It’s been a couple days since the Gerald Stanley verdict, and, it still feels pretty raw.
If you’ve been online you’ve likely seen articles about the case. What you aren’t necessarily seeing is the hate that is coming with them. The comments are abhorrent - laced with incorrect information about the case, racism towards Indigenous people and plain ignorance. We’ve seen a lot of generalized hate about our people, been compared to dogs, and implied that we don’t deserve the same rights as “true Canadians”. Many Indigenous activists have been taking a lot of online abuse, myself included. In fact, I have personally been told that...
* It’s really too bad that his ancestors didn’t wipe out mine like they should have because then I would have never been born.
* That I should just cease to exist or be dead already. Which is hard to swallow as an Indigenous woman when in Canada there are thousands of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
* That it’s too bad I didn’t attend residential school then they wouldn’t have to deal with me being such a problem because I’d act like a “real Canadian”.
* That if the Government had just sterilized me like they should’ve continued to do to Indigenous women I wouldn’t have had to worry about my son’s life because I wouldn’t have one.
* And if I want to keep him safe he should just stay on the Reservation (which btw we don’t live on) and off peoples land. And, I find the irony in that last statement is astounding.
And, that’s just the highlight reel. And, what I’ve received is mild in comparison as I’ve seen friends receive a lot worse.
In fact, two hashtags were created #SettlerCollector and #TrollCollector for us to use so allies would step in and take on some of the emotional labour on this - more on allies in a moment. And, one of our media sites was hacked- taking it offline after an article was posted criticizing the case.
It’s all meant to silence us. If we are berated enough, if we are scared enough, the we might be silent and things can go back to the status quo because we will stop pushing for change.
Unfortunately unfollowing/ignoring this case isn’t an option. Not if we want change. We’re finding comfort in one another - in our collective grief/mourning; anger and desire for change; as well as love, support and hope in each other’s words. We’re driven by the fact that this case impacts our lives and our future generations lives.
Systematic racism and a judicial system that is failing Indigenous people is nothing new. It’s not a system built for us. And we’ve seen that time and time again even just recently with Tina Fontaine and Barb Kentner. We’re accustomed to it, and Colten sadly won’t be the last without real action.
We’re trying to survive. We’re trying to ensure basic human rights are bestowed upon us. We’re seeking to improve a judicial system that isn’t biased against us whether that be as a defendant or as a victim seeking justice.
Now during all this, please remember we’re trying to live our lives while this impacts our lives. I’ve been going to work and going through the motions, albeit a little less “myself”. I’ve been closely guarding over my son, as I’m cognizant of the fact that some of what I’ve been hearing might get to him and I need to counteract every ounce of that with love, and praise. And, I’ve been showing up for my community.
Which brings me back to allies. I’ve noted a lot of silence from so called allies which is a tough pill to swallow and hard not take personally. Some mean well but haven’t quite figured out the role quite yet. Some want praise for being a good ally. Alternatively, some inadvertently make the situation about them. Some ask invasive questions in trying to understand. And some are downright amazing using their privilege without overshadowing any voices, checking in but not pushing boundaries as they’re aware that we’re on edge. With everything going on above, it’s important that allies do their own work and don’t put any more of a burden on Indigenous individuals right now.
We’re trying to survive. We’re trying to heal. We’re demanding change.
