In Native Studies class, a friend who was part Cree and part 'nish called us Canindians after a discussion on naming. It was a laugh, but also a bit depressing.
The Native Studies department has since undergone it's own re-naming and is now known as the Indigenous Studies program. This type of program has also been known as Aboriginal studies, Indian studies, and First Nations Studies. Don't get me started on the various band names, clan names, non-Native references, and original language meanings of the types of people that take part in such a program. Native Studies starts off confusing simply trying to get who's whom straight. I've got a piece of paper from that department at a BA level, and I wonder if it was really worth the over 50 grand spent. I wonder how many other students have graduated from a program that has undergone so many name changes and for what benefit?
It was worth it from a personal perspective. I've learned a shitload about the history of Indians, and I think the trick the whole time was to confuse us with proper naming and re-naming. Keep 'em busy with nonsense and we can 'modify' more paperwork.
"Might Makes Right" was a topic that came up often. Does sheer number and force make it all right to anhillate and oppress, to implement laws that supercede previous ones, to control, dominate and exterminate throughout time?
I wonder if the Native community continues to grow at such a quick rate, and if our numbers begin to challege the current majority if it will make a difference? What if we were to reclaim what was once stolen all for the likes of progress and continuation of 'civilization'? If continued stalling within the claims process continues, and more occurences like Oka and Caledonia spring up in response, how long before the big guns are drawn once again?
I really think that those who believe that we should just lie down and put the past behind us and become equal Canadians are asking way too much. It's bad enough what has happened, but to give up the rights that we have that separate us from Canadians was done by the dominant society for a reason. And as negative as some of those changes have been, to give up this distinction will end in taking away more for following generations. Hegemony is not something to strive for, it's something to fight against.
And we are fighting that battle even now. As regulations become more tightly controlled, the assimilation battle is being fought though paperwork. Land claims and settlements, subtraction of waterfront properties due to natural water level decline, proof of bloodline to determine status... it's only us and the dogs and horses that have to prove themselves by blood.
Oh, I could go on and on... and more of us should. Education that was promised and is still being fought for illustrates all these points and more, more clearly than I can do in a brief tirade on injustice.
Learn.