The fluency of reconciliation has failed Canadians and more importantly, it has failed Indian Residential School survivors, their families, and their communities.
Sep 28, 2023Liked by Ryan McMahon, Madeline Wilson Shaw
This is the best piece of work you've done here! It stirred up so many thoughts that i need to ponder as they settle down before I say more....
In fact, I have already said much the same as you do, when JoDe Goudy, Steve Newcomb, and I did the Redthought.org presentation about the Pope's 'Penitential Visit' {see links below}. We quoted Bruce McIvor's book, "Standoff: Why Reconciliation Fails Indigenous People and How to Fix It". He says:
Bruce McIvor - "Reconciliation as a Massive Failure":
“The lie is that through simply showing up and planting a flag, European nations could acquire an interest in Indigenous land and displace Indigenous laws.”
“Around the world, this racist legal principle is recognized as the Doctrine of Discovery. It was developed by the United States Supreme Court in the 1830s. In the Supreme Court of Canada's 1990 Sparrow deception... it was welcomed as a central principle of Canadian law.”
Standoff: Why Reconciliation Fails Indigenous People and How to Fix It (pages 168-170)
AND:
“Every time Canadians read in the news about ‘reconciliation’ they are entering a national conversation based on the racist and dehumanizing Doctrine of Discovery.”
“The duty to consult is based on Canadian governments’ claim to the underlying title to Indigenous lands. Every time governments across the country engage in consultation with First Nations they invoke the Doctrine of Discovery.”
"Residential schools and reconciliation: a Canada day proposal" (pages 15–19)
Oct 2, 2023·edited Oct 2, 2023Liked by Ryan McMahon
Excellent words Ryan! For centuries the issue has been, at its source, greed. Until we decolonize we won't be able to truly address that. Reconciliation is the frosting; the cake is not yet baked. The Two Row wampum treaty is still in effect and the settlers can't have it all.
I'm very aware of how inaccurate everyone's education is about indigenous peoples, not only today but from the beginning. Many statements in the Jesuit Relations as well as government documents from the 1600s display shocking ignorance. Historians, archaeologists, anthropologists... from the time of Floyd Redcrow Westerman's 'Here Come The Anthros' we've all known how faulty the image has been displayed for centuries, in virtually every field of study. Still, some of us worked hand in hand from the beginning, with respect and admiration, and so we can today, if we begin to dismantle the network that has entrapped us all.
I've become convinced that, without an accurate reading of who the indigenous were and are, true reconciliation can't happen. The truth must be spoken. Indigenous men and women have to regain the agency, the responsibilities that come with it, and the respect we once lived with. Breaking the back of colonization is a perfect first step.
This is the best piece of work you've done here! It stirred up so many thoughts that i need to ponder as they settle down before I say more....
In fact, I have already said much the same as you do, when JoDe Goudy, Steve Newcomb, and I did the Redthought.org presentation about the Pope's 'Penitential Visit' {see links below}. We quoted Bruce McIvor's book, "Standoff: Why Reconciliation Fails Indigenous People and How to Fix It". He says:
Bruce McIvor - "Reconciliation as a Massive Failure":
“The lie is that through simply showing up and planting a flag, European nations could acquire an interest in Indigenous land and displace Indigenous laws.”
“Around the world, this racist legal principle is recognized as the Doctrine of Discovery. It was developed by the United States Supreme Court in the 1830s. In the Supreme Court of Canada's 1990 Sparrow deception... it was welcomed as a central principle of Canadian law.”
Standoff: Why Reconciliation Fails Indigenous People and How to Fix It (pages 168-170)
AND:
“Every time Canadians read in the news about ‘reconciliation’ they are entering a national conversation based on the racist and dehumanizing Doctrine of Discovery.”
“The duty to consult is based on Canadian governments’ claim to the underlying title to Indigenous lands. Every time governments across the country engage in consultation with First Nations they invoke the Doctrine of Discovery.”
"Residential schools and reconciliation: a Canada day proposal" (pages 15–19)
Links:
Redthought.org - https://www.redthought.org
Video of presentation — https://vimeo.com/785862001
I agree with Peter. Best piece yet! And yeah, I agree that decolonization is more important than reconciliation.
https://youtu.be/UTduy7Qkvk8
Excellent words Ryan! For centuries the issue has been, at its source, greed. Until we decolonize we won't be able to truly address that. Reconciliation is the frosting; the cake is not yet baked. The Two Row wampum treaty is still in effect and the settlers can't have it all.
I'm very aware of how inaccurate everyone's education is about indigenous peoples, not only today but from the beginning. Many statements in the Jesuit Relations as well as government documents from the 1600s display shocking ignorance. Historians, archaeologists, anthropologists... from the time of Floyd Redcrow Westerman's 'Here Come The Anthros' we've all known how faulty the image has been displayed for centuries, in virtually every field of study. Still, some of us worked hand in hand from the beginning, with respect and admiration, and so we can today, if we begin to dismantle the network that has entrapped us all.
I've become convinced that, without an accurate reading of who the indigenous were and are, true reconciliation can't happen. The truth must be spoken. Indigenous men and women have to regain the agency, the responsibilities that come with it, and the respect we once lived with. Breaking the back of colonization is a perfect first step.