Thread by @kwetoday, I attended training that had an Indigenous cultural component, one time.An Indigenous [...]

Naomi Sayers, Lawyer

kwetoday

I attended training that had an Indigenous cultural component, one time.

An Indigenous woman elder was facilitating. I was happy. Then, we did this one exercise, and we had to share a thing.

At that time, I was articling and I was under a good character investigation. Almost nobody knew.

I shared this. I started crying. I was angry and frustrated. I said I would use my experiences to make it better for others. Through tears.

That “elder”? She said that I wasn’t ready.

This woman was allegedly well respected and won many awards for her work.

I didn’t respond to her and I didn’t engage her further. I just continued to do my work when I left.

I ended up changing a policy that has never been reviewed in over 40 years. And, I changed it so that others didn’t have to deal with the BS I did.

This is why when people use “elders” or hide behind elders to say things that are not appropriate, it’s not ok.

I see it in our communities over and over again.

What that elder said that day wasn’t ok. It wasn’t even remotely appropriate. I wanted to tell her fuck you, but she didn’t understand and she wouldn’t.

So when people say I’m too angry or too aggressive. Or that I’m not professional. Or that I’m not ready to do the work.

I just leave.

That kind of negative is the kind of negative that holds too many young Indigenous people back.

Ps. Hiding behind your “elders” or “cultural ways” or “humility” is sometimes also abusive. Not ok.

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