Category Archives: Uncategorized

Indian Child Removal

Indian child removal was the socially and politically acceptable policy behind residential schools, American Indian Boarding schools, Canada’s 60s Scoop and the American Indian Adoption Projects. One quarter of all American Indian children were removed from their families and placed … Continue reading

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Telling our truth

Much of what passes for history in this country and elsewhere is intelligent speculation. People get most of their history from novels, movies, TV and stories told to them as children. What we learn in school is connected to … Continue reading

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An Ugly Duckling

As a little boy, the first time I heard the story of the Ugly Duckling, I was touched by it. There was something about it, which spoke to me. The story of a bird being raised in a family of … Continue reading

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Life has its ironies

Life has its ironies. In order to establish equality, you have to push back against inequality. In order to establish silence, sometimes you have to shout. In order to have peace, sometimes you have to make the other believe you … Continue reading

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On Cultural Appropriation

When I was growing up, the closest thing to a positive public image of Aboriginal people I can recall seeing was the TV test pattern. Almost every other Aboriginal image was in a negative context (TV, movies. comic books, stories, … Continue reading

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Knowing where you come from and the importance of Name.

Knowing where you come from When I visit with my Granddaughter Sarah I always call her by her Anishinaabe name: Nimiijien Niibense. It means Little Light Dancing on the Water. She loves pronouncing it. She also loves to hear the story … Continue reading

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To take a stand you have to stand up

I have been watching with interest the groundswell movement known as Idle No More and the events going on around the country. Some believe its a short term response to recent legislation, but, while such may have been a trigger, … Continue reading

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