“Canada is Back!”

I’ve been thinking a lot about how one adapts to and accepts the worldview of others. CBU is trying it, with Indigenization. But Canada as a whole is also making the attempt, and what an attempt; the governemt is accepting 25,000 Syrian refugees by the spring of 2016. This is, of course, a decision that is not without its detractors. And truthfully, I’m not going to harp about the hypocrisy of those of European descent complaining about the arrival of newcomers on their ancestral lands; it’s all over the news, the internet, and being distributed through “Feed-us-first” posts and Islamophobic Facebook images (usually misspelled), and through often hilarious rebuttals through snarky memes.

While I was thinking about this question, this article came out:

The traditional reputation of Canada has been a welcoming, humanitarian one; we open our arms to newcomers, and we are the first to volunteer our peacekeeping and relief effort when there’s trouble abroad. So much so that regulatory changes under the previous government, the Conservatives under Harper, were met with cries that Canada had “lost its way”, abandoning its reputation in the international community.

The zeitgeist has changed with an open-armed policy from the Liberal government. A political cartoon declared “Canada is back!” And that this gesture, bringing Syrians (and Lebanese) from their bombed-out cities to safe, beautiful, secular Canada is a gift that must no longer be withheld.

But are we quite so sure that the gift of Canada is such a gift at all? We can handle the expense, and scores of Canadians have already shown a willingness to accept them into their homes, befitting this grand Canadian reputation for compassion.

But are we certain we can provide them safety?

We are about to welcome 25,000 Syrian refugees to a country where sexual violence against women is still alarmingly prevalent.. Have we imparted to these refugees what happened the last time Canada has tens of thousands of wards of the state? Do they know that over half of all women sexually abused in Canada are aboriginal, despite the much smaller percentage of the overall population they constitute, and that the vast majority of these assaults goes unreported to the police?

Sure, Trudeau is the very same PM that has pledged to solve the “Missing and Murdered Women” crisis… But in being so unequivocal, isn’t he just acknowledging how dangerous Canada is, while at the same time taking advantage of the climate? And let’s not forget that this is the same govenrment that at one time was suggesting that Syrian women come without any single men; this would mean that a big brother, an uncle, even a beloved son would no longer be there by their side.

Canadians are excited to introduce the refugees to Canadian values and a Canadian way of life. But are we certain that Canada’s values with respect to sexual violence – clearly evident from the statistics contained here  – are up to the standards of Syrian values?

5 Reasons to Indigenize

“Academic Indigenization refers to the transformation of academic programs with an aim of both re-centering Indigenous content, epistemology and pedagogy and through academic program decolonization.”

–University of Regina

Several Canadian Universities have begun to Indigenize their curriculum. In 2016, Lakehead University in Ontario is making it mandatory for all students to take one half credit course in Indigenous studies course prior to graduation. The University of Winnipeg is putting forth a similar requirement.

In an earlier blog post, Canada’s Cultural Genocide: Realizing and Spreading the Truth, I expressed concern over the fact that Indigenous culture, history and issues were never covered in any of my classes. Through taking this course, Indigenous Perspectives of Health and Healing, I finally learned an abundance of relevant information, and gained a deep respect for the resiliency, world views, and perspectives of Indigenous Canadians. I whole-heartedly believe other students need to take this course for many reasons:

1. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has called for action to “redress the legacy of residential schools and
   advance the process of Canadian reconciliation”

Over the past 60 years, residential schools robbed Indigenous Canadians of their traditions, language, connection to land, and identity. Attempts to assimilate left people isolated and broken, and set an inter-generational cycle of family abuse into motion. The TRC called for educational institutions to spread the truth about Indigenous Canadian issues. We are morally obligated to partake in the process of reconciliation. For more on this, read my previous blog post Canada’s Cultural Genocide: Realizing and Spreading the Truth.

2. Knowledge could help alleviate racism and stereotypes that oppress and demoralize Indigenous people

CBC recently closed comments on Indigenous stories because of racism, stating, “We’ve noticed over many months that [Indigenous] stories draw a disproportionate number of comments that cross the line and violate our guidelines.” Awareness of the hardships facing Indigenous Canadians might help change the way people perceive this population.

3. Public policy has the potential to improve Indigenous issues
   

Colonialism has brought on additional determinants of health, such as racism and loss of land, for Indigenous Canadians. Public policies can improve conditions. Making people aware of the context of Indigenous health could motivate them to lobby for the policies needed to improve conditions. For more information on Indigenous health, read my previous blog post Colonialism as a Determinant of Health.

4. Cultural competence is a necessary aspect of any professional identity

Merriam-Webster defines professionalism as “the skill, good judgment, and polite behavior that is expected from a person who is trained to do a job well.” Regardless of where one works, it is necessary to communicate respect for others. Through taking this class, I gained knowledge of Indigenous culture, and utmost respect for the resiliency of this population. I am confident that others would benefit from a similar experience.

5. Indigenous perspectives on community, environment and health are valuable
   

Community – Throughout the term, Indigenous guest speakers continuously portrayed the importance of community. Guest speaker Clark Paul said, “Think about us instead of me. How can I make my community better?” The Indigenous way of supporting one other is a desirable, admirable quality to aspire towards.

Environment – Connection to the land is a fundamental aspect of Indigenous identity. They strive to live in harmony with the Earth and all its entities. Indigenous perspectives on the environment offer . Learn more about Indigenous people and the environment at my earlier blog post “What we do onto her, we do onto ourselves.”

Health – Unlike the biomedical model, Indigenous perspectives of health are holistic. They take all aspects of the person (mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual), as well as the person’s environment into consideration.

The benefits of Indigenizing any setting- school or workplace- are numerous. Besides the fact that the TRC is calling for such moral actions, it could help diminish racism, positively impact public policy, create culturally competent professionals, and put a positive spin on ways we think about community, environment, and health.

Racist Growing Pains

I’ve been thinking about what it is to oppose inequality and prejudice.

It’s easy to state one’s commitment to equality, justice, and anti-racism; as easy as stating anything. One can easily take to Facebook or Twitter or Tumblr and proclaim their allegiance to social justice, and receive affirmation from a legion of like-minded anti-racists, feminists, and warriors for the cause. This online culture of justice provides an anonymous (and sometimes quite rabid) dialogue that anyone, of any background and any privilege can join. This certainly makes it more accessible to “care about the issues”. But where the rubber meets the road is being in contact with someone else; someone else with whom a general agreement on the subject of, say, racism, is not enough.

The challenge manifests itself for me at different times. Recently, someone recounted the tale of meeting an Aboriginal community organizer who would “not shake a white person’s hand.” It is a small matter in the grand scheme of things; one handshake in the vast spectrum of making the world a better place, and it didn’t even happen to me. Nonetheless, it feels like a “tough nut” that it is my intellectual obligation to crack. It’s been on my mind a lot as a kind of watermark for myself, and just how well I’m getting on with this adaptation.

I confess the story at first gave me a knee-jerk reaction of feeling offended, and even deeply unnerved. It feels, at first, like there’s nothing more to this sentiment than just blatant racism; a ghastly, almost cartoonish racism, in which one party refuses to physically touch another of a different ethnic background.

Obviously, there was far more to the situation; I’m told the shake-refuser was very polite and friendly and in all other ways entirely gregarious with the shake-refusee. The stipulation came from the uncomfortable history of Aboriginal-Settler handshakes, and the terrible legacy they leave behind. Gradually, I’ve gotten more and more accustomed to it. I can understand why the shake-refuser would present this seemingly inflammatory behaviour to another person.

Do I think that it is unreasonable or racist to reject the shake-refuser’s point of view? No. But it belongs in the discussion nonetheless.

And let’s put the cards on the table. I certainly consider myself “anti-racist”.

But I’m also racist.

I’m racist because, sooner or later, either due to ignorance or a momentary lapse of reason, going to say, or do, something that is racist. I’m going to omit something important. I’m going to forget someone vital. I’m going to speak when I should listen. I’m going to manifest my privilege, accidentally and otherwise, in a myriad of different ways for as long as I am on this earth. I may not even notice my racism, and if I do, I will feel remorse for it.

I am okay with this idea, because making (minor, relatively well intentioned) racist mistakes is the way I’ve made progress. Understanding that racism is both inexcusable and inevitable has been a formative centerpiece in my intellectual life.

With regard to the shake-refusal, there’s a teachable for me – I don’t know about you.

The important part is not whether or not the guy was rude, or out of line. Rather, the important part is simple, and overshadows any other consideration; if you want to know something about the effects of racism, you just have to examine how strongly someone feels about it. Strong enough, in this case, not to want to “shake hands with the Devil.”

 

 

 

“What we do onto her, we do onto ourselves.”

We are all physically connected to the land. The Earth provides the materials from which living things are composed. It provides the air that we breathe, the food that we eat, and the water that we drink. It provides materials for shelter, and fire for heat. Though technology has disconnected many of us from the basic tasks of survival, such as farming, fishing and foraging, the Earth still provides all materials for life….

LIFE IS, AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN, SUSTAINED BY THE EARTH.

For Indigenous people, connection to the land is more than just physical. It is also spiritual, emotional, and mental. Before settlers arrived in North America, all Indigenous people lived entirely off the land. They fished, hunted, and gathered; they derived all their necessities from the Earth. Stephen Augustine, Hereditary Chief of the Mi’kmaq Grand Council and guest speaker in our class, explained how Indigenous people believed they were owned by the land, and not the other way around. They took only what they needed. They didn’t stock-pile furs or food; there was no need to because “the forest was their reservoir”. Still today, Indigenous people hold a deep respect for Mother Earth, and many communities still maintain a sustenance lifestyle.  Connection to the land is a core aspect of Indigenous identity and well-being.

Last month, the co-creator of Two-Eyed Seeing, Albert Marshall, visited our class. In reference to the Earth, he said, “What we do onto her, we do onto ourselves.” This short statement has profound meaning. Earth, as resilient as it is, has limits; destruction is occurring at a rate that is much faster than repair. When the condition of the Earth deteriorates, so too does the condition of the life it sustains.

Climate Change

While humans are busy consuming needlessly, disposing of excessive wastes, and burning fossil fuels, greenhouse gases are accumulating in the atmosphere, trapping ultraviolet rays, increasing temperatures and changing climates. Effects are already evident. Dr. Cunsolo Willox et al. published an article detailing the impacts of global warming on an Indigenous community in Nunatsiavut, Canada.

“…People are increasingly exposed to changes in weather patterns, wildlife and vegetation, and water and food quality, access and availability in their local regions. These changes can impact human health and well-being in a variety of ways: increased risk of foodborne and waterborne diseases; increased frequency and distribution of vector-borne disease; increased mortality and injury due to extreme weather events and heat waves; increased respiratory and cardiovascular disease due to changes in air quality and increased allergens in the air…”

-Cunsolo Willox et al., 2012

In addition to physical impacts, the intense connection between Indigenous people and the land makes them particularly susceptible to solastalgia – “the pain, distress, and sadness that emerges when a place to which individuals and groups are deeply and intimately attached changes in a manner that disrupts opportunities for place-based solace, comfort, and familiar activities (Cunsolo Willox et al., 2012).”

Environmental stewardship is an important aspect of my own identity. Indigenous guest speakers’ thoughts and feelings about environmental relations were powerful, wise, and admirable, and could offer valuable knowledge to anyone interested in environmental ethics.

“Embedded within the Aboriginal world view is the concept of collective responsibility for tending the land and using only that which is needed for sustenance. Important, as well, is the interconnectedness and interdependence of all life forms — humankind, flora and fauna, and all that exists on the Earth. The concept of sustainability is not new to Aboriginal people; they are very aware of the growing need for all humans to show greater respect for the environment — respect for Mother Earth — if we are to continue to coexist in this world.”

–Manitoba Education and Training, 2000, as cited by Manitoba Education

Colonialism as a Determinant of Health

“Reducing the [health] gap [between Indigenous Peoples and other Canadians] would require attention to income, education, social and physical environment, and housing and sanitary infrastructure, as well as the restoration of traditional lands, governance and culture.”

–The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada

A few weeks ago, I sat in class, heart-broken and sobbing uncontrollably as an Indigenous guest speaker talked about the day he took his 7-year-old son off life-support. As a parent, I can’t imagine how that felt, nor do I want to imagine it. Just a few weeks later, I listened as a young Indigenous girl talked about her sibling who had died of cancer. Yet again, in that same week, a CBU nursing grad talked to our class about an Indigenous child who recently died at a local emergency department. Within a matter of a few weeks, I listened to the tragic stories of 3 local Indigenous youth who lost their lives far too young. I began to wonder why this was so common. Why are Indigenous Canadians experiencing such health disparities? How is their health care different from others? How can Indigenous health care be improved?

According to King, Smith and Gracey, “The root causes of poor health—the social determinants of health—are generally to blame for the poor state of everyone’s health, but especially Indigenous health (King, Smith & Gracey, 2009).”

Before studying nursing, I was oblivious to the determinants of health. I thought lifestyle was a choice, and that people who made poor choices eventually became ill. Although I noticed a relationship between health and social conditions, I never payed attention to how one impacted the other. I still remember reading about the population health promotion model in my first nursing class. I was enlightened by the big picture of health. Social conditions are always present, and they play a significant role in peoples’ health and illness. They operate upstream of “good” or “bad” decisions that ultimately determine one’s well-being.

Indigenous people often experience poor health because they are negatively affected by the social determinants of health. However, I was surprised to find that in addition to the determinants experienced by the general population, they are subject to determinants brought on by colonialism. As Czyzewski points out, colonialism– “the control or governing influence of a nation over a dependent country, territory, or people; the system or policy by which a nation maintains or advocates such control or influence” – should not be viewed from a historical perspective; lingering colonial social conditions are still major players in Indigenous health today (2011). Racism, “loss of language and connection to the land, environmental deprivation, and spiritual, emotional, and mental disconnectedness” are all additional determinants impacting the health of Indigenous populations (Czyzewski, 2011). There is even evidence of racism within the health care system, which can have detrimental, and even deadly, impacts. Many Indigenous people delay seeking medical attention, or do not receive proper health care, because of racism. For more on this, listen to the First Nations, Second Class Health Care podcast.

Improving the health conditions of Indigenous peoples requires changes in public policy, and commitment from all parties involved:

“Reducing and possibly eliminating health disparities would require policy that addresses the structural causes of causes perpetuated by the general population and the government via transfers of power, and a sustained commitment to change from settlers, the various levels of government, and the Indigenous community.”

–Czyzewski, 2011

Indigenous Perspectives on Health and Healing

During my time in Indigenous Perspectives on Health and Healing I have learned so much about the culture of Indigenous people. It has been an experience that I am so happy that I have had the chance to be apart of, every week was something new and the guest speakers were amazing. They took the time to share many stories; you couldn’t help but just listen.

We had the chance to bring together a few Indigenous speakers and form a panel in which they discussed the many issues facing Indigenous people at Cape Breton University. We collaborated with the Nations to Nations Speaker Series, the panelist talked about the importance of Indigenizing CBU, why it should happen, and the barriers.

As a class we researched universities around Canada that have been “Indigenizing and Decolonizing” their universities. A point that really stood out to me from Vancouver Island University is that elders of the Indigenous community can be provided with the chance to become specialty faculty.

Vancouver Island University prides themselves in the fact that the elders provide many services at the university in such things as student support, classroom instruction, teaching traditional protocols and cross cultural sharing. This stood out to me because having many elders and other Indigenous persons come to our classroom to teach us really helped me to understand the issues. They teach in such a way that grabs your attention and brings you into the conversation.

For me as part of the nursing program at CBU I believe that a class like Indigenous Perspectives on Health and Healing should be a part of the required courses. It provided me with the chance to learn about the culture of Indigenous people and I believe that the care I provide my clients has and will continue to benefit from this. This course has provided me with a new mindset and one that is focused towards change and equality for all.

Much appreciation

My experience of the Indigenous Perspectives on Health and Healing course has been an amazing one that I am truly grateful for having. It is my opinion that everyone should have a course of this nature at some point in their educational careers. It has provided me with a new outlook on the meaning of cultural competence and the need to practice this premise; as well, it has provided me with a greater understanding of the meaning of holistic health. In addition to this it has given me a great opportunity to try and inspire change where it is needed.

This past week I was privileged enough to take part in the Nation2Nation Speaker Series held at Cape Breton University (CBU), based on Indigenizing the University. In collaboration with my fellow classmates we came up with the desire to make a change here at CBU and to put the knowledge, and inspiration we have gained over the semester to great use. As well in collaboration with our professor the amazing Ashlee Cunsolo Willox, we attained an inspiring panel of speakers comprised of Dean of Unama’ki College Stephen Augustine, Elder Albert Marshall, and Janice Basque. Together these three were able to provide great perspective on the need for change, the importance of Indigenizing the University, and as well some priorities in their opinions on how to make the change happen. We attracted a crowd of faculty, students, and community member alike. This event was a great success and I believe we all really made a push for transformation.

I am truly grateful having had the opportunity to influence change, and leave, hopefully, somewhat of a mark on this University that has been such a big part of my life over the past 6 years. It is my hope that someday it will become a requirement, much like other universities in Canada, to obtain an Indigenous peoples course in order to graduate. This is important in my outlook to do so to create a better well-rounded society that promotes acceptance, and provides people the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.

Making a Difference

Since I have been learning of the First Nations peoples and Indigenous culture I have taken it upon myself to share the knowledge I have gained with the people around me (not only my grandparents). My family are a big part of my life, and the fact that they, from my influence, have become inspired to learn more about the Indigenous people is amazing.

For example, my niece couldn’t wait to share the news with me that people came to her school and lit the “stage on fire”. She then, with the help of my sister, explained it was in fact “SAGE” not the stage that was lit on fire. People had come to her school to teach the students a little bit about Indigenous culture, and they performed a smudging ceremony in which they burned sage. The thing that I brought away from this was that there are efforts being made to introduce today’s children to the ways of life of Indigenous people, and their culture. My family have also taken it upon themselves to inform me of any news they hear of involving the First Nations people or their culture and I am grateful for that.

My sister recently shared an exciting article with me from CBC, “1st-ever First Nations student among 3 Rhodes scholars named at U of A” (CBC/Radio-Canada, 2015), displaying a young man by the name of Billy-Ray Belcourt. He is 21 years old and is from the reserve community of the Driftpile First Nation, north of Edmonton and is currently attending the University of Alberta. Belcourt is Canada’s first ever First Nations student to receive a Rhodes Scholarship to attend Oxford University in England. This is a very prestigious award, and an amazing accomplishment which he intends to take full advantage of.

Belcourt in my opinion is a very inspiring person and a great role model for the First Nations youth, as well as the youth of Canada in general to show what hard work and determination can get you.

It is my hope that people, like myself and Billy-Ray Belcourt, are out their advocating for and creating change. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not out there winning Rhodes Scholarships, but it is my belief that even me affecting my families views and helping them grow their knowledge surrounding Indigenous culture makes a difference. Who knows, maybe I’ve created a snowball effect, and the people I have helped change are out there doing the same. We have got to be the change we want to see in the world, and every little bit helps.

Saying Goodbye

As our Indigenous Health and Healing class comes to an end, I can honestly say it has been one of the most influential courses I have taken in four years of University. I also believe that learning the culture of our First Nations people is something every Canadian should know.

I would like to take a moment to congratulate our Instructor Ashlee Cunsolo Willox.The work you have put into this class, the guest speakers, the shared information, the desire to connect people to each other is more than a “teaching” job. Your disposition is inviting to all. I thank you.

One of our last assignments as a class was to hold a panel discussion surrounding the idea of “Indigenizing” Cape Breton University. Our panelists included, Dean Stephen Augustine, Janice Basque, and Elder Albert Marshall. Not only did these wonderful people agree to come, but, the discussion was open and honest, and lined with humor. What I took most from this talk was the generosity of the panelists to unite all people. To share in the knowledge, to make everyone feel included, and to talk frankly about changes that need to come to fruition in order to make Mi kmaq culture a main stream subject in all schools.

I am extremely proud to have been a small part of this class. Every one of my classmates was open and generous of spirit. Every guest speaker was outstanding in their talks to our class. I will miss this class, but, I will have taken away information, appreciation, and a genuine love of First Nations culture I will never forget.

Importance of Change

One thing that has been on my mind for the entire duration of the Indigenous Perspectives on Health and Healing course is, why has it taken this long for me to gain this information. I have learned more about Indigenous culture in the past 11 weeks than I have ever thought I would. These are things such as ceremonies and rituals, cultural norms, and aspects of history that until this point I was oblivious to. I will carry this information with me throughout the course of my life and my career, and I feel as if I am a better person and will be a better nurse for knowing it.

That being said, I think that information on the Indigenous people should be incorporated in all levels of schooling. This will hopefully enhance not only the respect, but perspectives on the First Nations peoples and their culture held by people who otherwise may not receive this information in the course of their lives and education.

Academic Indigenization is the idea of incorporation of Indigenous culture, ways of learning, and ways of knowing into the curriculum being taught at schools. This is a concept that has been becoming popular as of recently at universities across Canada. The University of Winnipeg recently announced on Nov. 20^th, 2015 that it will require all students starting the next school year to take an Indigenous studies course in order to graduate . As well, Lakehead University as of May 2014 has made it a requirement for all students, beginning the 2016/17 school year, to take a course teaching at least 50% Indigenous knowledge or aboriginal content. These are great examples of Universities who are making change for the better. It is my hope that soon enough, here at Cape Breton University, we will be seeing a change to incorporating Indigenous course requirements in the programs being offered.

However, even though this is an outstanding change, I feel that we should not limit this to just our universities. We should be incorporating this knowledge into all levels of education. Children are like sponges, absorbing all this information which provides them with a basis on how to live their lives. If we strive to include Indigenous culture into their learning we could be promoting cultural competence and acceptance at an early age and make them better individuals because of this. That being said, by the time they are adults with children of their own, they may have the means to teach them of the Indigenous population and their ways of life and learning which is so profound here in Canada.