Casual reminder that if you're going into Indigenous affairs with the mentality of a saviour, or that those you want to help will fall on their knees or sing songs about your deeds, it's probably not the right job for you.
You know the mindset or daydream where you are the noble colonial saviour of the ignorant savage Indigenous populations.
Of course, it probably looks and feels different to powdered wigs and swords and pistols on your hip while riding a white horse as the Indigenous populations offer treasures and themselves to you in thanks.
It probably presents as being extremely passionate. Unfortunately, this is the toxic kind of passion not the useful kind.
Perhaps you've gone to remote communities and seen everything that needs to change without actually talking to the communities about what they need.
(Self-centric rather than community-centric).
Perhaps you think you know what the issue is and what's best for them. Maybe you're right, most likely you're just being incredibly ignorant and displaying extreme self confidence.
(And yay for that, but also time and place).
Perhaps when you go to consult on policy or programs, your consultation process isn't conducted properly (including trying to hold meetings during sorry business, or not making efforts to actually meet with the community), or even abusing your position of authority without even realising you're doing it.
(See also gratuitous concurrence)
Perhaps it's even being so proud to work in Indigenous affairs, so proud that your whole/a significant part of your career has been in this space but you've never spoken to an Indigenous person outside of your team.
Perhaps you are just chasing that high of being helpful (See also Angel of Death/Mercy in nursing) and think that Indigenous affairs is the easiest way to meet your addiction.
If you've ever felt like this, if you currently feel like this, may I suggest you take a step back and really think about whether this is the right career path for you. Because whether you're in public service, charitable organisations, or the private sector, the work you do in this space directly impacts on people's lives, their physical and mental health, and perhaps most importantly, their perception of how they'll be treated by the next organisation.
