Sandi's Vlog

Teach Them

I am awake, I am alive, and this morning two words are echoing in my head – “Teach them”.

Mom so often repeated, “Teach them how to treat you”. She reminded me that if I wanted others to be kind to me, I had to be kind to me. If I wanted respect from others, I had to respect myself and show them how it is done. And on and on. But this morning, I think it is so much more than that, a sacred duty if you will, of the Indigenous as stewards of the land.

We have to teach them.

Truth be told, settler ancestors would not have survived here without our guidance. They had no idea how to navigate our waters, to find their way through our multiple terrains. They relied on us to teach them and we did. We shared something sacred and now, they are abusing it.

We could just take it back, demand that responsibility reverts back to us or we could simply realize we never gave up that responsibility. Ask a water walker. Ask a land defender. They will tell you.

As I sip coffee and play the role of armchair warrior, I see nothing good coming out of condemning the actions of the government for rallying to save the lives and homes of those in Quebec and New Brunswick. As Indigenous, we should be on the front lines, offering the same support, showing how it is possible to assist those you do not understand. And then, in turn, perhaps more will rise to ensure Kastachewan gets the same treatment, along with any other community required to evacuate year after year after year.

Because truth be told, no healing is dependent on the abuser suddenly playing nice. If it were, many women of all colours would be in horrific trouble. Our healing begins when we decide who we will be, how tall we will stand, how softly we will speak, how much we will assist in spite of what “they” do.

Canadians have never defined me. From the very first time a settler descendant looked down on my Mother, I pitied their blindness. As an adult, I watched as men and women chose again and again to remain blind, to judge, to condemn, without ever once educating themselves on our reality, our history, our truths. All the while telling us that we are the ones that are uneducated.

With people like that, along with anyone who underestimates me, I simply giggle. I shake my head. I pray for them. Then I got back to the business at hand.

When the student is ready … the teacher must be too. We know what we have to do, and, in my opinion, we can’t afford to wait for them to figure it out. We have to quit begging to be heard and instead, simply speak to those that do hear us while shutting out COMPLETELY those that don’t.

Let them build mines in their cities, pipelines through their backyards,
and let’s see how fast they change their tune. After all, they are safe right? There is no risk?

Yeah, while that goes on, I will be over here, de-stressing under a tree, beside a clear, clean lake, far from any highway or vehicle, watching as city dwellers begin to realize just how lost they are. Maybe then they will stop trying to teach our kids that they should want to be just like them.

Yes, we must be ready. Not to yell. Not to bang our chests, but to speak when the noise quiets down, just as any great Elder does.

And we must insist that the noise quiet down.

And we must refrain from drinking the Kool-Aid they offer, no matter how thirsty we believe we are. After all, the water is there to quench our thirst, if we don’t give it away.

Food for thought on this glorious day.

Be well my friend. Love you today and please, love and cherish this planet.
 

I love you!
HUGSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Sandi
 

***This is an excerpt from Sandi’s most recent book, “I am Awake …”. available for purchase on her website or on Amazon.ca.***