iFrame
The relationships that have formed over the past few centuries between settlers and Indigenous peoples have been to the benefit to the former and oppressive to the latter. Indigenous communities have been intentionally torn apart and the scars remain to this very day. I believe that it is our responsibility as guests on this land to support Indigenous communities with the challenges they face as we live within a system that perpetuate the oppressive system. Yet how do we do so when there are so many challenges being dealt with and there is never one sole solution? The question that I pose is the following: What are the principles that non-Indigenous communities should consider when engaging with the challenges of Indigenous peoples? Through an investigation of several documents, I hope to further understand common narratives and patterns of engagement for non-Indigenous peoples from the perspective of Indigenous communities and individuals. I hope to not only learn these principles but also to embody them throughout my own life.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission derives from the stories of Indigenous peoples who have survived the hardships of the residential school system. This is the first document I have looked at and will further investigate as there are core principles that derive from piece. Some of the principles include having everyone included within the participation and responsibility of these Indigenous issues within all levels of society. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission also brings forth the principle of recognition of the past that must be made public and a continuous education and dialogue on these issues. This document provides great insight as to the value of Indigenous communities and an understanding of the hopes that Indigenous communities strive towards. It is a public document that can help others engage in the work that is being done and can be analyzed further for principles of engagement in others challenges that are not specific to the residential schools. This is also a great source to investigate because it includes the voices of Indigenous peoples through the stories they share. They are talking about their own realities of the past and through these we can understand the truths of the injustices that happens and learn about principles to better engage in the future.
The second document that will be beneficial in investigating is Linda Tuhiwai Smith’s book “Decolonizing Methodologies”. Part of her book investigates colonialism and the harm that research has on Indigenous peoples from the vantage point of the colonized. She speaks also to the idea that research objectifies a certain people and thus invalidates their existence. When the process whereby an individual loses their perception of being human occurs, then the rights of these peoples are easily taken from them. This is a terrible fault that colonizers have imposed onto Indigenous communities throughout the past decade. It is important to acknowledge and learn from these to better the paths that we collectively take moving forward.
The third piece that will help to answer the question of the principles of engaging with the challenges of Indigenous peoples by non-Indigenous communities is Rauna Kuokkanen’s “Resharing the university: Responsibility, Indigenous Epistemes, and the logic of gifts”. The author discusses and critics the ways of thinking that is perpetuated within higher educational institutions and how these systems are oppressive to Indigenous communities. In addition, Kuokkanen speaks to the mindset that is created when an individual enters into and engaged within the university. This is important to investigate for my research question as I will gain a deeper understanding within an academic setting on ways to properly engage with these issues. For example, Kuokkanen speaks how a student can complete their entire school education yet not know what has happened regarding the issues of the past for these communities. This relates to the Truth and Reconciliation’s principle of having all members of society engaging in the issues at hand.
Finally, Statement of Apology – to former students of Indian Residential schools which was delivered by Steven Harper, is the last document to be analyzed. The analysis of this piece provides a political, top down and non-Indigenous perspective of the actions taken to better relationships moving forward. Analyzing this formal apology is important because it will allow us to see which principles have been followed through with and perhaps identify other ones that are missing. For example, the apology publically acknowledges that Canada viewed Indigenous peoples of Canada to be inferior and unequal to everyone else and how this way of thinking was wrong. Although some Indigenous communities press for more from the apology, many peoples are thankful for this apology. It also wishes to educate all Canadians on the Indian Residential school system, which follows the principles of having people from all levels of society working towards a community that has lost so much over the years.
As I continue my research, I would like to look at more articles not only from Indigenous perspectives, but also non-Indigenous peoples to understand their perspective and beliefs on the principles in engaging with the challenges that Indigenous peoples face. Although I believe that the principles must be voiced primarily from Indigenous peoples as they are the ones oppressed by colonialism, we must take on both perspectives as it is both sides who will be continuing to engage as time passes.