect on Aboriginals. This is revealed through the horrifying abuse Aboriginal children receive and witness in Residential schools, the excessive isolation and distress between Aboriginals and Anglo Saxons, and the racism they are exposed to that degrades their self-confidence. During the period between the 1880s and the 1990s, children of Indigenous descent encountered physical and mental abuse in Residential schools, which caused the mortality of 150,000 individuals.

In Indian Horse, it is apparent that Rebecca is petrified by the constant abuse she receives and witnesses her sister encounter; this influences her to “slip the knife from her coat and plunge it into her belly” (Wagamese 168). Ultimately, Rebecca’s disturbed mental state, which results from her sister’s death at St. Jerome’s Indian Residential School, leads her to self destruction. Rebecca’s downfall under these circumstances, confirms that the abuse experienced by Indigenous children has a profound impact on them. The idea of togetherness between Aboriginals and other Canadians was difficult to even consider, let alone facilitate; this lack of unity causes isolation and distress within Indigenous communities. Comparatively, Saul Indian Horse is involved in the sport of hockey, but confronts many obstacles, such as “the mill towns not wanting anything to do with Indians” (Wagamese 94). This demonstrates that the Anglo Saxons are unwilling to compete with Indians due to their disrespectful thoughts about them. Confined by their discord, Indian communities are apprehensive at the thought of competing lest they will associate with the Anglo Saxons.

The constant approach to belittle the Indigenous culture and religion causes many to lack confidence in themselves. Relatively, Saul Indian Horse deals with a great deal of doubt due to many aspects of his life being stripped away, which causes “him to come and see himself as less than human” (Wagamese 81). Essentially, Saul’s apprehensive behavior that is bottled up inside causes him to feel unworthy and as if he is in agony. From these pessimistic thoughts, a lack of confidence is triggered due to the racism and discrimination he battles repeatedly.

In conclusion, the presence of racism and discrimination clearly discourages Aboriginals and their relationship with the Anglo Saxon community. This is clearly communicated through the horrifying abuse that the Aboriginal community receives and witnesses, the excessive isolation and distress between Aboriginals and Anglo Saxons, and the lack of confidence that they are left with through the constant racism and discrimination they are subjected to. Therefore, Anglo Saxons did not master the potential to live with Aboriginals “as brothers,” but alternatively denounced their religion only to be looked at “as fools.”