I have a confession to make.  I have always been fascinated by Indigenous culture and the idea of living in harmony with the earth and all its creatures.  When I was younger, I read books like Lily of the Mohawks and I Heard the Owl Call My Name.  Dances with Wolves is still one of my favourite movies – and unbearably sad.  I used to dream about living in the woods, surrounded by the scent of pine and fir and spruce.  However, I didn’t take into account the prevalence of mosquitoes in this particular dream (or the predatory animals!).

            I have great respect for the Indigenous elders and knowledge keepers that I have met, and I share their respect for the earth and all its creatures.  I have appreciated learning from my Anglican brothers and sisters who are both Indigenous and clergy.  I also had the privilege of learning from some friends who are part of the Maori people in Aotearoa New Zealand.

            At the same time, I am very aware of the stereotypes of Indigenous people that continue to be perpetuated:  the “drunken Indian” and “lazy bums,” among others.  In many communities, it is like a self-fulfilling prophecy.  Those who have been told that they are worthless keep on doing things that prove it to themselves.  It is easy for us to forget that it was settlers who introduced alcohol to the First Nations – and gave them even more when they saw how easily they became addicted.

            These days, those who are Indigenous continue to deal with racism and stereotypes.  Some are followed around by security guards whenever they go into a store.  Many have racial slurs hurled at them whenever they are out in public – or when they hit the ice.  Indigenous women are considered to be a prize of some sort by some – but then they are treated like garbage and thrown away.  It is an uphill battle for many Indigenous people when they try to better themselves or seek to enter certain professions.

            Meanwhile, those of us who are settlers are slow to learn about things from an Indigenous perspective.  I have often heard the comment, in the wake of lawsuits or apologies, “when will it ever be enough?”  I have also heard people say that they don’t like the land acknowledgment because it makes them feel bad (the song “Stolen Land” comes to mind).  Hence, a few things to consider:

            What would be enough for you if your children had been taken away from you and sent off to school, where they died?  What would be enough to compensate you for losing your home and being moved to a moldy house on some swamp land?  What would be enough to make up for years of broken treaties, ignored land claims, and systemic racism?

            As for acknowledging the land, it is a simple act of respect for the First Nations of this land, which is based on their history.  Whenever people from different tribes would visit one another, they would always begin their gathering by acknowledging the territory on which they were meeting.  When we do the same, we are respecting the tradition of the people of this land.

            As followers of Jesus, we are called to treat all people with respect and as precious children of God.  This includes our Indigenous brothers and sisters – as well as all others who come from a different culture.  “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you” (Mt. 7:12).  May we continue to learn from one another – and from Jesus.

            In Christ,

            Pastor Lynne Hutchison