The impact of colonial heritage narratives on the wellbeing of Indigenous and racialized persons in the city of Kingston, Ontario
Colonial heritage, including tangible and intangible artefacts, places, practices, and narratives provide a social context that reinforces social exclusion and historical trauma. This, in turn, can have a profoundly detrimental impact on the wellbeing of Indigenous persons. Kingston specifically is rife with heritage associated with John A. Macdonald, its most famous former resident, who acted against Indigenous peoples.
This multidisciplinary research project, led by Prof. Christine Sypnowich from the Department of Philosophy, in collaboration with number of researchers from Kinesiology and Health Studies, the Department of Psychiatry, Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Indigenous Studies, Faculty of Law, and with extensive consultation with Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and racialized communities whose knowledge provides indispensable guidance, investigates the public health impact of colonial culture that effaces the experience and knowledge of Indigenous and racialized people and how Kingston should confront and repair its practices of commemoration.