Undeniable
In the last week, a US website has published a problematic opinion piece that pushes Indian Residential School denialism. Then a non Indigenous Canadian podcaster invited the author of said oped to come onto his podcast to debate! These two instances alone have revived conversations that downplay the harm that IRS has caused. This is reminiscent of the narrative disgraced former senator Lynn Beyak tried to push. IRS denialism isn't denying that they existed, however “the end game of denialism is to obscure truth about Canada’s IRS system in ways that ultimately protect the status quo as well as guilty parties.” The article from the USA said the unmarked graves were “fake news” that was creating an unwarranted moral panic in Canada, and around the world. It alleged these mass unmarked graves may not be kids who died maliciously, it included cherry picked experiences from one IRS survivor and it included some questionable academics. We can’t allow this type of IRS denialism to go unchallenged. I implore the author of that article, all media makers or podcast hosts and all Canadians that want to engage to sit down and read the chapter from the TRC that talks about unmarked graves and profiles the thousands of kids that never made it home. I wrote about this previously last year and shared this detail: In total there are presently 4118 children within the national student memorial register. Since then, there have been many more discoveries that have rightfully given survivors a platform many were not afforded previously to share their stories of lost relatives and other atrocities. We need to surround those survivors with love and with support. These were children, this was an atrocity, this was genocide.
Undeniable Pain
One thing that is undeniable is how this mainstream-ified denialism conversation is so hurtful for many, including me, as the son of an Indian Residential School survivor. There are horrible stories within our families that have yet to be told about the horrors, the damage & the harm across generations that came from these systems of family separation. It is undeniable that Indian Residential Schools, day schools, forced relocations, 60's scoop, child welfare & more have & continue to hurt Indigenous families. My heart breaks for survivors who have to hear and see this played out on social and mainstream media. It's undeniable that the unmarked graves and #everychildmatters continue to bring terrible memories and trauma for survivors and families. It is also undeniable that we are very ill equipped as a society to provide for the mental health needs and the compounded health challenges that are coming to the forefront.
Undeniable Strength
It is undeniable that I am grateful for the relatives & community leaders surrounding survivors with love and sharing supports & teachings of grief & healing in this difficult and triggering time. Nigaan wrote an article that captures a similair sentiment that I encourage Winnipeg Free Press readers to check out. It is also undeniable that seeing Indigenous leaders and people directly affected having to time and time again come out and defend survivors and their truths, when all the legal documentations, inquires and reports exist, is frustrating. That we continue to share our truths and push for healing and change is undeniably inspiring. Our strength is visible in every page of every report, I repetetively mention, so if you haven’t read the AJI, the TRC, the MMIWG Inquiry and if you’re in Manitoba, Opportunities to Improve Outcomes for Children and Youth can help you get started.
Undeniable Survivors
It's undeniable that survivors and their truths are what have brought us this far. It is the undeniable pain and loss in their stories that they have overcome in the face of so much that shows us all that we can persevere. It is undeniable that within Indigenous knowledge are the teachings we need to bounce back from tough moments like this. We have teachings on grief and loss, on truth, on justice and we need those teachings especially when we struggle. It's undeniable that we need our allies to help advocate, support and implement the wishes of survivors and their families. It is undeniable that I will do what I can to learn these teachings, heal myself and my family, walk in a good way and push these systems so that we can care for all of our relatives, especially survivors and their families.
In the coming weeks, I hope that the acts of reconciliation and justice that people take and the seriousness of this work will be lifted up as we celebrate Indigenous History month and National Indigenous Peoples day. Yes, we must celebrate, but it is undeniable that we all must get to work.
