Coast Salish Cultural Survival Synthesis

The United States and Canadian border has caused some serious issues for particular Native American people called Coast Salish. These people inhabit the borderland region of South Canada and the North United States. Therefore, they are one type of people but technically in two different countries. Different countries each have their own sets of policies, rules, beliefs, cultures, customs and etc. Thus there were dissimilar approaches in each place regarding the Coast Salish, especially in schools. A form of racism even developed toward the Coast Salish people in schools because of the native’s standpoint on certain issues being debated. Boarding schools also tried to force change on the Coast Salish’s and transform them to be more like conventional society and to ditch their Native American ways. However, the Coast Salish people resisted this assimilation and did things to preserve their culture and way of life. They did this by reclaiming government boarding schools to escape the public integrated schools. This meant that they would no longer be oppressive and they could send their children there to learn together about their particular people.

I am happy that the Coast Salish people stood up for themselves and preserved their culture. There is similar discrimination in the world today, though not always to the extent of different borders. Therefore, the Coast Salish people are a perfect example of what to do when put in a situation where someone or something is trying to change who they are.