Sandi L. Boucher explains two truths about Canadian reconciliation: the full scope of historical harm to Indigenous peoples went far beyond residential schools, including laws that restricted movement, names, hunting, and family contact. The second truth is intergenerational trauma from those histories still shapes Indigenous communities today.
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Do you remember playing the game Two truths and a Lie? It's my turn and I tell you three facts about myself and one of them isn't true. And it's your job to figure out which one isn't true. Well, when it comes to reconciliation, there's two truths we really got to get comfy with, so hopefully we don't end up in a lie. Let's talk about it. Sam. Foreign. Hi everybody. My name is Andy Boucher. I'm Red Thunderbolt, woman of the Loon clan, a proud member of Seine River First Nation in Treaty 3 Territory in Northern Ontario. And welcome back for yet another week of videos. Here we talk about all things reconciliation through Indigenous eyes, offering you a perspective that maybe you don't get to hear very often. And what I love the most about the work I do is I'm not offering Indigenous perspective, just on popular topics. I'm actually letting you into my world, my life, my world view, to let you know what it's truly like to be Indigenous in this country. And so that hopefully if you're not Indigenous, it helps you build more sustainable, respectful, appreciated bridges. So let's jump right into it. Of course, we're starting with Monday. So that's the September 4, 2023 blog post and it's called Two Truths and a Lie. As I mentioned in the little intro to this video, it's a game you've probably played. But when it comes to Canadian reconciliation, there are two truths that everyone not only needs to understand, but needs to remember and embrace and bring into everyday conversations. So what am I talking about? Well, the first truth is the past. What happened to Indigenous people over the years since, since the settlers arrived. And guess what? I'm not just talking about the residential school system. We know that was a horrific system that has manifested into other systems, including the present day child welfare system. But that was one piece of legislation. The fact that we needed to get passes to leave our communities, the fact that it was illegal for an Indigenous person to get a loan, the fact that we had to get permission to go hunting or to even see our own kids in school. And then if you look at the far north with the Inuit, well, you've got cases where they were assigned surnames or even numbers. It is worth looking into. And if you have any questions, comment below. I will definitely expand on whatever you're interested in. That's the first truth. The second truth is commonly known as intergenerational trauma. What happened to Indigenous people because our parents or grandparents or older siblings went to the residential schools. Now remember, these children at worst experienced abuse, neglect, poverty. They were starving for attention, love and often food. They weren't taught conflict resolution. There was no support system when they came out. There was no counseling set up to help them deal with their trauma. They just went home and often became parents and had all of this hurt and pain inside them and no recourse, no way to address it. So many tried escaping into alcohol, into violence, or both, or just even worse paths. Now those children were affected. They didn't understand why their parents couldn't say I love you, why their parents never hugged them, why their parents were quick to judge and criticize them, but not offer the love and support that non indigenous children experience. Something that became obvious to them when they got into higher grades and started interacting with non indigenous Canadians. That's intergenerational trauma. Now I've seen people that have healed from it, I've seen people that are still struggling from it and most of us are still unpacking all of the ways it affected us. That's present day reality. Yet we get judged for not being great parents or great employees. And the way we behave is in what mainstream would like us to do. That's assimilation, by the way. That's on your, your side of the feather. You should work on that. That's the two truths. And if Canada starts remembering those realities, we can't forget them. But if Canadians start remembering those realities and incorporating them into their decisions and their interactions with us, then we can actually get closer to reconciliation. If not, then anything we do is just going to be more empty promises. The lie. I believe we can do this. I, I've put all my time and energy for 14 years into supporting this process. I'm thrilled that you're here and joining me in this work. So there you go, my friends. Two truths that hopefully won't lead to yet another lie. I have so much to share with you this week. Hang on to your seats. I'll see you back tomorrow. Don't forget to subscribe and make sure to comment, especially if there's something you'd like to learn more about. Until tomorrow. I love you. Take care. Bye bye.
