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Oakville Beaver | Thursday, June 29,2023 | 14 insidehalton.com CT) ae fibre-powered network as fast as Col UT amYZ-10) 4al-1amelatelale [= (6 COGECO N Colla (elero] Mee lalatcrellie)a} TB OPINION: NATIONAL INDIGENOUS HISTORY MONTH WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE CALLED AN INDIGENOUS ARTIST? THE NAME MAY BE APPLIED IN THE PIRIT OF RECONCILIATION, BUT IT STRIKES COLUMNIST SHANE PENNELLS AS STRANGE SHANE PENNELLS: Column Often when I'm part ofa public event I'm intro- duced as an "Indigenous Artist." While I know it's done out of a spirit of rec- onciliation and wanting to honour my Ojibway heri- tage, it does strike me asa bit strange. Who else gets an ethni- cally specific modifier in front of their name when being introduced? It would be strange and even re- dundant to introduce my editor as a "Scottish-Cana- dian journalist," right? We usually only use specific modifiers for immigrants, as a way to respect their origins and journeys. So why use it then with those who've been in Canada the longest, as the term "In- digenous" literally means? Another question it raises is which term de- fine: r: “"Indige- nous" oF vartist?” Should everything I do be inter- preted through an Indige- nous lens? AmI selling my community short if I don't make Indigenous-focused themes central to my ar- tistic work? Or could I just be an Indigenous person who is an artist and there- fore my work may not al- ways have Indigenous ele- ments? This should highlight how difficult finding that path toward Reconcilia- tion can be. This means that despite all of our best intentions, mistakes are going to be made at som point by all involved. its inevitable and absolutely acceptable. I believe most of Cana- dian society realizes how badly Indigenous people have been treated and are seeking a way to correct those injustices. The ques- tion therefore becomes that if you want to honour Indigenous people, do you highlight their unique cul- tural background as part of their public titles, or is that unintentionally fur- thering a sense of separate or outsider status from what is considered "main- stream" Canadian society? Personally, I'm OK with being introduced with the adjective "Indigenous," for ow. If we're willing to ad- mit, on all sides of the Rec- onciliation effort, that we don't have all the answers, then we're creating space for respectful dialogue The Indigenous communi- ty won't achieve Reconcili- ation on its own, and the broader Canadian com- munity shouldn't be ex- pected to do all the work themselves either. e are in the midst c of a Pentre rise in crimes and race- related incidents, fuelled by in- creasing political divi- sions, Social media ex- tremi id an ongoing economic evjownturn. In periods of social unrest, panic and fear can take away the ability to make rational assessments of the difficulties we face, leading to feelings of isola- tion and being disenfran- chise problematically, hate doesn't need a reason ora logic, only an opportu- nity. That's why we must wet re often seeing is some- who has had their sense of self so beaten down, they can't see the beauty and worth in them- selves, let alone in anyone els That's why Reconcilia- tion is necess: when difficult toments inevitably ai choose to let go go soft hate and prejudice and instead fo- mn building a better, mote ‘inclusive c communi- ty. If being introduced as "Indigenous" for a while is part of that progress, as frustrating as that can be, so be it. Shane Pennells is an Indigenous filmmaker and writer who works with at-risk youth. iO} ‘SCAN THIS CODE for more Truth H through Storytelling