Father, artist, advocate for truth. Impact Chair-Uvic. My parents gave me a social conscience, my wife taught me to act on it. Kwagiulth/Salish/Settler.
Sep 30, 2022 • 7 tweets • 2 min read
When speaking publicly about Truth and Reconciliation
I am often asked “Can you suggest one thing I can do for Reconciliation?” I never have a ready answer for this, so on this #NationalDayForTruthAndReconciliation, here is a list of simple things you can do: a thread…
…reconciliation doesn’t work that way…
Jun 17, 2020 • 10 tweets • 3 min read
1. Last night, during a conversation about #racism my wife explained something to me that transformed the way I think about an incident that created tension between us.
A thread on #SystemicRacism.
2. Earlier this year, we were walking through Whistler with our daughter when my attention was drawn to a situation between a man and woman ahead of us. She was obviously intoxicated and upon examination, I could see that he was gripping arm tightly... pulling/dragging her along.
Mar 18, 2020 • 10 tweets • 2 min read
1. With wide spread global isolation measures and reduction in human activity, nature has responded with noticeable changes. Satellite images of China reveal a massive reduction in air pollution from factory closures that one scientist believes will save up to 77,000 lives.
2. The waters in the canals of Venice run clear and wildlife is returning to places it hasn't been in decades.
This has led to talk about humans being a virus to the planet with COVID-19 as the vaccine. There are others who say that it is capitalism that's the virus.
Feb 25, 2020 • 9 tweets • 2 min read
1. Worn down by the grind of educating people about the who, what, why, where, and when of Indigenous resistance, governance, and right to self determination. Worn down by the way that Canada picks and chooses which "rule of law" to enforce and which to ignore.
2.Worn down by pro pipeline conservatives, feigning concern for Indigenous voices (often for the first time ever) as they cherry pick dissenting opinions to amplify and weaponize, to silence the rest of us in pursuit of their anti Indigenous, environmentally destructive ideology.
Feb 18, 2020 • 11 tweets • 3 min read
1. "A Twitter Play in 9 Acts"
For those who can't figure out this the elected/hereditary #Wetsuweten issue:
Your rich neighbor wants to build a walking trail through your property, but they know you love your yard, so instead of asking you, they approach your basement tenants.
2. The tenants are on a fixed income and could really use a little extra money to feed their family, so for a small fee they consent. And why not? Don't they use the yard too? Besides, the tenancy act guarantees them some rights and protections so they grant their consent.
Mar 31, 2019 • 4 tweets • 1 min read
1). Indigenous languages aren't being "lost." It isn't like they have been misplaced or neglected. They have been intentionally targeted by genocidal colonial policies and structures. They have been systematically dismantled, stolen from our tongues.
2). Please stop saying "lost," they have been killed. It is disrespectful to the traumatic experience of those who have been targeted and it works to absolve or diminish the complicity of this country and all who continue to benefit from the erasure of Indigenous presence here.
Dec 31, 2018 • 10 tweets • 2 min read
When I speak publicly about Indigenous issues, or take Q&A's after a screening, talk, or exhibition, something that often arises is people disclosing their fear of making a mistake in their work as an ally, or a teacher responding to the TRC calls to action around education. 1
What it boils down to is that rather than risking a misstep and being called out or corrected, many would simply rather avoid the issue altogether. This thought process is problematic in a few ways, and in this thread I'll attempt to explain why, and offer some solutions. 2
