CONTENT WARNING: THIS ARTICLE DISCUSSES THE HISTORICAL AND ONGOING IMPACTS AND HARSH REALITIES OF COLONIZATION ON INDIGEOUS PEOPLES. THE FOLLOWING CONTENT MAY BE DISTRESSING FOR SOME READERS. READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
Ally, allyship, allies. What does it mean when we are asked to be an ‘ally’? Words found synonymous with ally are terms like supporters, confidants, colleagues, sympathizers, partners, collaborators, and helpers, to name a few. When we contemplate these words, it becomes quite evident why many may deem themselves an ally when it comes to understanding the complex issues of colonization and the historical impacts that it has had on Indigenous people.
According to, “Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future: Summary of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada “For over a century, the central goals of Canada’s Aboriginal policy were to eliminate Aboriginal governments; ignore Aboriginal rights; terminate the Treaties; and, through a process of assimilation, cause Aboriginal peoples to cease to exist as distinct legal, social, cultural, religious, and racial entities in Canada. The establishment and operation of residential schools were a central element of this policy, which can best be described as “cultural genocide.” States that engage in cultural genocide set out to destroy the political and social institutions of the targeted group. Land is seized, and populations are forcibly transferred, and their movement is restricted. Languages are banned. Spiritual leaders are persecuted, spiritual practices are forbidden, and objects of spiritual value are confiscated and destroyed. And, most significantly to the issue at hand, families are disrupted to prevent the transmission of cultural values and identity from one generation to the next. In its dealing with Aboriginal people, Canada did all these things.”
Let me reframe this and ask . . . how many of you had a parent go to residential school? Or both parents? How many of you have experienced childhood abandonment and neglect? How many of you have been sexually abused as a child by multiple family members? How many of you have had one of your own children sexually abused by a family member? How many of you have had a stepchild take their life at the tender age of 13? How many of you are vulnerable to being missing or murdered based on your skin color and identity? How many of you have been homeless? Homeless with children? How many have you had to flee from a domestic violent partner? How many of you have witnessed domestic violence in the home? How many of you have battled addictions and have family members who continue to battle? How many of you have lost a family member or members to the opioid crisis?
These are dark truths of my life story as an Indigenous woman. And sadly, every single Indigenous woman and man I have known in my life, have also endured these things, and in some cases even more.
The effects of historical trauma since colonization continues to ripple through generation after generation of Indigenous people. We have been left to die on our own homelands, in a wasteland of land that is no longer ours with diminished rights as Indigenous people and limited funding and resources to adequately house and feed our people. In addition to these atrocities, we are subjugated daily to the injustices of systemic violence and interpersonal oppression, discrimination, and racism.
When we consider the historical acts of genocide that rip into Indigenous lives today, we need to incumber actions that include ‘justice’ and ‘equity’ when considering allyship.
Becoming an ally is not merely being kind, respectful, considerate, and empathetic. Although these are critical attributes to foster being and ally, allies need to be justice doers. Individuals who are courageous enough to stand with others in the fight against policies and practices that oppress Indigenous people by upholding systemic colonized barriers that have existed since the beginning of contact and more importantly the Indian Act.
This is a shared history and therefore a shared responsibility to act with valiance in shifting our future for not only Indigenous people but our society as whole. As Chief Seattle says, “Man does not weave this web of life. He is merely a strand of it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.”
We can begin by first learning the history of Indigenous people from precontact to present day. We can educate ourselves on the Indian Act and how the Department of Indian Affairs dismantled Indigenous existence. We can allow ourselves to be witnesses to the suffering of Indigenous people by listening to the testimonies and stories of victims. We can begin to question our own beliefs and values and re-evaluate biases and judgements we may hold.
As we begin to understand the systemic roots of continued oppressive systems, examining current policies and procedures is critical in transforming equitable outcomes for Indigenous people. We need to ask ourselves what needs to be pulled apart and reformed to ensure the safety, rights, inclusivity, and voices of Indigenous people are upheld. How can we ensure Indigenous people feel supported and authentic in their everyday existence knowing their given history? How do we foster equity rather than equality in our work environments and community?
As we seek answers together, hearing the voices of Indigenous people will be vital in ensuring the work is meaningful. Our Indigenous perspectives and experiences need to be heard, understood, and validated. Space not only needs to be upheld spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally, but it needs to be cultivated and prioritized.
“Reconciliation not only requires apologies, reparation, the relearning of Canada’s national history and public commemoration, but also needs real social political, and economic change.” ~ Final Report of the Truth Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
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