Let’s be friends

I write on stolen land, from the traditional territories of many nations, including the Missisaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat people. Turtle Island and Inuit Nunagat are home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, who continue to face systemically unjust barriers to food, water, healthcare, and education. As a white settler, I am responsible for holding myself, my family, my friends, and my colleagues accountable for conscious or unconscious bias and racism, and to lobby for fair pay and representation of Indigenous folks in my artistic community and my workplace. The book Seven Fallen Feathers by Tanya Talaga  completely changed my understanding of Canada’s ongoing genocide against Indigenous peoples.

Many incredible Idigenous-led organizations are doing the vital work of supporting Indigenous communities all across Canada, and I encourage you to find organizations in your area that you can support. NWIA (Native Women in the Arts) is a not-for-profit organization for First Nations, Inuit and Métis women and other Indigenous gender marginalized folks who share the common interest of art, culture, community and the advancement of Indigenous peoples. The Native Youth Sexual Health Network provides resources, advocacy, and education for Indigenous communities, including Two-Spirit and LGBTTIQ youth outreach.