rec·on·cil·i·a·tion
rekənˌsilēˈāSH(ə)n/noun
- the restoration of friendly relations.
The Canadian Federal Government has concluded its Truth & Reconciliation Report in regards to Canadian Aboriginals, serving as a platform for Canadian and Indigenous people to move forward without restriction. This has been years in the making and thankfully our current Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau has laid the foundation for nuturing and healing going forward with relations. As many Canadians know, the history in dealings with Aboriginals is a dark one.
I could type on and on about the injustices of the past but I'd rather you look for yourself. These videos and links certainly sum up the ever-present problems we as indigenous people have had for centuries.
Reconciliation chair says final report marks start of 'new era'- Susana Mas, CBC News
Poverty & Inequality fuelling suicide crisis, First Nations Leader says - Tim Fontaine, CBC News
Red tape thwarting plans of McMurray Metis Local to rebuild - Shari Narine, Sweetgrass Contributing Editor
These are just some of the stories and issues that have plagued us or are plaguing us now. Anyone living in Canada probably has had some interaction with Indigenous people or have heard stories about Canada's role (or lack thereof) in bridging the gap between the 'red' and 'white' people of this great nation.
Instead of focusing on the negative history of Canadian Aboriginals, we MUST move forward and grow as the Canadian government seems to want to correct the mistakes of the past. The hurt of the past is real. Reconciliation only begins with acceptance. Acceptance from both sides to reach common ground, for we only have one Canada and one world in which to live.
As an aboriginal person myself (Chippewas of Rama First Nations), I have seen firsthand the seclusion of indigenous people to their tiny reserves, to which there lies little to no infastructure in which to even just survive, let alone thrive in their communities. The problem grows larger and larger the more remote one goes to a reserve. And since such communities are such great distances the cost of living is almost double of what more southern aboriginal people experience.
We have tried in the past to lead our people into self-governance and to grow our cultures, just to have governmental 'red tape' and lack of funding stop us, a sentiment heard all too much within the indigenous community. It can be said that those reserves that do flourish usually have some outside source to help such communities. I have seen it firsthand with Casino Rama, one of the most popular casinos in Ontario. The impact that this establishment has brought to the Chippewas of Rama is invaluable. It has made our reserve on of the most desired frameworks in which to have a self-sustaining community. But our case is a special one and not all reserves have this luck. Many only have the most basic stores and offices, leaving many to rely on Ontario Works or some form of funding to help on-reserve people live. This also doesn't speak on aboriginal people off-reserve. I am one of those people. I was officially designated 'Aboriginal' in July of 2012 due to Bill-C3 being passed by legislation. There is certainly a change from being considered 'caucasian' to 'aboriginal'. I cannot count the amount of retail stores that will not accept my status card for lesser tax due to 'not being in their policy.' I cannot also count the amount of times I have left said stores and have had negative feelings about the stores, or ultimately the brand. Will these issues ever change?
Finally, after many centuries, they finally are...
PM Justin Trudeau offers apologies to Indigenous leaders for Canada's past mistakes - picture from CBC News
For the first time in my existence (I'm almost 40 now) I am finally seeing real change happening from all sides to this issue. The Truth & Reconciliation report opened up the eyes of many Canadians of our rocky relationship, one that is being healed now. By far this acknowledgement from the Canadian parliament comes with open arms to all aboriginal people. Finally having 'our back' will help us showcase what Canadian aboriginal people can do, including eliminating our aging population crisis we are currently experiencing.
It is all on the hands of our aboriginal youth.
That's a mighty bold statement to make.
Let me show you how we can get there while still preserving the teachings, songs and culture from our past.
First Nations youth under 24 is Canada's fastest growing demographic. There has never in Canada's history been more indigenous youth in this country. And that speaks volumes towards our need for change. Let me give you some stats first:
from http://www.collegesinstitutes.ca/policyfocus/indigenous-learners/
The framework is in place now for our First Nations students to thrive and show the world their unbelievable talent that had gone to the wayside for far too long. That being said, we have an oness on ourselves to make Canada one of the greatest places on earth to live while combating some issues that hamper our growth. As I had mentioned before, our aging population in Canada is growing and growing. More care is needed to help the aged live their daily lives. More and more transfer payments from the Government is required to sustain lifestyles. And this trend shows no signs of slowing down.
The number of people aged 65 or more could double in the next 20 years - - Marie-Claude Langlois, Reference and Strategic Analysis Division Parliament Hill
As information from Statistics Canada shows, there is no sign of the aging population slowing down anytime soon. If anything, the problem will worsen. This will place quite a strain on our already taxes industries and leave a gap of professional trades and jobs empty. Who will fill these roles?
-Wab Kinew, First Nations spokesperson
We Will.
A recent TD study shows the direct aboriginal contribution to Canada’s GDP is more than $32-billion. An insurgence of First Nations talent and skill has contributed to this great number. More and more reserves are becoming self governing.
Take in that number for a second. That's a lot of money.
Now imagine 13 times that number.
$415,000,000,000
In April I attended a conference in Toronto put on by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business. It was a very rewarding experience and it was amazing to see so many First Nations people in one room. Guest speakers included the Right Honorable Paul Martin & Roberta Jamieson to name a few. The panel was given questions about the GDP and in that conversation, the call for action was made, at least to me. If Aboriginal youth procure post-secondary education and gain great careers (and we are certainly on the right path to do so) we can realize that astronomical number by the year 2025.
Nothing in that conference more resonated with me than that. It then hit me that if we can do this, it will practically eliminate the aging population crisis.
More about the crisis here:
More about the crisis here:
We need to act. We, the First Nations youth, cannot sit and be silent anymore. We have a chance to change Canada forever. We must not let this moment slide, fearing it may be lost forever. It is in our hands to nuture or neglect.
That being said, we as First Nations people have always had rich culture and can be even more prominently showcased to Canada and the world, now that we have the federal government's support.
Let me share with you just a few stories of amazing First Nations people. And these are just a few. Imagine the hundreds, if not thousands, of other indigenous talents out there in Canada:
Métis artist excited selection committee recognizes 'that artists can be innovators.'
- CBC News
Canadian Forces Indigenous entry program grads enjoy taste of military life. 17 out of this year's 19 graduates say they intend to enlist.
- By Shaina Luck, CBC News
- By Shaina Luck, CBC News
Mi'kmaq artist Alan Syliboy aims to use art as vehicle for change. Alan Syliboy appointed as Coady Chair of Social Justice at St. Francis Xavier University - Oscar Baker III, CBC News
We have our own programming through APTN:
 |
| Laughing Drum is a comedic panel of First Nations addressing world problem with talk and certainly, humor. |
Elbowgate, crows and gorillas get their due on the final Laughing Drum of the season - May 31, 2016 by Michael Hutchinson
Even our own version of 'Sex in the City:'
There is certainly no shortage of talent and skill when talking about First Nations people. Now, more than even before, we as indigenous people can rescue Canada out of some of its hardest problems to date. How do we do that? Remember my title for this blog? Here are the 5 ways:
- Ensure that EVERY First Nations child has funding set in place to proceed to post-secondary. A good majority of these students are already funded through their band to cover tuition, books, supplies, and such therefore not hampering the Canadian economy. With more and more monies being invested into First Nations from the government,while First Nation communities are becoming self-governing, this point should be easier to do with more.
- Encourage the First Nation youth to go into trades. Certainly First Nations students can choose any stream they so desire. Canada is slowly losing tradespeople as they retire, which opens the doors for these youth to gain highly-sought career in these fields.
- Empower remote communities. The hardships of living on remote reserves does not bode well for Indigenous youth. With little to do or a way to prosper, many of these communities have very serious problems. With building some basic infrastructure coupled with remote sites for skill development and career building, more and more First Nation youth can realize their aspirations as reality, instead of just a dream.
- Action. Enough talk. The framework is laid out from Kindergarten right up to retirement on how First Nations can becoming the driving force to some of Canada's pressing issues. Indigenous people know this. Top CEO's and influencers know this. It is now time for Canada to open its doors wide open to employment in EVERY sector and industry in Canada. If we are to realize that GDP increase, it is up to businesses (both local and corporate) to start 'stepping up to the plate.' Hiring Indigenous people also helps diversify the workforce.
- First Nation youth need to do their part as well. Now more than ever before, these youth have the resources and funding to become integral parts of society and gain careers never before realized by First Nations. But ultimately it must come down to the action of our youth. If we choose to live like we have in the past, it is very unlikely that we will produce the numbers mentioned here. It's time, RIGHT NOW, for this demographic to go to action as well.
Some numbers suggest that the aging population will place an additional $70-$100B strain on our health care system. That doesn't even include nursing homes, travel, recreation and such. I think now you can start putting the pieces together to see that First Nations people can produce a win-win situation within the next decade. A win for these people landing the careers that we previously unattainable. A win for Canada with a dramatic increase in GDP.
So in closing, I firmly believe if we follow these steps outlined throughout this entire blog, Canada could certainly become one of the most diverse, desirable places to live on our planet. But the action needs to happen and happen now.
So if you are First Nations yourself, take in account what you have just read and realize there has never been a better time in our lives to take action, reconcile the mistakes of the past and act to make Canada as prosperous as it once was.
And if you are not a First Nations person, know that any help that you can give to First Nations youth can have a dramatic effect on his/her life. It can be doubly rewarding as you can learn about our culture and share yours as we try to make Canada all that it can be.
Finally, a thank you prayer in my Ojibwe language for reading this blog. It means a lot to me:
Gizhe Manidoo
(Creator)
I’iw nama’ewinan, maaba asemaa, miinwaa n’ode’winaanin gda-bagidinimaagom.
(We offer our prayers, tobacco and our hearts.)
Miigwech gda-igom n’mishomissinaanig miinwa n’ookomisinaanig jiinaago gaa-iyaajig, noongom e-iyaajig miinwaa waabang ge-iyaajig.
(Thank you for the Grandfathers and Grandmothers of yesterday, today and tomorrow.)
Miigwech manidoog iyaajig noodinong, iyaajig nibiing, iyaajig shkodeng miinwa iyaajig akiing.
(Thank you spirits of the winds, water, fire and earth.)
Miigwech manidoog iyaajig giiwedinong, waabanong, zhaawanong miinwa epangishimok.
(Thank you spirits of the north, east, south and west.)
Daga bi-wiidokawishinaang wii mino bimaadiziyaang.
(Please help us all to live a good life.)
Ahow!
by Helen Roy Fuhst
No comments:
Post a Comment