Being an Ally

Being an ally is an important step to help with the inclusion of Indigneous people in Canada. Being an ally can be identified “as a lifelong process of building relationships based on trust, consistency and accountability” (Anti-Oppression Network, 2020) with Indigenous people. Also, it is based on two important characteristics, which are: have a natural desire to support social justice, as well as establishing meaningful relationships with people and communities who come from non-dominant groups (Puckett, 2015).

An important step towards being an ally is recognizing and learning about the historical and current oppression that many Indigenous people in Canada face (Build together, 2020). The impacts of them are prevalent today, and place many Indigneous people in socially disparate places in society. Please see the residential schools & impacts section of this website. It is important to note that experiences, cultures and opinions may vary from one Indigenous person to another to another.

Below are other ways to non-Indigenous people can become allies:

Listen, Learn about the history from an Indigenous lense.
Understand the initial relationship between Indigneous people and the settlers, and about treaties. Please see the treaty section of this website.
Identify the territory you are in, the local indigneous communities, and if possible how to greet people in their language.
Learn about oppression and privilege and what it means to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada (Puckett, 2015)
Attend & engage in Indigenous activities, but at the same time be aware of the space you are taking up and be present in a supportive role (Amnesty, 2019)
Complete a course on Indigenous people in Canada, such as the free online MOOC 12 Lesson offered by the U of A (https://www.coursera.org/learn/indigenous-canada), or participate in the blanket exercise.
Listen to Indigenous voices. Attend local speaker series, Listen to podcasts, videos or read articles about Indigenous people in Canada. Please ensure your sources are from Indigenous people.
Seek out cultural advice and consent particularly around spiritual or cultural holidays or events (Amnesty, 2019), such as National Indigenous Peoples Day, Alberta Culture days, etc.
Actively avoid cultural appropriation practices. Cultural appropriation is acquiring and using intellectual property, culture, artifacts without their permission.
Combat racist & stereotypical views and comments about Indigenous people (Huffington post, 2019).
Actively include Indigenous people in conversations, spaces, meetings, and our actions (Anti Oppression Network, 2020).

The journey forward of being an ally may inevitably include mistakes. However, it is an opportunity to learn from them, and remind yourself they will happen. Furthermore, the journey forward will include risks and ‘out of the box’ experiences and opportunities that may be both very positive and/or uncomfortable. Such as learning a new Indigenous teaching or experience, or having to encounter and resist racial remarks or attitudes. However, the entire process can be a very transformative process to both oneself, and for Indigenous people around you. It is much based on unlearning and relearning (Snowball, 2014). In closing, becoming an ally is a very integral process and important journey for the inclusion of Indigenous people in Canada. And, even one person can make a difference.

Empowering the Spirit. Starting your Journey from: http://empoweringthespirit.ca/starting-your-journey/
Read the article Indigenous allyship: An overview and use the resources they provide at the end of their article. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317181981_Indigenous_allyship_An_overview
Aboriginal Education for non-Aboriginal Learners: Engaging Teacher Candidates in an immersive cultural experience by Andrew Snowball