I recently had an opportunity to listen to a First American from
Canada give a speech and he made a similar argument. He argued
that any public / private decision should be made considering at
least 7 generations down the road.
I guess my western Canada ears picked up on a subtle, but important
distinction in this anecdote. i respond here, knowing that no disrespect
was intended.
in BC, Canada we are learning to be careful to call "first American" people
"First Nations " or refer to the actual nation of the people, - although
these terms are still under discussion - just as we say, French, Swiss,
Italian, etc. it's a steep new learning curve about a subtle distinction
about origins and place - since "america" is a recent socio/cultural
geographical invention, temporally speaking, probably not pre-dating the
obligatory seven generations refered to by the elder. also in some parts
of Canada - with a more recent colonial history, particularly the NWT and
more locally for me, in BC, - First Nation's people are sovereign nations
in their own territories becaue they never ceded their lands through
treaties. (Right now BC's provincial legislative assembly is currently in
the process of ratifying the Nisga'a treaty which has been in active
dispute since 1887. Nisga'a have lived int their traditional lands for
upwards of 6000 years, and we are facing similar treaty negotitions with 49
First nations groups in B.C.)
When we have first NAtions scholars address our University (located in
British Columbia) - we sometimes participate in a ritual greeting which
acknowledges territorial boundaries of the soverign nation whose land we
are occupying ( in the case of Simon Fraser university it is located within
the territory of the Burrard people). The person addressing us makes note
of their nation - and respectfully acknowledges that they are now in the
territory of the Burrard people.
Tricky stuff our colonial hangover. Our country is now facing a new
relationship with First nations people, and we will enter the new
Millenium in a re-negotiated status. Lots of angst - lots of possibilties
- lots of learning.
kathryn ( a paltry second generation irish/scot canadian)
"science does not vanquish mystery" Annie Dillard "Pilgrim at Tinker Creek"
*****************************
Kathryn Alexander, email ...... kalexand who-is-at sfu.ca
Doctoral Candidate, FAX .........(604) 291 - 3203
Faculty of Education, SFU(message).....(604) 291- 3395
Simon Fraser University,
Burnaby, B.C. V5A 1S6