niya:exploring our indigenous identities
“Growing up without my culture, I had these ideas of what it meant to be a real Indian…and to me, to be a real Indian meant adorning: wearing regalia and dancing because it was the only picture I had at that time of culture” (Michelle Brass)
Niya: A photo essay exploring Indigenous identity aims to:
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build intercultural understanding and raise awareness of the diversity of Indigenous peoples in Saskatchewan
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address the task of reconciliation by challenging the narrow stereotypes of Indigenous peoples that are prominent in the dominant culture of our society.
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make space for individuals to assert their expressions of Indigenous identity.
“You don’t look Indigenous”. “There are two kinds of Indians [common term at the time for Indigenous people]: The ones who follow their culture, and drunk bums you see downtown”.
I am Indigenous and of mixed heritage. My paternal side is Ukrainian/Polish, and my maternal side, Métis, Cree, Anishinaabe, and Scottish. I identify strongly as an Indigenous Two-Spirit woman and am very connected with the teachings and cultures of my Indigenous ancestors. I grew up hearing these kinds of statements, and many more, frequently in my community and even within my family.
Because of my appearance, I continuously have my Indigenous identity questioned. Blood quantum is a question that comes up often. In discussions, people see me as someone separate and distinct from the "other" Indigenous people that they speak of.
In our society, narrow stereotypes of Indigenous people are prominent. People see Indigenous people as one of two extremes: either a "bum" with addictions issues who doesn't work and lives off of the government, or else a noble, traditional, subordinate Indigenous person who is adorned in regalia. In reality, there is as much diversity among Indigenous persons as there are among non-Indigenous persons and these stereotypes cause damaging prejudices and perpetuate racism.
These stereotypes are so prominent in the dominant culture that they are sometimes internalized by Indigenous people themselves. Indigenous people have had their cultures and traditions stripped from them as a result of colonization and the residual effects and ongoing processes of colonization have created significant barriers for Indigenous people to explore and form strong, cultural identities. Many Indigenous people, including myself, grow up feeling lost and confused about where we fit as an Indigenous person.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission shed light on the narrow stereotypes that exist in the dominant culture by including the following in the Calls to Action to the media: 85 (i) “to continue to provide leadership in programming and organizational culture that reflects the diverse cultures, languages, and perspectives of Indigenous peoples”.
I see the need for this aspect of reconciliation within my own life. My family often reminds me of the “exact” percentage of Indigenous blood there is in me and that “we are not that Indigenous.” Being Indigenous was not something my family bragged about, and many even completely rejected our Indigenous identity. Going to university at First Nations University, I started to learn about our collective histories as Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples and I began to understand where my family’s rejection of our Indigeneity comes from. The rejection of our Indigenous identity is a result of the internalized colonialism that runs in my family. My grandfather and his parents worked hard to combat the even more oppressive and devasting stereotypes of Indigenous people in their time. I believe that this caused my family to have a deeply engrained sense of shame for being Indigenous people.
I was part of a demonstration of solidarity for the Wet'suwet'en in my home community. We had gathered to raise awareness of Aboriginal land title and the conflict that has been left unresolved by the government in regards to authority over unceded territories between traditional bodies of government and the externally imposed, colonial band-council system. The media reported on our demonstration and we prepared ourselves for the abusive, racist, violent comments we had seen on posts about similar demonstrations in nearby cities. Much to our surprise, we did not receive the type of response we were expecting.
Instead of attacking our cause, our message, or our method of asserting our voices, it was my Indigeneity that was attacked. Several comments were directed at the colour of my skin, the floral pattern on the shawl I was wearing and whether it was a powwow scarf or a Ukrainian shawl, how I seemed "out of place" due to my appearance.
I was shocked at how quickly the conversation turned away from the real issue and focused on whether or not I was "Indian enough" to be out demonstrating in solidarity with other Indigenous people.
Only recently have I come to understand more deeply how much these narrow stereotypes affected me and my ability to explore my Indigenous identity. I wondered if others felt the same way and wanted to explore the subject with more Indigenous people, to gain more perspectives. I believe that challenging the narrow stereotypes of what it means to “look Indigenous” is an important part of reconciliation that will raise awareness of the diversity of Indigenous peoples in Canada, as well as create space for Indigenous people to explore and assert their unique identities, building their sense of belonging.
This project is a collection of contributions from a diverse group of Indigenous. A portrait of each contributor is included to challenge what it means to "look Indigenous". Click on a portrait below to read a little about their experience with identity, stereotypes, and reconciliation.
Throughout my journey to discover and understand who I am, I have learned that identity is not as superficial as the colour of our skin, or what we wear or adorn ourselves with. Our identity is found in our lived values, in our relations with other people and the plants, animals, earth, and all the elements. Our identity is a way of life. A way of being. A way of existing. A way of knowing not only the world around us, but also ourselves.
The assertion of our identities challenges the narrow stereotypes of what it means to “look Indigenous”. By living our truths and asserting our Indigeneity, we are engaging in Indigenous resurgence and promoting reconciliation.
If you are Indigenous and interested in being a part of this project, please contact us as we are always expanding Niya.
Hây-hây.