Web MasterLEADERSHIP HUB CONNECTION
- Fill out the strategic planning worksheet..
- What tools from your leadership toolbox can you recommend – is there anything from the resource list you found helpful?
- Continue developing your community project ideas – how can the tools discussed today help you with your project?
TAKE ACTION!
Share your story to engage someone from the community in your project.
REFLECTION
Watch video: “I’m not the Indian you had in mind.” Think about how your perception of others can affect your storytelling and your community engagement efforts. Share your reflection on the Portal.
http://www.nsi-canada.ca/2012/03/im-not-the-indian-you-had-in-mind/#
REFLECTION: This was an amazing poem. I got the sense that the speakers in the video weren’t just talking to a hypothetical non-Indigenous viewer, but that they were also talking to themselves. Trying to figure out who they are as Indigenous and as Canadian individuals, as well as where they–and their communities–are going. It’s like they know that media portrayals of Indigenous people are racist, but to some degree they have internalized it throughout their lives, and now are trying to overcome that brainwashing. The same with White capitalism: the speakers realize that they have bought into its values and systems (literally), and have contributed in some way to its negative effects on both the land and themselves as Indigenous people—but, they don’t really know how to escape it. And while all Canadians grapple with these conflicts of identity and brainwashing, the land deteriorates either way. It makes me think back to arguments about liberation that I heard in school: should white people try to be active allies, or is simply backing off and leaving racialized folks alone the best way to do that?
In terms of storytelling, I was raised to think about Indigenous people a certain way: either not at all, or as one big group with no differences between them. Both are very dangerous. Even now, I wonder if Indigenous people still live in Mississauga, even though logic tells me of course they do. When I develop Peel in Colour, I need to learn more about the Indigenous history of this area, as well as local Indigenous organizations that I can outreach to. I need to make it clear that Indigenous folks are welcome, do land acknowledgements, find ways to “decolonize” my group facilitation skills.
Question #3: Even though the main goal for Peel in Colour is ongoing programming, I think the event planning checklists will be particularly useful for me. Although I am very detailed-oriented, I’ll always miss some key point or other! Having a list is the best way for me to remember, especially since I can photocopy these and highlight different parts for different team members.
TAKE ACTION: Hey folks! I shared my pitch for Peel in Colour with 1) my local QTBIPOC community and 2) a Artistic Director of a small non-profit that provides performing-arts workshops to disadvantaged youth.
Nothing more than FB “Likes” from my friends so far (haha), but I got some fantastic advice and encouragement from the Artistic Director. It made me admit how much I have to learn to make all my goals a reality. But it’s also nice to know there are people willing to help me, and that I can make a difference in an arts-based way despite not being a “pro”.
This is great Melanie, I’d love to hear what feedback you got from the Artistic Director. I am sure that others can learn from it!
Hi Melanie
I know the feeling. I think with my project I am going to maybe even have a test run first so that I can determine what requires improvement etc.
Hi Melanie
Often times its just finding like minded people to get your idea off the ground. I work with a youth led non-profit organization in Brampton, started by 19-20 year old youth who wanted to help “at risk” kids stay in school by using art not just as an expression but a possible career choice.
Valerie asked her close friends and family friends about their support and she got it. She did an indiegogo fundraiser and received about $5000 in donations in 30 days. Her story is amazing… This $5000 lasted 3 semesters. Now she is prepared to apply for an OTF Youth Grant.
There are always someone who can help, if you just say what you need help with.
Good Luck
Therese
There were a couple points in the film that stood out for me as very powerful statements, the first being “the cliches you can’t rewind”. It is a reminder to me that words are important and that once you say something aloud it become tangible. You can’ t take back the things you say, particularly in this age of digital media and social media. The lesson for me here is to be very precise with my language and most importantly ensure that individuals speak for themselves in a way that is accessible to them.
I also thought about cliches and assumptions and where they come from. Media of all forms and the consumption of that media impacts how we think, what we think and what we say. If there are individuals who are not being represented in the media they are left out of the narrative and therefore we will never hear their stories and their histories from their own perspective.
I am also reminded that these second hand narratives are not just misunderstood or misconstrued stories. Often, they are carefully crafted misdirections and flat out lies told by the ruling class designed at redefining history in order to maintain privilege.
The biggest lesson is ask someone who they are don’t tell them who they are.
“Ask someone who they are, don’t tell them” Very well said Tamique.
After watching the video, I took a good look at myself and the image I had of what I was told an Indian is and how they look and they were referred to as Red Indians ? Now after being in Canada for over 30 years, reading about and listening/watching movies and videos and news of the struggle of the first nations, I still can’t say I know who they are, as the film suggests they have also changed over time and adapted to the Starbucks culture. What I can say is I have a better understanding of who they are.
I echo the same sentiments as you Tamique, we must be very careful with our words as we may say things in a way that may be hurtful and even if we realize, apologize we can never take those words back or rewind our actions and replace them with appropriate ones. It’s like apologizing to the first nations for Residential schools which was carefully planned and executed for a specific agenda and outcome. How can one ever truly resolve this from the inside in…..
Labels how interesting… I was told a few weeks ago that I could not do something, because it was a cut-throat business and I am just too nice… like being too nice is a problem.
We all label people and we need to start seeing people as individuals. That person had no idea who I am, what I believed in, why I want to do and what I breathe for. That person didn’t know what motivated me, what makes me sleep an extra 30 minutes or what wakes me up 1 hour or 2 earlier…
And you know what is sad… had I been another person, those words would have stopped me and then my gifts would have never been hidden… but because I am me, that just made me want it more….
Labels are a disadvantage to those receiving and more so for those giving…