I receive many emails from readers who want to know what they can do to work towards reconciliation, build relationships and, more than anything, show support to Indigenous people.
In my work in Indigenous relations, I have seen time and time again situations where non-Indigenous people are scared to make mistakes, and sometimes that fear stops them.
In every situation where we are outside our comfort zones, there is going to be a fear of making mistakes. It does not matter if it is with a different culture, different sector, or anything else we may be unfamiliar with.
From my experience, when people are making an effort with good, honest intentions, it will be well received. I have made many mistakes working with Indigenous communities, and I have been corrected many times. Each time I learn something, and I can take that knowledge to do better.
I always suggest that before anyone engages with Indigenous communities, they should ask themselves: “Why am I engaging?” “What am I hoping to achieve?” and “Is this mutually beneficial for everyone involved?”
Sometimes taking this step may be uncomfortable, but all growth occurs out of our comfort zones.
Pre-pandemic, I attended a Tribal Journeys event at Beecher Bay First Nation. Premier John Horgan attended and paddled from T’Sou-ke Nation to Beecher Bay. In the evening, all the guests from neighbouring nations attended the event in the Big House.
The youth of Beecher Bay were in the centre of the floor ready to sing for their guests. My daughter has been a member of the drum group for years, and we joined them on the floor to sing.
Horgan brought his drum because he was invited to sing with them and he knew some of their songs.
After a few songs, they asked if anyone in the audience was having a birthday. One gentlemen put up his hand. The children then said they would sing him Happy Birthday in Hul’qumi’num, a Coast Salish language.
Horgan turned to me and whispered in my ear: “Charla, I don’t know the words in Hul’qumi’num.”
I don’t speak Hul’qumi’num, but I did my best to teach him the words and then he repeated them back to me.
Moments later, we began to sing.
Horgan played his drum loudly and sang the words he’d just learned in a loud voice. I know he must have been uncomfortable, but I was personally very impressed with this willingness to participate and the respect he showed.
When the drum group had cleared the floor, the gentleman whose birthday it was approached Horgan off to the side and said: “Never in a hundred years would I ever imagine a premier would sing me Happy Birthday. And never in a hundred years would I imagine a premier would sing me Happy Birthday in my language, in my big house.”
This is one of my favourite stories and I share it often. It demonstrates how stepping out of your comfort zone can have positive impacts on others. This is far more valuable that avoiding some personal discomfort.
I know the story and Horgan’s actions have affected many more people than the gentleman whose birthday it was.
I hope that sharing this story encourages others to do the same.
charla@makola.bc.ca
