Being an Indigenous Ally
October 4th is recognized as Sisters in Spirit to remember missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit folks while also fighting to end colonialist violence.
Living in Canada gives every person who is not Indigenous the responsibility of taking time to learn and unlearn.
Mähsi cho to the aunties started this conversation and shared their ideas.
1. Recognize that colonialism and racism still exist
It can be easy to say, ‘that happened so long ago’ or ‘things are better now’ or even ‘well my grandparents participated in that, but I would never do something harmful’. These are ways of trying to avoid the ways that inequality still exists, which is a normal coping strategy. Nobody wants to feel like they have hurt someone.
Rethink that oppression must be huge and horrific actions. Yes, there are examples of Indigenous genocide happening today and those systems are held up by thousands of daily small bits of colonialism and racism that might almost be impossible for folks who are not targets to notice. There are so many ways, some subtle and others not subtle at all, that racism and colonialism are still working today.
The Indian Act still exists
Racism and colonialism can be a daily part of Indigenous and racialized folks’ lives. Some so subtle that as folks not living it, we might not notice it.
Although the Canadian-made and funded residential school system has been shut down, it has been morphed into the foster care system. Indigenous children are 8% of the population, yet 52% of kids in care are Indigenous.
Indigenous peoples are vastly overrepresented in the industrial prison system. As of the 2019 census, indigenous adults accounted for 31% admissions to territorial/provincial custody and 30% admissions to federal custody while representing only 4.5% of the Canadian population.
2. Listen to Indigenous folks
“Solidarity is only meaningful if it is substantive and not merely performative. This means showing up to support the community with your presence alone should be the baseline, not the end game.”
Being non-Indigenous means that we have a different role in ending colonialism. We are not always going to be in the spotlight, our needs won’t always come first. Thriving Indigenous nations and cultures need everyone involved and also Indigenous folks know their needs the best. We need to become really good listeners.
10 Ways to be a Genuine Ally with Indigenous Communities
“A Mind Spread Out on the Ground” by Alicia Elliott
“They Called Me Number One” by Bev Sellars
“The Right to be Cold” by Sheila Watt-Cloutier
We Were Children, film by Tim Wolochatiuk
“Indigenous Writes: A Guide to First Nations, Métis and Inuit Issues in Canada” by Chelsea Vowell
3. Be respectful. learn the history of people & the land
Part of colonialism working so well is settlers having reasons for why they believe(d) they had rights to use and ownership of the land that Indigenous nations had been living on and caring for throughout centuries. Recognize that all land in Canada is Indigenous land. Learn the names of the first peoples of the land. Know that you are a guest on this land and act like a good guest would.
Stealing of the land and the erasure of Indigenous culture looked different depending on where you are in Canada. Learn the history of how the land was taken. Learn about if agreements were made and how/if they were broken. Learn about Indigenous people fighting for their sovereignty and self-determination.
Together, Today for Our Children Tomorrow
In 1973, Elijah Smith and a delegation of Yukon Chiefs, including Dan Johnson of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation, went to Ottawa to meet with the Prime Minister of Canada. Armed only with their determination, courage and the historic document, Together Today For Our Children Tomorrow, they were able to convince the federal government to begin a negotiation process for a modern-day treaty, the first in Canada.
“Hammerstones: A History of the Tr'ondek Hwech'in” by Helene Dobrowolsky
“Gathering Moss” and “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer
“Gwich'in Ethnobotany” by Alestine Andre and Alan Fehr
Learn Indigenous place names
Indigenous Canada - free 12 week online course through University of Alberta
Secret Life of Canada - podcast with many episodes about the history of Indigenous peoples
4. Get to know people past the labels
Stereotypes are a really useful tool when a powerful group is trying to control a less powerful group. Often the folks in control will ‘other’ the less powerful group to justify their violence. Question where some of our common assumptions about Indigenous folks came from, why those assumptions might exist, and who benefits.
10 Myths About Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous Ally Toolkit: Things Not to Say
6. Celebrate Indigenous excellence and joy
We can fall into the trap of white saviour when we see Indigenous people as powerless and in need of rescuing. The struggles and oppression definitely need to be pointed out for discussion, but it can’t be the only discussion. One of the goals of ‘taking the Indian out of the child’ (said by Prime Minister Sir John McDonald about residential schools) was to eradicate Indigenous nations completely. If we only consider Indigenous folks as ‘historical’ we risk erasing their cultures in a different way. Share stories that show Indigenous folks thriving and Indigenous cultures as part of the future of this land.
Quannah Chasinghorse representing both her Hän Gwich’in and Sicangu/Oglala Lakota in her work
Pro skatboarder Dustin Henry designing boards with his grandmother’s and greatgrandmother’s mukluks and mitts on them
Yukon First Nations negotiating an unprecedented land claims agreement
More and more youth connecting with the land and traditional ways
Hän language revitalization
More highly recommended resources:
Truth and Reconciliation Report - “Honoring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future” - has calls to action both big and small that non-Indigenous folks can take on or advocate for
“Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls”
“Changing the Story to Upholding Dignity and Justice: Yukon’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-spirit+ People Strategy”
SISTERS IN SPIRIT
When: Monday, October 4th, 6pm-7pm
Where: Gathering at Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre, river walk to Front Street fire pit
Who: All are welcome
We come together to demand action to prevent the loss of our mothers, aunties, cousins, sisters, and daughters.
Join us for a gathering, walk along the Yukon River, and a bonfire on Front Street in solidarity to raise awareness about the indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit people who have been and continue to be murdered or disappear.
Everyone is welcome.
Click here to download a Sister in Spirit poster to print.
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
Show your support for families that have lost Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit folks and show your commitment to creating a world without violence by hanging red clothing outside your house October 1st to 8th.
Read more about why we use red clothing to remember and celebrate Indigenous women.
HǪZǪ ŁËKʼÄ̀NÄ̀CHA - WE TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER
Confronting the systemic violence of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit folks can bring up a lot of feelings.
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Support Line is a national, toll-free 24/7 crisis call line providing support for anyone who requires emotional assistance related to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. You can also access long-term health support services such as mental health counselling, community-based emotional support and cultural services and some travel costs to see Elders and traditional healers - 1-844-413-6649.
Hope for Wellness Help Line is available to all Indigenous peoples across Canada who need immediate crisis intervention. Experienced and culturally sensitive help line counsellors can help if you want to talk or are distressed.
Call 1-855-242-3310 (toll-free) or connect to the online Hope for Wellness chat.
Telephone and online counselling are available in English and French. On request, telephone counselling is also available in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut.
Sisters in Spirit in Dawson is organized by Dawson Women's Shelter, Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Youth Centre, and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Wellness Centre.
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