My First Nations Opinion

People get their panties in a wad over my rage over things that come ever so easily for them. I get distressed over being accused, neglected, abused.

Living in society as a disabled First Nations woman isn't easy. Especially when you don't have a strong support system in place. But the second I let my guard down and share my thoughts and struggles, the trolls appear to do more damage to my already damaged soul as if I don't have their permission to exist. Newsflash: I'm no more excited than trolls over the fact that I exist. And while I have every right to blame my "parents", NOBODY has the right to trash me for something so far beyond my control. I was raised to believe if you don't have anything nice to say, you shouldn't say it at all.

Although I don't have to justify myself to anyone, I am not that stereotype society created of Aboriginal people. I do drink but not that often. I don't smoke at all. If I do drink, I still get up for meetings the next day. I am on ODSP. I don't receive benefits. I am getting my status card soon but I don't think I'll use it often. I don't want to hear the whispers.

I'm tired of the negativity towards Aboriginal people. We spend so much of our lives defending our rights, freedoms and whether anyone likes it or not, our land. Yes we are entitled to defend our rights. We have the same rights as the rest of you.

I'm also tired of the segregation. And how divided we are on whether to include non aboriginals in Native work places and vice versa. The anger I have is with those who say everyone is welcome then makes natives feel so unwelcome they leave. This results in alcohol use, suicide and criminal activity.
Why you feel the need to put us in such positions is far beyond my comprehension. So I have a question for you.
What did we do to deserve this treatment?? I realize the government's plan was to "kill the Indian in the child", but why? To me all that shows is that you think you're all better than us. Without giving us a chance. That's the way children behave.

I'm sorry you're upset over us raising our voices over issues that matter. Does this mean my people and I will stop? No. I have my rights the same as all of you. And if you were as focused on the issues we are discussing that impact you too as you are on trying to silence us and pretend these issues don't exist, we wouldn't be having this discussion!!

The treatment of Aboriginal people and even Black people is so important and there needs to be an open, honest discussion about working together to create inclusion instead of segregation/exclusion. If you disagree, don't be a part of the discussion. If you are going to be a problem, you have no right being part of the solution. God/Creator created us too. We deserve to do the same as you. We deserve all the things you deserve. And we don't deserve all the same things you don't deserve.

Earlier this week I issued a challenge to my followers to have a discussion about the struggles of First Nations people to hear directly from them their stories and opinions. I don't know if anyone has taken me up on my challenge but I am doing what I can despite the fact I believe the challenge should come from non natives so that Natives feel welcome and see that, hey there are people interested in the struggles my community has faced.

The other day I was on TTC wearing my Native Pride hat and because of my health, I tried to get a seat. I was pushed aside and fell and I heard someone say that because I'm native, I fell because I was intoxicated which was not true. Whenever I'm on the Bloor Danforth subway line platform, I take it upon myself to educate riders by walking on the yellow line. Why? Because I think people need a wake up/shake up. In the years I've done this experiment, I'd say in the past year, more people move back to give me space. I also put my hand out in front when exiting the train because people just trample, they don't care. They want to get home or to their destination. To hell with whomever stands in their way. Or my favorite? Crowding the doors. When I do it to show them what they are doing, if looks could kill, let's just say I'd be dead.

Why am I sharing these experiences? Because of the double standard effect. Why are these behaviors acceptable for all of you but god forbid a Native does it!! Although this comparison between Natives and society is so exhausting, its even more exhausting to live it daily for years and only a small portion of society is listening to us, supporting us and trying to learn more about our culture to help us. These people are not being bribed. They are just trying to do the right thing.

From recent headlines and history, its clear that the relationship between the government and First Nations is strained. Our issues only get mentioned once in awhile. No real action taken. There's no real "#winning". That's why we protest. Raise our voices. Take action. We don't sit around like some people believe we do.

On the other hand, the relationship between First Nations people, especially women, and the police could also use improvements. As someone who has been on both sides, as a person against and as a supporter, I've had many encounters with the police and until recently, it was all resolved and things were good. While I can't get into too much detail, what I can say is that I am not happy with the way they are doing their job. I've never been carded. I've never been in jail. I was telling someone the other day I think if a woman is in distress and cops are called, the cops responding should be female. It could be a different outcome than my situation. And using cuffs during a call to transfer someone to the hospital because she's distressed and suffering already is a bit over the top. I admit I went the discrimination route and took it to an unnecessary level, but what I endured should never have happened. I could have been seriously injured. Was it my fault I was suffering, in distress and traumatized thinking about triggers and had to be escorted by police to the hospital?? Did I deserve more punishment added to my years of trauma?? From my experience, it was hard to interact with cops after and it remains hard to this day. These are the same officers who investigate the many Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women cases. These officers are the same officers who don't do the same for Native women reporting sexual assaults. There's no faith in any of these areas I've covered.

When there's no faith in the government or law enforcement, our statistics increase because if they don't care about us why should we care about ourselves? We are victims of the society bullies. We deserve people who support us to be by our side to educate and improve the relationship between the government and the police. No race deserves to suffer in silence. But should you read this article and shrug or trash talk it, just remember, you could've been the person behind the change we all want.

We owe it to future generations to improve the quality of life because we've all seen enough violence. We've known ignorance. We've known abuse.

Now is our time to rise up against it and reclaim our voices!!

Who's with me??