1. Yesterday, I had an experience online, that left me feeling very small.
September 30th, was the very first #NationalDayforTruthandReconciliation, and I'm pretty sure the overwhelming majority of us can agree that #CdnMediaFailed us by playing "Where's Waldo-Trudo?".
September 30th, was the very first #NationalDayforTruthandReconciliation, and I'm pretty sure the overwhelming majority of us can agree that #CdnMediaFailed us by playing "Where's Waldo-Trudo?".
2. And IMHO, this unfortunate taking away of the platform from the Indigenous community was made possible, in part surprising less meticulous than usual standard planning, communications, and expectations management by the PMO.
3. As a Canadian who wants things to get better, I was upset at the sloppiness as it left an opening for #CdnMedia to be as lazy as it could possibly be, and not make an effort to promote Indigenous voices on the day.
4. The fact that #CdnMedia didn't even try, makes me wonder if systemic racism is so embedded within it, that it is ashamed of its inability to effectively promote Indigenous voices...
It's almost like media had no intention of promoting them and looked for an alternative story.
It's almost like media had no intention of promoting them and looked for an alternative story.
5. And, unfortunately, because the PMO did not do the necessary preparatory work to communicate to Canadians -- in a manner such that it would render the information basic public knowledge -- that which the Prime Minister was going to do on the day and why.
6. So, yesterday, as a concerned Canadian who is 100% on board with doing right by Indigenous Canadians, and doing it as fast as humanly possible, I came online to criticize my government and to say #IDemandBetter
7. Doing that, earned me several rebukes from one Indigenous person, who kept on accusing me all day, of making #TruthAndReconciliation about both myself and Trudeau.
8. These rebukes had the impact of the gut punch, diminished me, and sent me to a dark place, in which I had vowed to never speak again of Indigenous issues; to just completely check out of the conversation, forevermore.
9. Now, while I understand fully, and don't need it explainef to me, that #TruthandReconciliationDay is not about my story; not about me; surely the movement towards #TruthAndReconciliation is, at least a little, about me, as each and every single one of us has a part to play.
10. If settlers simply standing up to be counted/saying: "I'm on board! Tell me how I can help!", and telling their Government: "Hey! Smarten up!" get smacked down and told: "It's not about YOU!!!", I'm not sure how we go from just listening to action.
#CdnPoli
#CdnPoli
11. Caveat: I'll be above is written with the very sharp awareness that while my knowledge is limited, my heart is open, pure, and full of light, and my intentions are noble.
12. So, with that said, if there is an Indigenous person reading this and beside themselves, please, gently, tell me what it is about my thinking that requires an adjustment.
Sitting in the dark, being told that everything I do is wrong, but no more, has very little value.
Sitting in the dark, being told that everything I do is wrong, but no more, has very little value.
13. In case anyone is interested, a very kind person proactively provided guidance, and agreed to a collaboration, last July.
This was the result:
ko-fi.com/post/Indigenou…
This was the result:
ko-fi.com/post/Indigenou…
15. I offer these as something which may be helpful, with no other motive...
Until we chat again, be kind to, and gentle with, yourselves... and each other.
These are tough times.
Until we chat again, be kind to, and gentle with, yourselves... and each other.
These are tough times.
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