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It is an unfortunate truth, but the Canadian Government has a habit of not honouring their promises

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4 weeks ago

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BY KAHA G – 15 YEARS OLD

In history class, we were asked to do a group presentation based on various disputes between Indigenous peoples and the Canadian government as a whole, whether that be the crown, or even our current government. We were also asked to do an OPCVL (Origin, Purpose, Content, Value, and Limitations) on the websites we use to get a good idea of who is reporting the article and what kind of biases they present on the specific topic. My group chose the Toronto Purchase as our topic, and I will explain the Indigenous and Crowns’ perspective and give an overall introduction to what the Toronto Purchase is (some of this information is from my group members as well).

The Toronto Purchase of 1805, known as Treaty 13, is a big moment in Canadian history. Partially negotiated between the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the British Crown, this land treaty aimed to address the uncertainties left by the Johnson-Butler Purchase of 1787-88. The earlier deal lacked clarity, resulting in rage over land boundaries and usage. In response, the Toronto Purchase sought to provide a clearer understanding of land rights between the Crown and the Mississaugas, resulting in ongoing colonial expansion and the displacement of Indigenous communities.

Now, here is the Toronto Purchase Treaty from each perspective:

The Crown’s Perspective:

Britain’s defeat at the hands of the Americans in 1783 because of the American Revolution placed a lot of pressure on the crown to acquire more land to resettle loyalist refugees. As well as the crown needed to secure communication and supply lines to western outposts and unite settlements along Lake Ontario from Kingston to Niagara. Since the crown knew that the Mississaugas of the Credit had large amounts of land that could benefit them, they created a treaty. The Mississaugas agreed, however, the British had no intention of sharing this land, and there were doubts about the treaty’s legitimacy of the deed and unclear land boundaries.

A deed is a legal document that outlines details of a land transaction, in this case, it would have the sale of the lands from the Mississaugas to the British Crown.

These concerns were bad for the crown because honouring agreements was important for maintaining the British government’s reputation and credibility. Violating treaties can damage relationships with Indigenous nations and other colonial powers, which puts them at a disadvantage when it comes to various aspects like security, defense, alliances, and trade.

The Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations Perspective:

Chief Wabakinine (wabakeyneen) was the Head Chief of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation in the 18th century. On their behalf, he signed many surrender treaties with the colonial British setters, including Treaty 13, or the Toronto Purchase.

Since the British needed more land for the settlers, Chief Wabakinine agreed to share the land with the newcomers in a beneficial way, where the Mississaugas could still hunt, fish, and gather, while the settlers would go about their way establishing villages and farms. However, the British didn’t keep up their end of the Treaty and the settlers saw the Mississaugas as trespassers, drove them from their camping places, ravaged the resources of the land and brought new diseases with them.

Sooner than later, the traditional economy was collapsing, and disease started to spread, making the population of Mississaugas drop 20%, within 10 years. The crown was now deemed untrustworthy since they didn’t respect Indigenous rights, took more land than originally agreed upon, underpaid them for the land, did not honour the terms and agreements of the Treaty and delayed the Mississaugas compensation for around 223 years (1787 to 2010).

Furthermore, the sources I got this information from were biased towards Indigenous peoples, as well as Indigenous websites that have a clear and precise analysis of what the goals of the Crown were, and why they did what they did. So, I would say the websites I used have a balance in respect to bias.

To summarize this whole article, the British Crown wanted more land for settlers and to secure their territory, but they didn’t stick to their promises in the Toronto Purchase treaty. The Indigenous Mississaugas agreed to share the land but got mistreated, lost resources, and faced disease instead. This shows how colonialism harmed Indigenous people and why we should honour their rights and finally bring justice for all of the torment they faced because of the Canadian government.

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Junior Contributors

The cost of convenience: how much does delivery really cost?

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1 day ago

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April 25, 2024

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BY AMARI SUKHDEO

Have you ever been excited to camp-in and order your favourite meal for delivery, only to be taken aback by that bill? That $18 ramen suddenly balloons to $32. Why the hefty price tag? Here’s what’s happening:

Markup mayhem:

When opposed to ordering straight from the restaurant, ordering through delivery apps frequently entails a surreptitious price increase. The menu items found on these platforms are typically more expensive than those found inside. Remarkably, a recent survey found that the cost of things ordered through delivery apps may be up to 26% more than that of items ordered straight from the restaurant. A lot of customers are caught by surprise by this markup, which turns what could have been a relatively inexpensive dinner into a costly affair.

Fee fiasco:

Not only is there a markup, but there are also significant service costs added to the bill. For instance, Uber Eats determines prices based on the quantity of your order, while DoorDash charges a $3 minimum service fee in addition to a 15% service charge. These extra fees have the potential to significantly raise the overall cost of your meal, giving customers the impression that they have been taken advantage of.

Restaurant shares:

It’s not just diners who are experiencing financial hardship. Restaurants face a big competition from delivery apps, which can take up to 30% of their earnings. This is especially true for smaller businesses that depend significantly on delivery services. Restaurants may find it extremely challenging to generate a profit due to the weight of high commissions, given their already extremely narrow profit margins.

A troubling tendency is shown through data: the cost of using delivery apps is progressively going up. Fees have increased to previously unheard-of heights in recent years, leaving many customers unable to pay more for their favourite dishes. For a few, the price hike has caused them to reconsider their dining options.

At home diners, keep in mind that you have to account for the hidden expenses the next time the convenience of a takeaway menu entices you. It’s a story about: delivery workers’ financial struggles, increased rates, and outrageous surcharges. Bon appétit, with caution.

https://www.vox.com/money/24118201/food-delivery-cost-expensive-doordash-ubereats-grubhub

https://www.foodandwine.com/news/delivery-app-prices-higher-fees-2021-pandemic

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Junior Contributors

Beneath the waves: Unveiling the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade in the Bahamas

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1 day ago

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April 25, 2024

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BY KAHA G. – 15 YEARS OLD

What is archaeology? Archaeology is the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation: of artifacts, structures, and other physical remains. It helps us understand past cultures, societies, and lifestyles by analyzing material culture left behind by ancient civilizations. In this case, archaeologists in the Bahamas have found underwater wrecks of 14 sailing ships involved in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade between Africa and the Americans.

The Bahamas Lost Ships Project, led by Allen Exploration and the Bahamas Maritime Museum, aims to catalog shipwrecks in the Bahamas. They’ve found 596 wrecks so far, dating back to 1657.  Also, these findings were published around Black History Month, emphasizing the importance of preserving the experiences of marginalized communities.

The Bahamas’ history is deeply connected to the transatlantic slave trade, with events like the arrival of the first slaving vessels shaping the islands’ population. The wrecks of ships like the Nancy and the General Oglethorpe remind us of the individuals who suffered and resisted enslavement. This research also highlights the Bahamas’ role in the transatlantic slave trade, connecting: Africa, the American Southeast, Cuba, and the Gulf of Mexico. Making it an important trade route for these places.

According to Livescience, the wrecks included the “Peter Mowell which is an American schooner (sailing vessel) that sank off Lynyard Cay near Great Abaco Island in 1860 with about 400 enslaved Africans on board; as well as smaller vessels that carried slaves to plantations for sugar, coffee, cotton and tobacco in North America and around the Caribbean.”

Alongside that, the team of archaeologists, and Allen Exploration have found three wrecks, but their locations are currently undisclosed. The CEO, emphasized the historical significance of these wrecks, noting their importance in understanding the conditions aboard slave ships and the broader history of the slave trade.

Additionally, the type of living conditions of enslaved Black people were atrocious. They lived in miserable huts, which were said to be “Unfit for the habitation of wild beasts.” They wore iron slave collars and worked seven days a week, with just four hours a day of rest in cane-cutting season. Unfortunately, about 10% of enslaved Africans died on the plantations in Cuba each year during the slave trade, and some were even flogged to death.

In conclusion, the discovery of these shipwrecks in the Bahamas sheds light on a significant, yet often overlooked aspect of human history: the transatlantic slave trade. These findings provide valuable insights into the conditions endured by enslaved individuals and the intricate networks that facilitated this cruel trade. As we continue to explore and preserve these historical sites, we honor the resilience and bravery of those who resisted oppression and strive to ensure that their stories are remembered for generations to come.

 

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Junior Contributors

Unveiling the Mysteries of the Fibonacci Sequence: Nature’s hidden code

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2 weeks ago

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April 11, 2024

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Photo Credit: Racool_Studio

BY KAHA G. – 15 YEARS OLD

“The Fibonacci Sequence turns out to be the key to understanding how nature designs… and is a part of the same ubiquitous music of the spheres that builds harmony into atoms, molecules, crystals, shells, suns and galaxies and makes the universe sing.” Guy Murchie

This quote was utilized to pique your curiosity about today’s article topic, The Fibonacci Sequence.

The Fibonacci Sequence is a series of numbers where each number is the sum of the two preceding numbers. With the set of numbers being:

0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, 610.

One of the most remarkable properties of the sequence is its connection to the golden ratio. The golden ratio is an irrational number that is approximately equal to 1.61803398875. It’s found by dividing any number in the Fibonacci Sequence by the number behind it. The more someone goes down the sequence, the closer the result gets to the golden ratio. Here’s a small example, 34 divided by 21, which is 1.61904761905. Look how close that is!

Furthermore, it appears in many natural occurrences, from the arrangement of leaves on a stem to the shape of a seashell. Some examples are the spiral patterns of sunflower heads, pinecones, pineapples, as well as the pattern of the nautilus shell being the most famous one. Although this might seem like a coincidence, it helps nature as well by maximizing surface area, efficiency, and strength.

The Fibonacci Sequence also appears in mathematics, computer science, and art and design. In mathematics, the sequence plays a role in number theory and algebraic structures. In computer science, the sequence is displayed in algorithms, data structures, and computational geometry. In art and design, the Fibonacci sequence is displayed to create aesthetically appealing designs, like the famous “The Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh.

The Fibonacci Sequence is a remarkable pattern that appears in nature, art, and mathematics. Its connection to the golden ratio and its presence in nature make it a fascinating subject of study and research. This just makes me appreciate nature’s beauty and makes me regret how little we reflect on the world around us. What are your thoughts on this beautiful sequence?

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