Means to learn

Not too long ago, I spoke at a community meeting about how public health services are not accessible to those who are poor, and even less accessible to Aboriginal people, specifically status Indians. There’s this ongoing myth that people living on reserves have more rights, but the truth is, we are still governed by the Indian Act, both on and off reserve.

When we’re off reserve, we are seen as less Indian and have fewer rights. We talk about self-determination, but that self-determination is often dictated by Canadian courts and the government. Our identity as a people is defined by the government, unlike other groups—Chinese are considered Chinese, Asians are seen as Asians, and French people are just that. But for us, our identity is tied to the Indian Act.

Even though we are granted some human rights, the reality is that we still don’t fully experience them. Any changes to the Indian Act have to go through the courts, and only a limited number of Aboriginal cases can be heard at a time. This means it could take many years to make any real, positive changes. We see this with ongoing fights for child protection rights led by Cindy Blackstock, Sharon McIvor’s struggle for Aboriginal women’s rights, and continuous issues surrounding harvesting rights and systemic racism in various forms, including in workplaces.

After I spoke, a white woman lawyer confronted me, questioning the facts I presented. I challenged her back, asking why she was questioning me when she had the means to educate herself. It felt oppressive for her to question an Aboriginal woman in that way. By the end of our conversation, she acknowledged the points I made but wanted to ensure I knew what I was talking about. I reminded her that she might know her own culture, which is German, but it’s important to understand and respect others as well.

The lesson here is clear: if you have the ability to read this message, you also have the means to do the research and educate yourself. It’s crucial to seek understanding and to listen to the voices of Indigenous people. We’re here, sharing our truth, and it’s up to everyone to learn and support one another in this journey.

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