thoughts on "allyship" -- a thread.

The following quote from a newer "ally" confronting the fact of Canada as an occupying force on Indigenous Lands:

"I believe my role is to fight for human rights, and that requires I use critical analysis of any voice before I amplify."

There is a lot to unpack in a small sentence. First some context: #BillC15 in Canada seeks to roll #UNDRIP into Canadian Law. Proponents feel this is a necessary step towards creating "some more fine-grained, granular possibilities to get where we want.” (John Borrows).

Even proponents are measured in their praise for the Bill. And opponents are clear on what's unacceptable in this Bill: "“The Sparrow test will continue to apply in all instances related to S35 rights and UNDRIP articles can be easily overridden in the name of national interest.”

For a backgrounder on the debate, see https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/battle-brewing-over-undrip-a-primer-on-government-bill-c-15/ and for a statement from AIAI rejecting the Bill, please see http://www.aiai.on.ca/newsroom/canadian-view-on-undrip-questionable-at-best/

There is no consensus amongst Indigenous peoples on the Bill. Strong voices and personalities seek to educate folks on their perspectives - with the opponent voice in social media led by a coalition - Indigenous Activist Network, and the AFN and politicians leading charge for it.

As a co-conspirator in this work towards #LandBack I have also been weighing in on the matter, hosting a teach-in with the IAN and sharing analyses and concerns through my various platforms. Other occupier/ settler Canadians are using their platforms to promote adoption.

Along comes a self-identified ally to shore up support for the Bill. This effort in itself is not problematic. It is welcomed by proponents just as mine and other efforts to raise awareness regarding the rejection of this Bill is welcome by opponents.

"I believe my role is to fight for human rights, and that requires I use critical analysis of any voice before I amplify."

This "ally", however, has fallen for 3 Rookie errors: 1) centering oneself; 2) speaking over Indigenous peoples; 3) re-assert Western conceptual dominance

Centering oneself: this statement was one of MANY posts in a thread in which the ally continued to place himself and his role "defending" human rights as THE point of conversation. HE is the arbiter of whose voice is "correct". Being an "ally" means learning to de-centre oneself.

Speaking over Indigenous peoples: Throughout campaign and in the thread, several Indigenous people asked this "ally" to stop talking over Indigenous peoples. His statement in part a defence of his actions. When on a thread an ally is responsible for half the comments? Talk less.

(do not be The Reply Guy, would be allies!)

Reasserting Western conceptual dominance: The "ally" had just settlersplained the UNDRIP process and what constitutes consultation to a Blackfoot man whose social media work is educating settlers about Indigenous rights. When called on settlersplaining, the "ally" doubled down.

In defense of this settlersplaining, the "ally" in another post indicated that he wasn't doing that -- the Blackfoot man took offense and got "emotional" and when "attacking" the ally, the ally didn't get emotional. Which leads to #3:

"I believe my role is to fight for human rights, and that requires I use critical analysis of any voice before I amplify."

No ownership of insult. Dominance of "logic". Western concepts of human rights drive ally to ignore what Indigenous folks have to say about their rights

Being an ally means LISTENING. Reflecting. Then LISTENING.

I am prone to listen to Indigenous leadership who invite Settlers to become collaborators and co-conspirators rather than "allies" -- but that is another thread.