It’s a White People Problem

It’s a well known fact that Canadian citizens are prone to abandoning Indigenous peoples.

There’s no support from the government or the media, and there have been no changes made to how our oppressive systems operate. Go figure.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

There’s a tendency for White Canadians in particular, but BIPOC folks in Canada too, to stop providing their support after enough time has created space between them and a tragedy or injustice.

It’s exhausting.

The trauma of colonization runs deep and that system of oppression is still alive and well today.

Indigenous folks don’t have the luxury of just forgetting about it, but everyone else seems to. And until they are no longer invisible on their own territories, it’s never going to get better.

It’s Time to Show Up

The Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island want their rights and freedoms. They want protection of the land, waters, people and creatures. All of this was stolen.

In a time when our planet, and where I live, is quite literally on fire, we need intentional stewardship more than ever. And the government has oppressed those who know our land and its creatures the most intimately.

Contrary to how these major issues are often framed, this is NOT an Indigenous problem. It’s everyone else’s problem.

The only way we can keep moving forward is by centering their voices, bringing up the problems that we have and the changes that we need to make in order to make our society better.

We need to function in a way that isn’t oppressing people.

Feel the Fear and then Do Something About It

There is so much that has happened, and continues to happen, that is absolutely horrifying. 

People start feeling terrorized by the fact that there is such a large amount of harm and injustice that has been done, and continues to happen.

This is a huge job. It is so huge that none of us seem to be able to get an actual handle on it. The problem is THAT big. And I can acknowledge that it’s hard for us to take ALL of the steps we need to take. 

Many of the calls to action on the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions report are community-based and cannot happen without everyone participating.

No matter what, we can’t sit in blissful ignorance.

If you haven’t read the TRC, either at all or since the pandemic, it’s time for a refresher. You can do so here:

https://nctr.ca/records/reports/

I recommend reading the reports annually, and seeing how you can support the Indigenous people in your community.