Author: kwetoday

Canada & State of Emergency

#elxn41, Canada, Elections 41, First Nations, Liberals, Michael Ignatieff, Pikang Boil water advisory, Pikangikum, Shannen's dream, State of Emergency Leave a comment

Warning: This post might anger some.

Here are other posts that I previously written about State of Emergencies occurring in Canada at various times and in various regions:

Thanks to a friend on facebook, I came across this link: Pikangikum Declares a State of Emergency. This is due to drinking water. Water is being flown in. Can you believe that! In Canada, water is being flown to people, and pending weather conditions.

To me this is outrageous. It is even more outrageous that this type of thing has gone on for years. It is even more outrageous that it is rarely addressed in major news sources like Globe and Mail. I did a basic search from the main site google search with the key words “State of Emergency” (Simple enough, right?) and up came more than a 100 searches. Here is a screen shot of the first page only.

State of Emergency

I just have to say I am not impressed. I will tell you why I am not impressed. This past winter a state of emergency was called in Southwestern ON. They needed to rescue Canadians from a winter snow storm. Yup, rescue Canadians from a winter snow storm. A snow storm these people decided to drive in, or that they accidentally were caught in. One man died in this snow storm because he decided to abandon his car and walk in the snow storm. I don’t mean no disrespect to anyone, but really…Who drives in a snow storm? And even worse, who walks in the middle of nowhere in the snowstorm? THIS is Canada people, expect snow storms and expect to stay home because of the snow. What we shouldn’t expect is for hundreds of individuals living in Canada to go without drinking water during cold months, and for days or even weeks on end.

THAT is outrageous.

Yes, I warned you that this post might anger you…and if it has angered you because I just wrote that, then you are experiencing the anger I feel and countless other First Nations people feel across Canada because they live in “State of Emergency” almost everyday, for weeks, sometimes weeks on end (I have never experienced living in a State of Emergency, but I have met other First Nations people who have and have had friends who did live in these states… it’s not something that Canada should be proud of)

This makes me wonder where Canada’s priorities are especially after attending a Liberal party rally in London ON, where I asked Michael Ignatieff, the following question:

You mentioned internet access for all Canadians earlier, seeing that more than hundred First Nations in Canada still have water potability issues, why not drinking water for everyone?**

**You can read the full post with that question and my experiences at the rally by clicking on the full quote.

This is an important time for First Nations people to not only speak up and vote, but to also fight for change because of the current political happenings and the elections. I hope that First Nations people can fight for change beyond just voting, and make their voices heard in whichever way possible.

This is why I started this blog, and I hope others can make their voices heard in a similarly positive way.

I encourage everyone and anyone who feels that they have a cause to be listened to and heard of to speak up.

Like I said in another post, titled Election 41 or #elxn41, if you think you are just one in one million–that is a good thing, because that is a lot of chances for someone to be thinking the same thing you are. Just speak up, or ask someone to speak up for you! Trust me, you are not alone and someone will listen…

Just look at what this one girl did: Shannen’s dream. This is an amazing story, yet so sad that the girl’s life ended early… It is great to see that her fight for her community lives on–it is sad that her community had experienced this (both the school and the loss of a strong, young Aboriginal female).

But always remember people, this post and its information shared here are happening TODAY and in Canada… this isn’t 10, 20, 50, 100 years ago.

This is today, and it needs to change!

Election 41 or #elxn41

#elxn41, Canada, Chad Cowie, Elections 41, First Nations, Politics Leave a comment

I am writing this post after I seen something that someone re-tweeted on twitter. Yup, I am on twitter!.

The re-tweet went a little something like this:

Can anyone name something good/positive the government has ever done for Ab people in return for their home and Native land? Maybe I’m being unfair, but all I can think of is smallpox, residential schools, 60s scoop, housing crisis, disenfranchisement, genocide..

I must first say that some people are going to think I am a bit of a hypocrite when I write this post.

When other First Nations people say things like this, it makes me upset. I am not upset at the government, but rather upset at the people that say things like this. Yes, I know that not every Canadian knows about the “True Canadian History.” I say “True Canadian History” because not everyone knows about the Indian Act and its history, or why it was created, and the other institutions that were created to try to get rid of the “Indian in the Child.”

Yes, some of the problems (well majority of the problems) today can be traced back to these historical happenings. Am I a hypocrite for writing about intergenerational problems in previous posts? Unfortunately, that is just it, these are HISTORICAL Happenings.

It is great that we can acknowledge and know our own history, but what isn’t great is how some young First Nations people bring that up in almost every argument. If I can offer one piece of criticism: Stop. That argument has been over played and over used. Instead of bringing arguments like that of above up in your defense… Argue about what needs to be done TODAY! For instance, one can argue that “True Canadian History” needs to be apart of educational lessons so that others gain a better understanding of the problems that happen today (This sounds counter-intuitive to letting go of the past, yes it does. Someone once told me that it is not my duty to educate the rest of the world about what has happened, but it is my right to fight for change and fight for the future–that’s what I mean by suggesting this argument). One can also argue that First Nations need access to a basic human right: Clean, accessible, drinking water… and maybe even indoor plumbing. One can also argue that we need to hold our own leaders accountable for the decisions that they make for their own community.

These are just some items that can be fought for today. I am sure that there are much more to be fought for and they vary from each First Nation community.

Like I said earlier, I might be considered a hypocrite writing this. This will be my first time voting, and I am 24 years old. Since I was able to vote, I missed out on two elections (that I can remember). I missed out on one because I didn’t know that I had to register, and provide proof of address (I was not living at home, and I went to a the closest polling station near me… was told to back to my First Nation to vote because that’s where my identification address was). I missed out on another one because my address was NFA (yup, no fixed address–not the best way to live). I am pretty sure I may have missed another election because I didn’t care.

Now that I am back in school, and more aware of current situations (other than my own situation), I am excited about voting for the first time more than ever. I owe this especially to my friend Chad Cowie. I want to see change and I want to help others fight for that change (others being First Nations). I keep hearing about in this election, “Nobody is talking about First Nation issues…” or “Leaders need to address First Nations issues…”. Let me tell you, some leaders have been talking about or addressing First Nations issues–some more than others and some only addressing these issues at more convenient times (**Ahem** Example: the English debate… won’t mention any names..).

If you are 18 and voting and First Nations, voting is not the only option you have. If you want to see change you have to fight for change because there are certainly a lot more people out there that believe their own issues (which are not First Nations issues) are more important than First Nations people and their issues. In fact, a lot of people in this country probably believe that they know what is right and that their issues deserve more attention than First Nations issues. That’s reality and that’s the truth when it comes to fight for any right or issues, not just First Nations.

You have to fight for change. Write letters, form a group, create a website… Do anything to bring attention to your cause. You will probably think to yourself, “Well I am just one person out of like a million others…” I bet you are only one person in a million, but that’s a lot of chances for more than one person to have the probability to be thinking the same thing as you. I bet there are one in one hundred chances that someone is thinking the same thing as you are. I bet they are closer than you imagine. You can’t just say, “Great, I am going to vote, but then what.” What do you mean then what? Make sure you follow up, read the news, and like I said before: write letters, form groups…etc etc!

But please…don’t argue what the above individual did. Argue for what needs to be done TODAY and for the FUTURE!

If you really feel like you need to make noise like that above argument, there are ways that fighting for what needs to be done today and ways that you can squeeze in the above argument, but I will say something rather honest: Some Canadians are somewhat tired of hearing that argument, like that of above. Make your argument relevant to today. How does the past affect YOU? How did the past affect YOU? And most importantly, what are YOU going to do to help bring about change TODAY and into the FUTURE!

Ps, Don’t forget to vote 😉

Open letter… My response

Canada, Education, Elections 41, Politics, Youth Leave a comment

I am writing this post after reading An Open Letter to ALL federal candidates.

This is something I said before:

Don’t talk about us, talk TO us…

One might argue, “Well how do we talk to the youth in Canada?” Well, Canada you’ve created schools. Go to the schools.

One might then say, “Well, youth don’t care…” Yes we care. In fact, we probably care more than you think. We just think YOU don’t care.

One might then ask, as such a question was raised in this open letter, “How do we get youth engaged and interested in politics?”

This last question is a lot more difficult to answer, but I am going to say that youth just need to be encouraged. They need the space and they need the time. Getting youth engaged doesn’t just happen over night. We need to be given the freedom to do what we want, both creatively and intellectually (school doesn’t allow that much of the time). We need to be given the time to do this. School eats up most of our time, so perhaps the answer lies within the schools (Since the majority of young people in Canada can be find in schools for much of their life).

There is a common theme that lies in this answer and it is School.

Perhaps this is a systemic issue (Schools don’t allow youth to be creatively and intellectually challenged; provide for only certain or limited subjects and its content to be taught; eat up majority of a young person’s time and space)

I am not saying school should be abandoned or abolished, but perhaps something needs to change within the schools.

The problem isn’t that youth don’t care. Perhaps the problem is that school doesn’t allow the freedom for youth to show that we care.

So then how do we get youth to be interested and engaged politically? Well, Canada you created them: The Schools.

In the end, I wonder if any of the political candidates have made visits to any of the schools in Canada?

I’ve never been to Egypt but….

Aboriginal, Culture, Egypt, Pyramids, Traditions Leave a comment

I’ve never been to Egypt but apparently pyramids are built on the west side of the Nile River, which is where the sunsets (west side). This is also apparently, to the Egyptians, the side that signifies where life ends. I remember this from elementary school. The only reason I remember this because in the Native Culture, as I was raised, the western side of the earth indicates the “spirit world” where all the spirits go to rest after their life on earth has ended.

I was raised to pray towards the east, the sun rise, and not the west because that means you are praying to those spirits. I know these teachings and traditions differ amongst First Nations cultures/traditions because I was told by another person in Southwestern ON to pray to the west. I felt weird praying to the west (ultimately, I did pray after that person told me to pray, but I did not pray to the west…I prayed to the east, as I was taught/raised).

This is why I find my culture so confusing, yet so amazing.

How can two different cultures, from two different geographical regions have somewhat similar beliefs (That is that the west signifies the end of life or that the west is where spirits go after life on earth)?

I think that is neat…

Just because I am First Nations…

Aboriginal, corporate social responsibility, First Nations, Invisible glass ceiling, UWO Leave a comment

I am writing this post because of a few things I have experienced in my life… mainly to do with school and work.

I have had my fair share of interviews, since having my first job when I was 15 years old. Some of the jobs I didn’t even have to have an interview. Some of them, I just had to introduce myself, answer a few questions and then I was hired. If I can remember one interview, I wasn’t asked any particular question about my background or my ethnic origins. However on my first day of employment, I was called into the boss’s office and told to sit down. My heart was beating. I had no idea what I did. My boss proceeded to tell me how lucky she was to have me…I remember her specifically saying:

We are so lucky to have you on our team. As soon as we found out you were Aboriginal, we just had to hire you

Being the shy, quiet girl I used to be, I didn’t really say anything except giggle a little and say thanks. I wish I knew better. I should have spoken up. This was a government job and someone was saying that they hired me because I was Aboriginal (is how I took it after wards and how I still interpret it) is just…wrong. Some people say, that I should be happy and should just let it slide. Honestly, who says that in any type of professional position? That is all I want answered.

That was when I was 17 years old.

Today, I am attending The University of Western Ontario. A big university. A diverse university. I am constantly reminded that other people look at me as a “First Nations student” whenever they ask me what I am studying, and before I can even answer they butt in…

Are you studying First Nations?

Ummm no, and just because I am First Nations does not mean I am studying First Nations [in fact, I don’t think I should have to study First Nations in order to get a minor in it on my degree–I think growing up on a First Nation, up north, just outside a predominantly white small-sized city is good enough to know what the issues First Nations people face… Okay maybe that last statement is a bit ignorant..the issues that First Nations people face are complex and vary across the board–I think a First Nations introduction course should be required to attend this university and I only say this because we are surrounded by three First Nations that I know of… and with many more close by (give or take a few hours).] In fact that should be required for any university or college in Canada.

Another experience here on campus, I just recently had an interview for a position. I didn’t get the position (and I am not upset…I am most certain they have picked the most appropriate person for the position). However, yet again, I felt like as if here I was again in another sticky situation where someone suggested something to me… This person suggested that I apply for the First Nations position because they said:

I know you are very passionate in this area and I think it would be a great fit for you

After reading that, yes I was upset, and I am sure this person meant no harm in suggesting it (and perhaps maybe I might apply for this position.. maybe I might not.) However, I wanted to send an email back, but I didn’t as I knew what I wanted to say wouldn’t come out right. I took a few deep breathes. Closed the email and didn’t return to it until later (**Ahem** Later would be today).

I know someone might think that I am being a little to overly sensitive with these experiences but really, I feel like as if I was generalized, and that by through each of these experiences I feel like that there is this “Invisible glass ceiling” that I must break through if I want to get anywhere that goes beyond people looking at me as the “First Nation” employee or “First Nation” student.

I am proud of who I am and I know why those positions or opportunities are created (Classic case of Corporate Social Responsibility or giving proper representation to a certain marginalized group) But what if a First Nation’s person, whether employee or student, wants to go for something that is beyond the “First Nations” position or “First Nations” area of study or “First Nations” label… will that “Invisible Glass Ceiling” always exist?

Just because I am First Nations does not mean I want your First Nations position.

Something I wonder about…

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In the Native culture (the way I was raised anyways…because it is different across different nations), I was given Native names. Oddly, I have two. Yes, strange. I am not sure why or how come. I am pretty sure it was because of a life changing event.

However, I know where they come from and what they mean. The thing I sometimes wonder about is where did my “non-native” name come from? I mean, I am pretty sure my last name is French? Or seems like it. Me and my family are not French. So where did it come from?

I know my first name came after ten days of birth of being with out a name (yes, I didn’t have a name until ten days later). As for my middle name, I know where that came from… hands down.

But this is just something I wonder about. Who gave my family their last name and where does it come from?

Response to last post: Conversations (Aboriginals and Canada)

Aboriginal, Aboriginal youth Leave a comment

This post is a response to my last post. I am writing to say that I am neither anti-Canada nor am I racist. I can see that my last statement “you are to blame” could also cause anger within non-Aboriginals who do show compassion towards Aboriginals. It could also be a step backwards by that statement. I guess my real purpose of writing that last post is just to give a glimpse of everyday conversation that I encounter as an aboriginal living in Canadian society, and it makes me angry. It makes me wonder what other young Aboriginal people encounter.

I believe the issue facing young Aboriginals (not all but some), are anger issues. I have been told or taught that depression is unresolved anger. That some people who are caught in the grieving cycle get caught in between anger and guilt. I remember the research for one essay I was writing it was read that Aboriginals are at the end of the grieving cycle stage and heading into the recovery stage. I shook my head.

A lot of young aboriginals today are still angry. I can say this because I hear this being said “it makes me angry that people don’t know” almost every other week. Or this anger is visible when you see aboriginal youth in gangs, committing acts of violence, being arrested (Note: Not all aboriginal youth are doing this).

From my own example, after I first tried to commit suicide, I kept telling doctors that “I am angry.” Doctors said “Angry people don’t do what you did.” I was even more angry. I didn’t know what to do with this anger. I didn’t know how to handle it. Nobody told me, it is okay to be angry and it is okay to be upset but what matters is how you handle that anger.

I think that’s what’s wrong with Aboriginal people. They are not telling their young, what happened or is happening to them is not their fault. The abuse. Suicide of family or friends. The current condition of your community (no clean running water/high crime rates/etc). It is not young Aboriginal people’s fault. The healing of Aboriginal people must not forget about their young people.

Some of Aboriginal youth are angry and were angry and do not know how to handle this anger. Some don’t realize that what happened or is happening to them is not their fault. What they need to be told is, what you can change is the future. The future is in our hands. We are allowed to he angry and upset but what matters is how we handle or channel that strong emotions.

Young people must also hold their own leaders accountable. Chief and council not fulfilling their roles adequately? Tell them. Be involved. Educate them, because those leaders are sometimes so removed from their own community that they forget about their community and its needs. Those in power of our own communities need to be held accountable (it is not just about Canada versus Aboriginals; it is sometimes Aboriginals forgetting about Aboriginals and their communities themselves). Go out and pressure your leaders to follow through with their roles as a leader and pressure them to be effective leaders. Pressure them for change. Be pro-active not reactive.

I think what also needs to be shared with Aboriginal youth is that sometimes it is okay to be upset or angry with an elder in your community. (**GASP** Did I just say that?) Many people might be angry with me for saying that, but let me tell you…Not all Aboriginal elders are necessarily doing the “right thing” or doing “good things.” What if an elder does something wrong or doesn’t react the right way to a youth? Who is the youth going to be mad at? Themselves, probably because that elder is considered to be respectful and respected in the community by others. If the youth becomes angry with the elder, then the youth may be considered an outcast. Where does that leave the youth? No where, except with a whole lot of anger inside. This probably sounds confusing to someone outside reading this because it was confusing when I spoke about this to another student at school. He asked me what I meant by it’s okay to be anger. I continued on with explaining to him the grieving cycle, as it was explained to me.

I said to him that I don’t know the grieving cycle off by heart but I was told that sometimes some people get caught in the grieving cycle in between anger and guilt. They are angry for what happened to them. Then they feel guilty for feeling angry. Then they may feel angry for feeling guilty realizing that what happened to them is out of their control or angry that they didn’t handle the situation better. Then they feel guilty again… and so on and so on. This cycle, I was told, can go on for 7-9 years. This is what I believe is happening to our youth. The communities hold their leaders in high priority and their elders are treated with much respect. The communities are sometimes not in the best living conditions (whether in the private or public sphere). The youth are angry. That is what I believe.

Nobody listens to what youth say. They talk about them. They always say, “They are our future…” Yes, we know that. People have been saying that 5 years ago, 10 years ago, and even 15 years ago. I am almost 25 and people are still saying the same thing. I don’t consider myself old, but if I can say that 15 years ago, people are saying the same thing… then clearly nothing has changed.

Someone needs to tell Aboriginal youth: It is not your fault. It is okay to be angry. It is not your duty to educate non-Aboriginals. It is not your duty to defend an entire nation. What matters is how you handle situations that come across your path. It is okay to be angry and upset and frustrated… even if that means being upset at your leaders or your elders because they are not living up to what is expected of them. What matters is how you handle that anger and frustration. What matters is that you take your situation and you work hard to change it, even if someone says “No, you can never have that happen” or “No, nobody will ever listen to you”… It is okay to be angry. The most important thing that youth must learn that it is okay to be angry but what really matters is how you handle that anger.

That is all….

This post was in response to my last post titled Conversations: Aboriginals & Canada.