Pathologizing Indigeneity in the Caledonia “Crisis”

Authors

  • Cameron Greensmith University of Toronto

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15353/cjds.v1i2.41

Keywords:

Caledonia, Indigenous, Pathology, Settler, Protest

Abstract

Disability studies scholarship in Canada continues to place the experiences, identities and embodiments of Indigenous peoples in places of marginality. This paper offers to correct this by centralizing land struggles and the activism done by Indigenous peoples in Caledonia, Ontario. The author will critically analyze texts in order to show how the news media reflects “Canadian” mythologies to its audience when discussing the Caledonia “crisis” in 2006 – 2007. This paper examines the Canadian news media’s use of disability tropes as it imbricates disability with Indigeneity. This imbrication acts as a tool to pathologize Indigenous peoples and ensure that settler colonialism remains immune to scrutiny. By connecting Indigenous peoples to pathology, settlers can continue to understand themselves as the rightful inhabitants and owners of Turtle Island in Caledonia. This paper offers a new theoretical standpoint within disability studies scholarship, one which centralizes decolonization so as to bring discursive constructions of Indigeneity and disability into conversation with each other.

Author Biography

Cameron Greensmith, University of Toronto

Cameron is a PhD Candidate in Sociology and Equity Studies in Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto in collaboration with Aboriginal Health. He holds a MA in Women and Gender Studies in Collaboration with Sexual Diversity Studies at the University of Toronto and a BA in Sociology at Brock University. Cameron identifies as a self-reflexive white queer settler who aims to shed light on the continual marginalization experienced by racialized and colonized people in what is now known as Canada. Cameron’s current research focuses on the interconnections between settler colonialism, queer politics, and health care in Toronto.

This image depicts Sam Sullivan, former mayor of Vancouver and subject of Nicole Markotic's essay in this theme issue of the CJDS. Sullivan is shown from the waist up, sitting in an electric wheelchair, leading slightly to the left.

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How to Cite

Greensmith, C. (2012). Pathologizing Indigeneity in the Caledonia “Crisis”. Canadian Journal of Disability Studies, 1(2), 19–42. https://doi.org/10.15353/cjds.v1i2.41

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2012): Disability Mediations

Section

Articles

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