We may have heard about the Red Power Movement through our parents, better known as the American Indian Movement (AIM), originating in the Sixties. There were many reasons for starting these groups back then that still apply to our situation as Native youth today. I think the primary reasons being racism and hatred toward our kind in the media, education system and in government policies failing to recognize our constitutional rights as First Peoples. The complexity of this hate has compounded itself in the past SO years making it hard for the untrained mind to detect just where it’s coming from. Whether or not we hold degrees in social behavioural patterns, demographics, political science and other wordy psycho-analytical terms, Native youth feel the effects of racism on a daily basis. We get it from the likes of rude people, degrading comments, harassment, and physical violence. I mean, just being a human in this constrictive society is hard enough, but what with all the rest of it something must be done.
The movement of the Sixties was probably based somewhere along those lines just as they are today. The difference between then and now is that if we don’t speak up about these occurrences and actually make changes in sociey’s views of us as Native protectors of this land, the damage done to the environment may be irreversible.
In talking about these issues in such an apocalyptic way I don’t mean to frighten, or in any encourage people to “take over,” rather just open up a safe and realistic floor to re-educate ourselves to the complexities of these racist occurrences. In creating this safe place it is important for us to come together and share our experiences with each other about the realities of being Native and to give support when it’s needed.
Red Power may be misunderstood by non-Natives as being much like White Power, and we all know that that is a very different kind of empowerment with very different goals and objectives. Red Power is about sharing, educating ourselves and understanding the issues faced by Native people everyday. When we reach a consensus only then can we begin to effectively reverse the damage done. We as Native people have not experienced the togetherness of our old societies for many generations and we may not ever be able to get to that exact place, but at least we are trying in a semi-traditional way through respect, honour, understanding, empathy, listening, sharing, spiritually and trust. Using these powerful qualities we will redefine being Native and win back our self-worth, esteem and pride. The importance does not lay on whether or not people think we’re drunks, useless Canadians, or other labels for oppression, but rather on whether or not we believe in our own purpose for being. The togetherness I’m writing about is being transcended through such groups as the Native Youth Movement whose purpose is just that – being together, being proud of who we are, and standing together when we need support. When we start to open our eyes, put aside our addictions, care for our children properly, respect ourselves mind, body, is the time we will make lasting changes, and that time is right now!
We will be able to teach Canadians about us when we know who we are. In turn they will fully understand who they are and teach us about themselves. Every one of us has been denied the truth of our origin, every one of us affected by it; we are all victims of racism and hatred. I ask the Great Spirit to send a message to non-Natives to stop believing the lies spread by mainstream media and the misinformed education system and start supporting their local Natives by respecting our existence, because the sooner we heal the sooner we can make the necessary changes that will free their own fears and misunderstandings about us and together we will create a fully functioning educated society. Until then keep an open mind, respect yourself and others, and with that we will restore peace, equality and redefine our purpose in this world.
You know straight across the board, hardly anyone really knows what is Indian. The word Indian in itself doesn’t mean anything. That’s how come nobody knows anything about Indians.
