In 2013, while I was working in the Quebec public service, I announced that I had landed a job within my Nation and that, at the same time, I was returning to live at home, in my community. Several people saw everything very positively, but I was also told of various concerns that, in a certain way, I immediately accepted the unhappy life of the native communities… Can you feel the unease I am feeling? have then lived?
It is exactly the same uneasiness that I felt when I saw the photos presented in “A Look at 2021 – The Reality of Aboriginals”.
My immediate reaction was to say, “Phew! However, 2021 has also been marked by strong moments, not just strewn with suffering… The stigma of the miserable lives of Aboriginal people is persistent. It casts a shadow over all the advances made, successes, etc.
Please understand me, I am not saying that these realities do not exist. On the contrary, continuous awareness is necessary so as not to lose sight of them. Above all, I want to share with you the importance of a nuanced, balanced statement. To also give space to successes, innovations, contributions of which indigenous peoples are proud. Why focus only on suffering? Is it the public image that sums up the place of Aboriginal peoples in Quebec society?
I believe it is essential to showcase successes and celebrate them. These are hopeful and inspiring. They allow us to dream of a future without barriers or limits, or at least, meet as few as possible, so that the next generations can have the freedom to aspire to what good they will want to become and believe that anything is possible.
Like many of you, we also read different media and need, for our own mental health, to see that we are moving forward, that our efforts to contribute to the development of indigenous peoples are noticed, that we exist both in the right places. times than in the less good …
Success
So, to balance the aforementioned “Look at 2021”, here is a flurry of unimportant successes that have occurred this year:
– The rooming house project for Aboriginals in Montreal, led by Quebec Native Projects, has been approved by the City of Montreal as part of the Federal Initiative for the Rapid Creation of Housing. Several other projects are in development aimed at offering culturally appropriate services to Indigenous people experiencing homelessness or at risk.
– Kiuna College, the only Indigenous CEGEP in Quebec, located in Odanak, celebrated its 10th anniversary! It’s 10 years of commitment to training the next Indigenous leaders.
– The Montreal Canadiens delivered their first territorial recognition and influenced several other organizations in Quebec to follow suit.
– The appointment of Michèle Audette (Innu) to the Senate and her swearing-in in Innu-aimun (Innu language), a first!
– The Atikamekw Nation Council unveiled its Atikamekw youth strategy: Ke here matcitcik ka ockatisitcik, chosen and written by young Atikamekw, youth takes its place!
– Mélanie Paul (Innu) and Danièle Henkel announced the creation of the Moccasins and High Heels Circle aimed at making First Nations and Inuit women entrepreneurs shine across Quebec.
– The School of First Nations Leaders, propelled by the School of Leaders of HEC Montreal, on the initiative of Manon Jeannotte (Mi’gma) and Ken Rock (Innu), was launched. The school will equip community leaders and enable them to ensure governance that will propel communities, organizations and businesses even further!
– Several members of indigenous communities have been in the running for literary, musical and artistic prizes. There are so many that I couldn’t name them all here. Let us mention in particular Isabelle Picard (Wendate), who, for her work Nish, was selected for the Cécile-Gagnon award from the Association des writers québécois pour la jeunesse, Anachnid (Oji-Crie), which won the Félix for Indigenous Artist of the Year at 43e ADISQ gala, Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo (Mohawk), who received the prize in the performance category at the Montreal Grand Prix de la danse…
– The representation of Aboriginals on television, radio and on social networks was also felt: Jemmy Echaquan Dubé (Atikamekw) in his role of Méli in All the life, Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs (Mohawk) in the series Reservation Dogs, Jolie-Ann (Anishinabeg) in Double occupancy in the West, Mélissa Mollen-Dupuis (Innu) with the radio show Kuei! Kwe! (first radio show devoted to indigenous cultures on Radio-Canada), a growing number of creators of indigenous content use the TikTok platform such as Xavier Watso (Abénakis), recognized by TikTok Canada and the National Institute of screen.
In fact, the list could go on and on because so many positive, constructive, hopeful things took place in 2021. I invite us to remember them, because they will continue to shape our future together!
Wliwni (said to himself ole-oné)! Thank you !
Wli nanawalmezi! Take good care of yourself !