#cherish fairclough
Today I laughed… and cried, today I was proud… and ashamed
By Cherish Fairclough
So here I sit in my hotel room… I should be relaxing with my book or curling up to sleep but my brain just won’t quit and it’s time for me to express, once again, feelings I have related to indigenous life…
For those who know me well, you will know that I believe in the rights and freedoms of all people; and that as an indigenous person, indigenous issues are always close to my heart.
Today was an interesting day. This has been an interesting week, month, year, lifetime…
As the world goes, “minority” peoples have always inherently suffered at the hands of others. Not all others, but enought that it has a ripple effect that passes from the elderly to the youngest infant. Indigenous people are not the only to suffer for reasons that are truly nonsensical and based on fear combined with lack of knowledge… this is something we all know, and everyday we see it happening around us.
When I first read an article earlier this week about Health Canada sending body bags to aboriginal reservations I felt sick. Is this really the country I live in? Is this really the country I have been proud to be a citizen of? I was ashamed. Yet another act by the federal government, however direct or indirect, that has brought shame on our country in the eyes of the international world and shame on our indigenous peoples. Was it not embarrassing enough that Health Canada refused to send these reservations hand sanitizer because it contained alcohol? Hand sanitizer that was sent to other non-aboriginal communities to fight the spread of the swine flu but was refused to the reservations because of course, as aboriginal people, it would be used to get drunk rather than save lives… right? Absurd!
It makes me wonder how indigenous people are viewed in the general public… and by our government that will not hesitate to tout it’s “pride” to the international world of the rich indigenous culture we have. Actions speak louder than words; the actions I have seen from our federal government show me nothing of pride. Nothing of support. Nothing of unity. Are we so worthless? I don’t think so.
Everyday I see indigenous people that live hard lives and that suffer with myriads of different issues… but I also see strength and beauty every day too. Can the same not be said of people of all cultures…?
My Dad… I am so proud of him every day. As an indigenous man he has worked hard to break down barriers that would keep him from being the man he is today. When I think of my Dad I see only strength and wisdom and love. He works hard, he cares for his family, he respects his peers, and he is a role model to me… and surely to others. He is not always perfect, but no one ever is. When I hear him speak in the legislative assembly my heart swells; my Dad, an aboriginal man, exercising his knowledge and passion to do what is right for his constituents and his people. Would Health Canada send him hand sanitizer?
My co-workers… what a fabulous group of people! I work at the local friendship centre in Whitehorse and although not all of our staff is indigenous it’s darn close. We offer positive programs in the community geared towards aboriginal people but open to any who wish to participate. I consider the amount of work that is done at the centre and feel honored to be a part of it. A group of like minded people working towards a better future for our community, our territory, our country. Some days our work can be challenging… but we can go home and know that we make a difference. Would we be denied the vaccine if we asked for it?
The many indigenous youth I have had the honor of meeting and knowing… they work hard towards completing their education, gaining skills, and being involved in their communities. Most of them are so globally minded it suprises me on a regular basis. They discuss the issues they face and what can be done to overcome those issues so future generations do not have to repeat the same struggles. They talk about climate change and how they see it affecting their communities, the local habitats, and their tradtional ways of life. They are open and willing to learn from those around them. They volunteer their time to raise money for community events and for charitable causes. Being so young they must not stand a chance… body bags are cheaper to ship right?
To the many other loved ones that I have shared laughter (much laughter, it heals the soul don’t ya know?) and tears with… so many incredible people, too many to list! I hope they would get the supplies they needed to prevent from contracting this awful virus.
I must be seing the world through rose colored glasses because I just can’t seem to understand these actions that time and again seem to show that Canada’s indigenous people are worthless… by our country’s government no less! Well I don’t think we are worthless; I think we have as much to offer as any other group of people in this country.
I will continue to share good times with my friends and family. We will continue to do the work we do, however un-appreciated it may be at times. We will continue to be involved in the arts & entertainment, in government, in all aspects of professional practice. We will continue to strive for unity and understanding. We will continue to stand for what is right and fair. We will continue to do this… if the government doesn’t decide to sit back and watch us all die of something they could have provided us the cure for.
