So, uh, are you one of those people who say ‘it’s so horrible but I don’t know what to do?’
And then, uh, you don’t do too much. Because you’re scared/frozen/actually indifferent.
Is that you?
Maybe you won’t ever say it’s you. But here’s where I become a little brave/audacious/in your face: if in 2018 you did the same amount of learning about Indigenous matters in Canada as you did in 2017, you aren’t working hard enough at being an ally. 2018 feminism ain’t what was happenin’ in 2017. Neither are the issues involved in the vitally important Black Lives Matter movement. If you want others to respect your claim that you are ‘wellrounded’/progressive/ anti-racist, you gotta do some lifting. Forever and always. The same as 2017 isn’t just neutral; it’s a step backwards. Maybe only one step. But let’s stop you in your tracks, talk about turning around, and then think of ways that you can do that proverbial ‘moving forward’.
I don’t write about this because I want to be friends with you – though that would be a wonderful bonus! I am getting on your case about Indigenous issues because you, as a person who has the privilege of being socially respected as a lawyer, trained in the areas of logic and justice and (almost) always makes lots more money than our neighbours. You might not want to ‘do more’, but here’s my take: you need to. In order for your legal practice to be as sound as it can be, and so that you can really be that Ms. Progressive on the Block, you can’t be stopped in your tracks about Indigenous issues anymore.
Here’s a short-term solution. It’s a to-do list. It ain’t too hard. But I’m willing to bet you haven’t done them yet.
- Be able to tell people what historic relationships with Indigenous peoples existed in the area where you grew up. Was a treaty made? Has a modern agreement been negotiated? Not from Canada? Not an excuse! Learn about your home country. Learn about this country. Be able to give that context to others if they ask (I’ll ask! J)
- Know the treaty that governs the space where you currently reside. If you have a mortgage, guess what? Being able to have that means you are pro-treaty! Otherwise, transfer of title to the Crown couldn’t happen, the Crown couldn’t allocate title to non-Crown parties, etc. etc. As the Office of the Treaty Commissioner in Saskatchewan regularly touts, “we are all treaty people”. And, my word, you are fabulous when you have read the treaty! That won’t take too long, I promise!
- Guess what? There are many many many many many MANY Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) that apply to you. (I could, ahem, say they all do, just sayin’). Look cool at work: Print a Call to Action and put it on that space that truly says who you are : your office door! (Okay I know you Bay Street hipsters don’t go for that). But print it out and put it somewhere! Have it work like an ally sticker about sexual orientation does for helping creating safe spaces and inspiring conversations in the immediate, short and long term future.
Now you may be one of those people who think a lot has been done for Indigenous peoples. I can say, in some respects, that is true.
But I can also tell you, as I revise this piece, that I can overhear a conversation in another booth of the restaurant I’m in. And the people in that booth have literally just said “They lived like animals. I’m sick and tired of hearing about apologies. They were lucky we came here.”
And these statements, as I overheard other sentences, did not come from someone who hasn’t received a ‘good’ education (post-secondary, professional). As I sit here, and try to contemplate whether that person doesn’t see me, doesn’t think it matters I overhear, doesn’t think my physical appearance might be part of a group his words harm, I want you to know: moments like this happen all the time. So, I need your help. I get injured this way a lot. And, of course, I am not alone.
I could say what I’ve asked you to is about being kind. Or about learning more about history. Or seeming knowledgeable.
But I also want to remind you of the following point: doing these things makes you a better lawyer. As some law firms have already determined, legal matters pertaining to Indigenous peoples take a certain base knowledge. The firms that only dabble, if I can be so bold, come and go and soon get a deserved reputation amongst us Indigenous folks as the financially equivalent to ‘ambulance chasers’. (And no, we won’t tell you you’ve developed that rep if you get it!). But if you do health, criminal, family , corporate, commercial, property, constitutional, natural resource- you get the picture- law, the legislation that has been imposed on Indigenous peoples and the historic relationships that supersede (yes!) other constitutional matters that you might think are set in some type of stone. You will fall behind. It’s about subjects, not just making friends.
But please please please think about being a good friend too.
So look up the Calls to Action. Search “Sports” , or “university” or “religious” or some other word that’s important to you. You will find a Call for your door.
Be able to say “I grew up in ______________ territory”. And say it humbly, assertively, and potentially have what you say asked about /corrected.
Tell others that your office is in “_____________ territory”. Ditto for how.
And now don’t forget the racism that is part of modern Canada. Reconciliation is not about those most harmed having the most work to do to escape that harm. It’s about a non-Indigenous person like you doing things that show an interest in learning, making mistakes while doing so, and letting us Indigenous folks realize we have a place to decompress, conspire, laugh. The damage those in the booth beside me do with their attitudes cannot be stopped in one fell swoop. But doing what you did in 2017 about Indigenous issues – and here is where I am pretty bold again- just won’t do. You have been a hard worker about so many things. You are the people our communities turn to for guidance about justice.
And you simply must do more.
And I have faith that you will do a terrific job.
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