Listening to Indigenous Voices. A Dialogue Guide on Justice and Right Relationships
by Jesuit Forum for Social Faith and Justice
2021 · Novalis · 114 pages
"Canada does not have an 'Indigenous problem', it has a Colonization Problem,” says Associate Professor & Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Environmental Justice Deborah McGregor, an Anishinaabe from Whitefish River First Nation, Birch Island, Ontario. Those of us who have benefited from colonization have a responsibility to address the system that has enriched us by stealing the land and lives of Indigenous Peoples. The first steps in this process are to listen deeply to what Indigenous Peoples are saying to us, to open ourselves to be transformed by their words, and to act based on what they are telling us to address injustices. [Text Source: Novalis]
As the Truth and Reconciliation Commission reminds us, “reconciliation is not about ‘closing a sad chapter of Canada’s past,’ but about opening new healing pathways of reconciliation that are forged in truth and justice.” This process entails “awareness of the past, acknowledgement of the harm that has been inflicted, atonement for the causes, and action to change behaviour.”
To engage in this process, we need to listen deeply to what Indigenous Peoples are saying, open ourselves to be transformed by their words, and act based on what they are telling us so that we can begin to address injustices, heal relationships, and bring about a post-colonial Canada.
Listening to Indigenous Voices explores Indigenous worldviews, examines the history of colonization, and concludes with sessions on righting relationships, decolonization, and indigenization.
The guide features writings from authors such as Arthur Manuel, Beverly Jacobs, Lee Maracle, Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair, Sylvia McAdam Saysewahum, John Borrows, and Robin Wall Kimmerer, along with works from a variety of Indigenous artists including Christi Belcourt and Kent Monkman.
Created as 11 separate chapter-workshops, this book incorporates many Indigenous voices so that readers-participants can:
Increase their knowledge about the diverse Indigenous Peoples of Canada;
Explore the history, practices, and underlying ideas of colonization in Canada;
Transform themselves in a way that seeks to redress past wrongs and move towards right relationships;
Explore concrete pathways towards right relationships, decolonization, and re-indigenization
Each session includes questions to guide sharing circles as well as curriculum ideas for use in secondary and post-secondary educational settings. [Text Source: Jesuit Forum for Social Faith and Justice]
“Those of us who have benefited from colonization have a responsibility to address the system that has enriched us [...]. The first step in this process is to listen deeply to what Indigenous Peoples are saying to us.”
