Racial Equity: An Unfulfilled Vision

“The Time Traveller”, photography by Moses Latigo Odida

Written by Al Day

Canada’s foundation is built on the concept of racial superiority as espoused by each of the following: The writings of Aristotle, The Roman Empire Theory of Terra Nullius, The Papal Bulls of 1492 and The Doctrine of Discovery. 

The following speaks of the approach and attitude towards to the First Peoples of this land: 

“Our Indian legislation generally rests on the principle that the aboriginies are to be kept in a condition of tutelage and treated as wards or children of the state [...] It is clearly our wisdom and our duty, through education and other means, to prepare [them] for a higher civilization by encouraging [them] to assume the privileges and responsibilities of full citizenship.” (Government of Canada, 1876, p. xiv)

My personal experience with racial superiority starts in my formative years as a young boy. I did not understand why I was subjected to negative treatment at the hands of my father. This negative approach was a learned behaviour due to the fact of my father having survived seven years at residential school wherein he was dehumanized and subjected to all kinds of pain including seeing the death of one his residential school mates. During those early years, my peers and I denied our Indigeneity. Graduating to high school was the first time I was subjected to racism. This racism was unrelenting throughout my high school years. 

As I reflect upon my life to date, be it through classroom participation, to sports, to life and work experiences and including presentations, I recognize that my degree of acceptance was predicated upon my conformity to the ‘norm’. For over forty years, I have been involved in senior leadership positions representing my home community at many and various government tables in both the United States and Canada. Repeatedly, the wording used to explain a situation was; ‘we know what is wrong with you people; we have designed the solution; all you people have to do is implement our solution’.       

“The ghosts take the form of dishonored treaties, theft of Aboriginal lands, suppression of Aboriginal cultures, abduction of Aboriginal children, impoverishment and disempowerment of Aboriginal peoples.” (Government of Canada, 1996a, The Ghosts of History, para. 4)

Recently I have had the opportunity to interact with many people who represent a variety of interests and viewpoints in the City of London. A majority of these interactions have been positive. However, I have also had to deal with people who continue to challenge my ideas and thoughts. That, as an Indigenous Person, I have no standing to disagree with the mainstream thinking view of the world. 

The Indigenous worldview is simple; humans are part of Creation, we must be thankful for the many gifts that Mother Earth provides to all parts of Creation including all human beings. That we must honor and respect those around us, especially the Women of our Nations. 

Think of this as you ponder your relationship with the Indigenous Peoples: 

“If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is tied up with mine, then let us work together.” –  Lilla Watson, Aboriginal Australian Activist