Taylor’s Top Ten Treaty-Ed Teachings

Teachings to follow as long as the sun shines, the grass grows, and the rivers flow.

How did I do on the alliteration?

For my final ECCU 400 project I have made a top ten list to highlight my main enlightenments over the course of this class. A lot of what we discussed was not new knowledge for me, but I believe that when exploring topics of justice and marginalization it is always good to be reminded, and to be open to looking at things in new perspectives, and this class certainly delivered that. PS – If you see links, please look at them and just skim the blog articles. I don’t expect you to seriously read all that is mentioned here!

I promised myself I would be to the point to keep this more effective. KGO.

Indigenous issues were in the past – BUT THEY ARE ALSO IN THE PRESENT.

To count them only as historical grievances means avoiding fixing the injustices going on today. Think in contemporary terms. We need to act now, not just learn about it in history books. Horrible reserve conditions, missing and murdered children and women, blatant and systemic racism – it is all here, and very close to home.

Kindness is important in achieving goals for justice.

Pam Palmater did not talk, in her speech, about raising pitchforks and going after racists. She talked about the importance of a “good old fashioned apology”. The gentleman at the Legislative building did not ask us to take up arms and go in guns ablazing. He asked for awareness of the issues we face, and to pass it on to others. Even Angela Davis, although she talked about things as radical as getting rid of policing as we know it, was calm and rational through all of her speaking. She expressed how, to help women overall, we need to reach down and offer hands to those of us who are lower on the triangle hierarchy of power right now, to truly break the ceiling of patriarchy. I have learned from people (the greatest resources) this semester that self-care, advocating for those who are marginalized, and personally seeking and offering ways to help, are good ways to approach social justice, and too, reconciliation. And don’t confuse kindness with passivity and inaction – you can act, but you can act with kindness. You can show strength in kindness. I do talk about scenarios where I understand when using force to demand rights is best – after all, some people have been trying peace for years and it has not gotten them anywhere.

However, if we are in a position of privilege to talk with other privileged peoples about changing mindsets, I think kindness is a first, because is our end goal a world of hatred, or a world of love? I find that getting angry is so tiring and draining, spiritually. I would rather seek my inner power from positive sources, live love, laughter, and art. I expect many oppressed peoples would like to feel this way, too – but can’t, because they need to fight a daily fight to be treated as equal.

We need to hold people accountable when it comes to oppression or ignorance of any kind.

State facts, don’t attack personally, but defend why someone’s behavior is racist in a certain moment. Point it out, don’t let it pass. Angela Davis holds people accountable – for example when she said that YOU, as a man, might not demean women behind closed doors, but as a man who wants equal rights you still have a duty to call ANY OTHER MEN out on acting that way. If you aren’t going to be a teacher, a voice to counteract the hate, nobody is going to learn. And it isn’t going to be easy. I have begun honest (and messy) conversations with family about racism. I am starting to realize moreso who to keep in my life that will push me further, and those who will hold me back if I give them the chance. Some other situations where I have learned firsthand the power of being accountable: the bake sale “pressure” at the ReconciliACTION event to go beyond passively throwing in money, to actively educating myself on a topic; and the day with the Justice for Our Stolen Children Camp where I saw Angela’s propositions be put into practise.

Find personal connections and hold on to them to help you relate.

I talk in this blog about the personal perspectives that I bring to the haunting past (and present) of residential school abuse. I am a person who believes that pain is pain, and to compare levels of pain and “whose is worse” does not get either person healing. The more we can relate to it and see… “You are suffering through something, just like I suffered through something, and this is how I felt” the more I believe we can heal together and help one another. This is why I have to nod along when survivors say that they find healing in sharing their stories to people who can listen (and understand and sympathize). I also understand how vulnerable those survivors must feel sharing stories to a large number of people who deny that residential schools were a cultural and physical genocide, and claim people are milking it. Do these people even realize how cold it is to judge another person’s grief on a scale of importance? All trauma and grief is heartbreaking, and requires love and support to overcome.

Follow the news.

CBC: Unreserved, CBC: Indigenous, APTN. Particularly, news from a marginalized group about a certain group. Follow diverse news, not just what pops up on your Facebook feed (yikes!) Yes, stories about Indigenous peoples will make it into mainstream news, but are not going to give you the most comprehensive and accurate understanding of their culture and current issues. When I asked Sylvia Smith what I could do, this was her best advice, and still is. News is not static – it is not one single webpage of “Indigenous Peoples Facts” that can be current today, and outdated tomorrow. The news is evolving and growing, just as we the people are. And most importantly, make sure you are balancing bad news with good news. If all you have heard about is how the government is failing Indigenous peoples (they are and I do not want to undermine the tragedy of this) you will need a pick me up – so read about the wonderful contemporary Indigenous cultures in Canada. Read about a local and recent powwow, or a reconciliation art contest and its winners. If you look for it, you will find it, and it will help you realize how strong and beautiful Indigenous peoples are.

Find your niche – your purpose.

You can support everything reconciliation based but if you find a particular passion – follow it as far as it will take you. As Ann Perry says you may not make a lot of friends – but in the end, I think you will make ones that count. I have been talking with my mom at length about this gentleman who is raising awareness and encouraging discussion about justice and reconciliation. She told me, “You know, people say he needs to get a job – but what he is doing right now is his purpose in life.” She thinks it is an important purpose and that he should be honoured, after he has left, by having the teepee remain as a community meeting place. She also thinks there should be a plaque in Wascana honouring what was done there. I am proud of my mama for thinking of something I didn’t even think of. I am happy that Prescott has found a purpose and is touching so many lives.

Do the “little things” that add up.

Write a letter to the PM. Go to Reconciliation or any kind of social justice workshops. Go to powwows. Take opportunities, make time for opportunities. I helped take a man home in a blizzard, and my perspectives on what little things and big things are changed considerably. I was going to buy hand soap that day, and instead I helped a man find shelter. It took 30 minutes out of my day. Little thing or a big thing – you decide. I have had so many great opportunities for learning because of this class – when I went to the museum I was sorely disappointed with the material BUT, once again, people are the best to learn from. I walked through the museum with a young Cree boy and an older relative, and he taught him “amisk”. I (being snoopy) asked what that meant and he replied, “It is beaver, in Cree.” It always pays to ask – how I know the local name of my favourite wild creature!!

Read Chelsea Vowel.

I really have to say no more. Just read Chelsea Vowel. Here is her online blog, and buy Indigenous Writes. She speaks with a passion for social justice that many people may write off as snarky, but she speaks the truth and everything she says I have to nod along to. My favourite thing I have read from her is in Indigenous Writes, when she suggests that, if we are not happy with how we are referred to in English terms (settler, Caucasian, non-Indigenous, white, etc.) we should look up what we would be called in a local Indigenous language. This incited anger in me as I realize “No, I want to be called by a name of my choosing” yet she is pointing out how this is essentially what colonial settlers have done to marginalized groups for centuries – choose their own names, for a different group of people.

If you are going to be in it, be in it. Show integrity.

For example, Prescott highlighted a serious issue when he said that all of the fancy “modern” institutions are doing land claims, acknowledging and “honouring” they are located on traditional First Nations land. But as soon as First Nations peoples motion a want to actually make use of their rights, the people and their systems get nervous and oppositional, or dig their heels in. I think I have done a good job showing integrity this class.

Navigate carefully the waters of cultural appropriation. If you like Indigenous art, go and support Indigenous artists right from their independent shops. Put your money where your mouth is. Buy their art. Your money will make a difference in the lives of that Indigenous person and their families. As Pam Palmater says, if you want to help, tell us how: can we have land? Money? Time?

Pass on your experiences to your students. Inspire them.

Tell them your good stories, your heartbreaking stories – tell it all, and give them avenues to begin their own journeys. Show them 150 ways to reconcile. Explore the news with them. Take them to Indigenous cultural events, and yes, make sure they learn about the injustices being done to Indigenous peoples too. Check out Project of Heart with your students and teach them about things like Jordan’s Principle. As Sylvia Smith says, “Speak from the heart”, because everything else “You can flush.”

#thisisnottheend #thisisjustthebeginning

Saskatchewan Coalition Against Racism (SCAR) – Camp Outside of the Leg Building

As I write my reflections, I will write with this important disclaimer: I will not include the name of the gentleman who shared his stories and purposes for doing this with us, and I will not include details of his personal stories.

This reasoning is twofold: Firstly, I understand the importance of privacy and that he may not want everything he shared with us to be shared with the whole world.

Second, I want to strongly encourage anyone who visits Regina, or especially who lives in Regina, to stop by and show your support to this gentleman, and the others who have been part of this camp. Even if you feel “on the fence” about Indigenous justice issues, I encourage you to ask to be invited in, sit down, open your ears, and listen. Give them an hour, and see how you feel coming out of that teepee. Be sure to sign the guest book!

When I got there at 3 pm on what looked to be a busy Thursday at the Legislative Building, I was greeted with a scene I knew I was likely to see. Banners highlighting the injustices done to youth in Saskatchewan. A tally board counting how many days the group has been camping. And a little makeshift village, a home away from home, with a sharp and deep purpose: To raise awareness for racism.

A gentleman came out, tall with long black hair, and he mentioned he was checking to see what was going on because he heard some talking. We talked a bit, I explained we were here as a University class and were wondering if he would be interested in sharing some stories with us. He agreed quickly, and that was that. Two hours later, and he had no shortage of things to tell us. I found myself able to relate, to have a dialogue where I could speak and ask questions too. I thanked him for his kindness and generosity, and he in turn thanked us for being here to tell his stories and thoughts to.

I assessed how much my prejudice had led me astray from the experience I was actually immersed in. When I got there, I thought that the protesters would be too busy in their own world to have time to talk to us. Boy, was I wrong. I also worried that, if they did talk to us, it would be off the walls radical, emotionally heated screaming, and so on, and they would hold us hostage until we agreed to be just as radical. Again, no. I had the misconception that they would not be socially-minded because they had been camping for 44 days not in their homes, but this entire event seems to have made them entirely socially-minded. People were coming and going to talk to them everyday, and also… my settler mindset was severely shaken up when he explained to us that he finds it funny that the media is saying “they (meaning him) are sleeping and living there illegally”, when so many big, fancy institutions (like the U of R) do land acknowledgements, honoring the traditional lands of First Nations peoples. Land is acknowledged and honoured, but when it comes time to actually “allow” Indigenous peoples to use their land – complications ensue. Ideas of private property and needing a home to be a fully-functioning human, are very colonial mindsets. How arrogantly ironic it is to (presumably be a settler, descended from many people who moved to a new country before arrangements were made with the original occupants of the country) tell an Indigenous person they are on some land “illegally”. This interesting situation is likely why the RCMP have not forcibly removed them from the spot.

So no. This gentleman was not ranting and raving. He was, however, very passionate about justice and about Indigenous traditions and ways of knowing being respected. He spoke in a calm, quiet, slow voice. He explained that this was an act to raise awareness – he wasn’t there to raise hell. He said there essentially is no end goal of camping there, no ultimatum to bargain with – if my understanding is correct, he just wants those in positions of power, in government structures, to begin to see from the other side.

The Legislative Building also has not come forward to talk to the campers. The explanation was that they need an invitation, and I laughed and exclaimed, before I could even think of the words coming out of my mouth, “Isn’t being here on your doorstep invitation enough?” The Legislative staff are likely wondering what political, formal agreements the campers want them to come to, when really, I think the campers just want them to acknowledge their humanity.

If we, a group of university students, can come into the teepee and listen to a new perspective for two hours – surely to god the staff at the Legislative building can bridge some connections, make a friendship or two, and seek understanding.

Some valuable things I took away from this was:

1. The sacred fire. Although it was freezing cold, we were toasty warm from this sacred fire which had been burning since they began camping there. He explained that the word for fire also mean’s a woman’s heart, in Cree.
2. Indigenous people are a commodity. I can honestly say I had never looked at it from this perspective before, but if you think about it – thousands of Indigenous children in child care services, in jails, and so on… They provide child care workers, prison guards, etc. jobs. It shouldn’t be that way. We should not need the amount of jobs that we currently have filled, in a better world in our future – sorry, prison guards and social workers.
3. There were 500 signatures signed in their guest book. I hope there will be over a thousand next month.
4. We participated in a smudging. Another person joined us in the teepee and was asked to smudge us. He asked to clarify that we were sober, and I believe that was new learning for some people – you cannot be smudged if you are under any kind of influence. You need to be clean.
5. Sometimes a hug works as the best thank you. I asked him if he was a hugger and we had a good hug before I left!

There was much more learning that went on – but you know what – you will just have to go there to find out!! The Legislative Building shouldn’t be too hard to find. And feel free to leave a comment if you have went, or decided to go after reading this blog.

 

Treaty Walk in the Village (OTV)

ECCU 400 (Treaties in the Classrooms) at our Treaty Walk in the Village event

As per a classmate’s request, I am going to write a bit about the reconciliation event that we did at Orange Tree Village on April 5!

I had initially approached this, in my mind, from an “I am going to impart knowledge onto you” perspective, but as soon as I was in the middle of it all, I realized that it was a very casual and conversational atmosphere, and that was the right way to do it. It was not going to be a one-sided lecture from anyone. I had some preservice teachers come up to my table and I handed out my adapted checklists on how to choose literature that promotes diversity and does not marginalize Indigenous peoples. They asked for lists and took photos, and I was so impressed and pleased with their active engagement!

We had backdrops and resources to help us with our presentations, but the most important resources in the room were the people – the guests and the presenters. The event was, in large part, a historically and continually privileged group of peoples asking many others in that same group to acknowledge that privilege and work to make the world a better place for marginalized groups. I had Indigenization resources to share, and another classmate set up right next to me with a project on White Privilege, which of course attracted a lot of interest, and I joined in on those conversations as well.

We had a range of reactions, from keen interest, to passing glances, to honest confusion and curiosity. I loved all of the conversations I had. First of all, I love meeting new faces and hearing perspectives, but I also liked that what we were doing meant something. We were entirely taking a stand and showing our beliefs in something – in justice for all people. I think a lot of people acted a bit quizzical because they thought that we (the collective we, of Canada) were further along than we actually are – but we are still at a point where we have to have teach-ins like this to highlight basic injustices being done! Most people, however, did seem knowledgeable on the subject, and were upset but not surprised at injustices being done. It was nice to see support and have some sense of hope that communities are moving forward in their mindsets to ones of social justice.

Out of all of the reactions we had, we did not have any people (that I am aware of) be openly angry and express digging their heels in on the approaches to reconciliation and treaty learning that we were proposing. I did however see an example of this when another ECCU400 class did their ReconciliACTION event at the University of Regina. Although I was not presenting, I did what I could to try to have a civil but enlightening conversation with the gentleman. As educators it was a good taste of what still may be to come as we navigate the waters of teaching social justice to young ones. Some people resist it and we need to know how to navigate it for everyone’s well being, including our own.

We managed to raise $40 from our bake sale, and donated money to the Camp: Justice for our Stolen Children, through the Sask Coaliation Against Racism, who is nearing 50 days of being camped outside of the Legislative Building. You can read more about the group by checking out their Facebook page. Their camping directly in front of the Legislative Building is bringing awareness to the injustices Indigenous peoples face right here in our province.

Thanks for listening, and if I can ask one thing of anyone who has read about this event and is curious what they too can do to help promote good treaty relations and reconciliation… Google “150 Acts of Reconciliation for Canada’s 150th” and begin your journey.

If you would like to check out more photos of our past event, visit our Facebook event group Treaty Walk in the Village.

I Was “Forced” to Read the Rights of Indigenous Peoples! Thank You!

I had to appreciate the clever approach that Audrey’s ECCU 400 class took to their #ReconciliACTION event. There was baking for sale for a minimum of a $1 donations (if I understood correctly, it is all going to the folks camping outside of the Legislative Building for justice for Boushie and Fontaine) BUT…

The catch.

As I turned my new cookie over, it told me this…

#reconciliACTION baking with responsibilities attached and minimum $1 donation. Good job prompting us to action. pic.twitter.com/wuhDxmTsby

— Taylor Harder (@trharder94) March 26, 2018

 

They had written 1 of 150 ways to reconcile with Indigenous peoples on the back of each baking item. WOW – powerful and completely in theme with the idea of going beyond words and empty promises and actually doing something to help.

I was so intimidated by seeing “Read the UN Declaration” at first that I almost put the cookie back to try to look for a less intimidating one, and in that moment of reflection I thought: Aha – here I am as a white person, thinking I can change my mind and only help others to the extent it conveniences me. I had already went around telling everyone I know that it has taken Canada a decade to admit what the Human Rights tribunal has declared, and the majority of other countries have voted Yes to… Now I need to read what it is actually all about. If you look at the 150 to Reconcile pdf I linked to, most of them have links that you can click on, to save the busy work of hunting down these resources. Here is the UN pdf I was told to read:

Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

So I stopped myself, took my cookie with purpose, and also took a brownie (which happened to have the cultural appropriation vs. appreciation blog post from Chelsea Vowel that I had already read!)

I will share some of the parts (in terms of triumphs for Treaty Education) that stood out to me most, below:

Considering that the rights affirmed in treaties, agreements and other
constructive arrangements between States and indigenous peoples
are, in some situations, matters of international concern, interest,
responsibility and character,
Considering also that treaties, agreements and other constructive
arrangements, and the relationship they represent, are the basis for a
strengthened partnership between indigenous peoples and States,

Article 5
Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and strengthen their
distinct political, legal, economic, social and cultural institutions,
while retaining their right to participate fully, if they so choose, in
the political, economic, social and cultural life of the State.

Article 10
Indigenous peoples shall not be forcibly removed from their lands or
territories. No relocation shall take place without the free, prior and
informed consent of the indigenous peoples concerned and after
agreement on just and fair compensation and, where possible, with
the option of return.

Article 8, 2.

States shall provide effective mechanisms for prevention of, and
redress for:
(a) Any action which has the aim or effect of depriving them
of their integrity as distinct peoples, or of their cultural values
or ethnic identities;
(b) Any action which has the aim or effect of dispossessing
them of their lands, territories or resources;
(c) Any form of forced population transfer which has the aim
or effect of violating or undermining any of their rights;
(d) Any form of forced assimilation or integration;
(e) Any form of propaganda designed to promote or incite
racial or ethnic discrimination directed against them.

Not only does this hold Canada accountable for creating good relations with Indigenous peoples, it holds us accountable to “prevent” and “redress” any wrongs being done, as well.

My final question, in regards to ACTION in reconciliation, is – who is going to connect the dots between the rights secured for Indigenous peoples in this Declaration and the unjust verdict of the Stanley case? I am not a lawyer but even as a layperson I can see arguments that can be formed, using this international body of law to challenge the Canadian justice system. Surely this document has to count for something – it can’t just be a “guideline” book to follow – there has to be some pull, right?!

Honoring Children and Youth (Connecting Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples) – My Discussion with Ann Perry of TCP

 

 

 

Regina CTV’s Covering of Going Beyond Words (I am in it!)

Mobile Crisis Helpline: (306) 757-0127

 

In another of my blog posts I will certainly talk about my learning at Going Beyond Words: Honoring Children and Youth, but this post is dedicated to Ann Perry, our two similar stories, and my personal journey of compassion and caring, for others and myself.

The image at the top of this page is the medicine wheel, and also the logo of The Circle Project. Ann Perry of The Circle Project is a very cool woman. Very honest, very blunt, but very caring and emotional at the same time. A little white lady. She reminds me a lot of myself, and so I was drawn to her right away. I listened to everything she said at the conference intently, especially about her helping someone find a ride and stay out of the blizzard we had a month back, and the importance of self care when you are a social activist (it sounds sort of ironic – but as she made me tell myself – I can’t continue to help others if I am not safe/well).

I had a similar story to hers to share. I hadn’t thought of sharing it with anyone in regards to connecting it to my treaty walk, but I realized that it made perfect sense to do so, because what I did was an example showing my dedication to caring about and helping people – and, if at the heart of honoring treaties we are not helping reconcile Indigenous and non-Indigenous PEOPLE, then what are we really doing?

So, I told it to Ann, and I will tell it to you now.

I approached her to tell my own story, with this question in mind: Did I do things right, and how could I have done better? Read my story below.

When I was picking up groceries and doing laundry, a blizzard was beginning in Regina. This is the blizzard that would end up giving us 35 cm of snow! I had told myself I would quickly get everything done so I could stay in my house for the foot of snow that I knew would be coming that weekend.

As I was pulling out of the laundromat, I noticed a man in a wheelchair trying to get through the snow. He was very impressive with maneuvering his wheelchair but I knew that the snow was going to be a serious impediment to him getting to a bus stop or wherever he needed to go, and although he looked determined, he also looked like he might honestly freeze before he could get somewhere warm and safe.

Initially I asked him what I could do to help. I assessed right away that he was an Indigenous man, and that he had a visible disability, and that he was middle-aged or possibly a senior. He said I could give him 3 dollars to get on the bus. He did not sound angry, his voice was clear and he was thankful and polite. I said I can do that.

As I was getting his change, I asked him where his stop was and he pointed and I realized the stop was out of our sight. A long ways away. He was alone, I was concerned for his safety, and I had an afternoon to kill. So I asked if his wheelchair could fold up, he said yes, and I helped him in my car.

(When Ann told her story, she said how disgusted she was when she saw her friend’s case worker shake out a towel and lay it on the car seat so he wouldn’t get it dirty. She said, imagine how he must feel – being treated like a dirty dog. When I invited my gentleman in the wheelchair into my car, nothing like that crossed my mind, and so I was disgusted right along with Ann.)

I asked where we were going and he replied his nephew’s house. He said he doesn’t have anywhere to sleep and to try there. My heart was breaking for him, but I reflected that it will likely be good to stay with family through the blizzard.

Along the way we had a conversation at length. I said my heart was broken and he asked what was going on with my boyfriend. I replied that it was indeed a woman, and I will never forget his response: “You are on the funny side, aren’t ya?” We laughed and laughed, and I pretended to take offense and then he backtracked and apologized, saying there is nothing wrong with it and that his sister is a lesbian. At one point he ended up calling me “a Cool Chick”. Love that title! He had tears in his eyes and he said “Thank you” many times. I felt like he needed a bit of hope and kindness that day – and after my own personal issues going on, it was just nice to connect with someone.

It wasn’t until we were almost done our journey that he said something along the lines of, “I would have been able to do this if I wasn’t drunk.” I was taken by surprise because he seemed so chatty and lucid – but, indeed, he had been drinking.

We ended up in North Central (wow – I keep getting pulled back there like a magnet, eh?) and I asked where his house was and he said “We’re in the ‘hood now!” When we got to his nephew’s house I was about to leave the car and he got nervous and said I should be careful. It was at that point that adrenaline and my compassion was turning to a bit of a reality-check and concern for my own safety. He said it should be OK in the daytime, but I called my mom at this point, quickly updated her, and asked her to stay on the line with me through everything.

When I got to the door, a woman answered. I asked if _____ (a man) was there, and – bless my naive soul – it probably didn’t sound that great to be a strange woman coming up to the door and asking for her husband/boyfriend. She sized me up and looked concerned and said no. I said I have his uncle in my car. She straight away asked me, is he drunk. I said yes. Children came to the door, and I ended up meeting this man’s grandchildren! They were friendly and introduced themselves to me, and I to them. She firmly told me that their rule is that he is to not be around when he is drunk.

The logic going through my mind (whether it was the right decision or not, I still do not know) was to fight to have him stay there, because it was the only warm place he seemed to be able to think of to stay at through the blizzard, and I really did not want to call the RCMP. She asked “What about Phoenix?” and at that point I thought Phoenix must be the name of a case worker assigned to him – so I said I have no idea who that is, I am just a stranger. I stood and talked with her a good few minutes and we came to the decision that he could stay. I waited until I saw him go inside, and then I let mom know I was safe and hung up, and cried before driving back home.

I ended up seeing the man a couple weeks later. Same place, but no blizzard this time. I went to give him a hug, but he seemed to be less lucid than before, was telling me where he needed to go (I think expecting a ride) and had blood across his face. I felt like I was in fight or flight mode – I was scared to see the blood, and a situation I felt was way over my head – and, that time, I chose to tell him to take care and left him to wheel off down the street. I wanted to help, but this time I did not know how, and I froze. I knew survival wise that it was warm out and he would not freeze… but it was not the (unrealistic) happy ending I had been hoping for, after our last encounter.

The best part of this, is that Ann knew exactly who it was that I was referring to. She affectionately called him a sweetheart. She made three good points that provided considerable reflection and wisdom for me, and hopefully will for you all as well:

1. Someone was looking out for me, and this man. She said the Creator was looking out for us, and that what happened was meant to happen that day, I assume for learning and relationship building. We were supposed to find each other. I will remember that day as long as I live, and will likely remember every vivid detail.
2. It is dangerous to let a stranger into my car. I am a tiny white woman. I said “Should I not have?” and she said “I don’t believe in shoulds and should nots. What happened happened.” Ann did clarify that there are Indigenous peoples in the city who hate white people, with racism to such a violent point that they would hurt them, and so I too could have been seriously hurt.
3. I countered, telling her I could not think of what else to do, because I did not want to call the RCMP. I do not have a high level of trust in the RCMP/police. She nodded in understanding and informed me of Mobile Crisis Services, a social group that can be contacted in the city to help people in trouble. Also, referring to point 1, Ann said that because of this situation, when I talked to the gentleman’s nephew’s friend about Phoenix Residential Society which he was associated with.

When she asked what it is I am going to do for a career, I told her I was an elementary teacher, and she smiled and nodded. It is moments like that that I realize I am on the right path.

And – when I was driving my gentleman through the blizzard, he asked me, “Are you Christian?” (I believe he asked me this because I was being charitable.) Instead of answering yes or no, I said, “I am an elementary teacher.” So, yes, I do feel like it is a bit of a calling.

I do not know this gentleman’s story – I do not know how he ended up in his wheelchair, or how he developed his drinking problem. Perhaps there are connections to residential schooling, or other systemic racist structures that have oppressed him. I did not think it remotely appropriate to bring that kind of talk up with him, and we enjoyed our car conversation that day very much. I can only hope that I did as much as one person can do, to try to show him that I want to reverse that – I want things to change, and I want healing to begin. I also know he has a beautiful family – beautiful grandkids – and I hope he finds the strength in himself to heal, for them. I could see the pride in his eyes when he talked about them.

Supporting Indigenous Arts – Check This Out!

Click me, and go to “Sakewewak”!

Check out this website! I am making a separate blog post for this because as I walk forward in my knowledge of treaties, my mind keeps going back to the idea of supporting the Indigenous communities locally through the arts. I figure that if something gnaws at you this much, it must mean you need to do something.

Chelsea Vowel said that if you appreciate something artistic or beautiful in a culture, show its appreciation to the people who are still keeping it alive. She stressed going right to individual artists, instead of buying something (for example a dreamcatcher, or moccasins) you think is Indigenous-made but is actually mass-produced in a factory by a big brand who gives little or no proceeds to actual Indigenous communities.

I think this keeps rolling around in my head because I really want to act in a way that will bring us closer to reconciliation, peace, and harmony. I also am a fan of the arts (I volunteer at a theatre in Swift Current and play the trumpet, and am learning guitar!) and acknowledge how closely tied the arts are to their cultures.

So, I did a simple Google search, and in under one minute I found this awesome site you can access through the link above!! It brings attention to Indigenous artists who create works based off of contemporary issues. If you look at the Blog, you can see where viewings and art sales are going on. So handy and meaningful!

My only regret is that I didn’t know about this Storytellers Festival sooner, to attend!

Edit: I just realized that this blog has not been updated in two years, so that does rain a bit on my parade of celebrating this site. In its place, I invite you to join me over at my next blog, where I share Chelsea Vowel’s blog collection of local artisans!

An Evening with Angela Davis – My Thoughts

Angela Davis

The evening started off with Norma Jean Byrd, an Elder who works here in Regina, giving land acknowledgement and bringing attention to the murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls.

(Just looking up the CBC link to post, I realized CBC was still using the word Aboriginal. I reflected, briefly: I wonder if, perhaps all of this confusion will lead to people eventually doing the right thing and, whenever possible, avoiding the umbrella term and referring to the specific Nations that are living on the local land – the Cree, the Saulteux, and so on.)

I had never heard of Angela Davis until I heard she would be at the U of R, but figured that in the spirit of my treaty walk and my promise to try things that a) are free and b) are on campus, I would go and check this out. I could understand everything she was saying, and I loved the inclusivity she brought to the table (not in terms of the “inclusive” movement which I will touch on shortly, but rather her personal inclusivity) of all races, backgrounds, sexualities, genders, and socio-economic statuses.

If I had watched her three years ago I likely would have felt threatened, scared, and offended. I would have called her radical, and I still do today, but the difference now is – I support her.

She spoke about inclusivity in a negative way, and I had never heard it looked at through that lens before, but it made sense to me immediately. She said that if you are talking about being inclusive and you are a person from a background of privilege and power, you need to be careful to distinguish that that doesn’t mean you want everyone to be included in the certain societal structure in which you earn that privilege at someone’s expense. Don’t become the black man who says “Pull your socks up and work hard, that is how you will get over this” to another black person being oppressed by a systemic level of racism. As a white person, don’t extend your hand but really mean: “Stay in my world, but know your place in it.” If I gather her thoughts correctly, it is this: We do not want to be included in the current structures that be, because they still oppress us – you can count us out! (I believe that, as a woman who identifies as queer, I can be included in this “us”.)

I liked how Angela Davis drew attention to the tragic situation of how a voting system, over 200 years outdated and rooted in slavery, is what managed to get Donald Trump in as President. A vile and racist man – immediately succeeding Obama, who was both black and an incredible human being. Trump was not the popular vote, but the voting system was actually designed to give states that had more white support of slavery, more power. Wow.

This immediately had me reflecting on Chelsea Vowel’s claims in her Indigenous Writes book that, in Aboriginal Law, even the people who made up some of the ridiculous laws are not aware of how they work. It is clear that, laced throughout all of North America, there are legal structures that need to be dismantled and not only “tweaked”, but, quite frankly, re-imagined, with an accurate representation and clear voice from the people who are served by those structures.

Angela also made the analogy of women in a triangle, with the most privileged at top (white, rich, heterosexual, able-bodied) and least privileged at the bottom (minorities, poor, LGBTQ, disabled). Not in regards to worth, obviously, but in regards to current levels of power and empowerment. She argued that if the women’s movement (or any activism in regards to furthering women empowerment) only consists of white women reaching their hands out to other white women, that is only going to move the top tier of the triangle forward. Furthermore, with that weak of a grouping, they won’t be able to shatter the glass ceiling at the top. Women who have privilege need to reach down and offer a hand up to women at the bottom of the triangle, and everyone will move upwards, and then there will be the power needed to shatter that ceiling and break out of oppression.

Angela talked about how Trump deceived the poor, working-class white people into believing it was immigrants and other oppressed groups who were taking their jobs and freedoms away, when in actuality it was essentially people like him (big business and capitalism). The rich get rich, the poor get poor, as Leonard Cohen so poetically wrote. I can see some parallels of that going on in Saskatchewan society, too, saying Indigenous peoples are being given handouts, or that immigrants are taking our jobs away, too. I think that the white people of Saskatchewan need to seriously ask themselves how they can help, instead of complaining, because helping those around them will also help themselves. Immigrants and Indigenous peoples are not going away – and their problems are also not going away without our help and action. Many people, I believe, are far too selfish and closed-minded to see those connections.

She also discusses how people in the Me Too movement are tending to only blame individual men for actions, instead of holding all men (and actually people) accountable to ending sexual abuse. She gave the example of the Olympic coach who molested girls for years, and girls were speaking out about it and several bystanders (whether it be parents, other coaches, and so on) did nothing. This hit close to home, as my hometown is Swift Current, the place where that Graham James’s sexual abuse as a hockey coach came to light.

Even if you are not a predator and can claim innocence on your part – as a man with privilege you still have a responsibility to ensure your sons do not become predators and that your daughters do not become attacked. If you think you know something is going wrong, you need to offer your support to survivors and be strong enough to interfere with a cycle of abuse that is happening. She pleaded that, even if you know you wouldn’t make the lewd comments that you hear in the locker room… if you hear a comment from a guy, call him out on it next time. Be the change, don’t be a bystander, because neutrality is just as hurtful as oppression.

This all fits in to the idea of my treaty walk because it resonates the idea that you don’t have to be the victim, or the perpetrator, to take action and create a better world. The first step is talking about it – better yet, having a dialogue.

ECCU 400 Choice Project – Critiquing Royal Sask Museum

Assessing the Museum

Please feel free to check out my “assessment” and virtual tour of the Royal Sask Museum for Treaty Education. There are three parts (approximately 20 minutes of your time). It includes my critical and personal thoughts and concerns, and I would love to hear what answers or feedback you have after watching!

For those who are deaf or hard of hearing, my speaking notes are included in a word document in the link above. Each number stands for the picture in the slideshow. 🙂