Originally written in 2016

Currently, we are seeing the racism that is embedded in the entire fabric of Canada's National identity come forward. And it's fitting that it's bubbling up and spilling over during Canada 150.

Right now one of the main issues at hand is cultural appropriation.

Many people may not think cultural appropriation is an issue. This is mainly because they don't understand why they aren't allowed to take and use aspects of other cultures at their own will. They don't understand how, when pieces of a culture are taken without consent and used without abiding by cultural protocols ascribed by the cultural group who has used them for thousands of years, it is harmful to groups of people who have been colonized. They don't understand why it isn't a cultural loss for them when we attempt to set clear boundaries between appreciation and appropriation. And when they hear of racialized groups reclaiming what has been taken, they claim that they are losing their freedom of expression and speech because they feel like we are taking something from them. When really what we are doing is taking it BACK.

In the case of Amanda PL, there has been an increased amount of racism and violence aimed at Indigenous people who have spoken against her blatant plagiarism and appropriation of Norval Morrisseau's work. We live in a time & place when resisting white supremacy is considered mob mentality. Racialized people are being villainized for protecting our rights. But white people who threaten our sovereignty & cultural resiliency are fiercely defended by the status quo.

It has been a distressing experience mainly because mainstream media doesn't back us up. This is being exhibited by a group of white main-stream writers/editors who began a fundraiser on twitter for an "Appropriation Prize" which was initially conceptualized by Hal Niedzviecki in Write Magazine's Indigenous issue. This article focussed on the idea that white writers should gain recognition and awards for appropriating from other cultures in order to make Can Lit "less white". Meanwhile the truth is that it will be less white if more POC & Indigenous writers are published. Instead, white fragility is continuing to erase voices and experiences in favour of maintaining a system that has always sought to erase and replace.

Our communities are filled with brilliant writers, artists, helpers, story tellers, musicians, filmmakers, activists, caregivers. We can tell our own stories. We always have and we always will. But these stories can be amplified and told in partnership with other Canadian stories that support a narrative of Truth and Reconciliation. This is exhibited through the Call to Action #83 Simcoe County art project, a collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists wherein truths are being told in tandem with one another, without imagery, stories and experiences being appropriated or stolen. The importance of this collaboration lies in respectful unity with our allies. It is possible for all of us to stand together to educate, decolonize and open dialogue to help bridge cultures in order to move forward to heal the harm that has been done through colonization.

Chi miigwech.

Written in 2016 by
Ogimaa Kwebnes,
Chief Lady Bird
Nancy King — Artist
Toronto, ON
nancy_king_93@hotmail.com