When I Listen, I Learn that Dismantling Colonizing Structures & Educating Other Settlers are Primary

by Elizabeth Carlson-Manathara, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON

1. Tell us about yourself in relation to the TRC and Decolonization?

As a non-Indigenous person, or settler, living on Indigenous lands occupied by the Canadian state, I have a particular relationship with both the TRC and with Decolonization. One reason that residential school survivors have been doing the painful work of telling their stories is to inspire change in Canada and Canadians. I have a responsibility to listen to these stories and to carry out the TRC Calls to Action. But there’s more. When hearing and reading the survivor stories of the TRC, settlers may be tempted to think of the perpetrators of residential schools as different from us, as monsters of the past. But the truth is that we likely carry, from our socialization, some of the ideologies that undergirded residential schools. Therefore, as a settler, I am also responsible for becoming aware of, and rooting out colonial ways of thinking, being, and doing that exist within me and within Canadian society.

As part of the colonizing group, I believe I also have a particular responsibility to work toward decolonization. First, it is vital that I listen deeply to Indigenous peoples regarding their visions for decolonization in order to ensure I am supporting these. When I listen, I learn that dismantling colonizing structures and educating other settlers are primary areas of opportunity for non-Indigenous peoples. Another opportunity is to address the land theft basic to colonialism by supporting and taking part in #LANDBACK efforts and actions.

2. What message about being an ally would you like to share and why is it important?

I believe there are some pitfalls to the idea of being an ally when it comes to non-Indigenous peoples who wish to work in solidarity with Indigenous communities. Ally is often used as a noun or as a status. Non-Indigenous peoples may declare themselves allies and believe they have arrived at this status even when Indigenous peoples do not find their actions to be helpful. I don’t focus on being an ally. Instead, I have learned that it is more important that I am doing work, in conversation with Indigenous communities and peoples, that fits with their visions of decolonization. I endeavour to work from the framework of living in Indigenous sovereignty, which I understand as living in accordance with an awareness that we are on Indigenous lands containing their own protocols, laws, stories, relationships, obligations, and opportunities, which have been understood and practised by Indigenous peoples since time immemorial. My focus, therefore, is respecting and fitting within Indigenous law and entering into a network of caring relationships with Indigenous peoples and lands.

3. Why does what you do matter to women and girl power?

It has been my observation that both Indigenous and non-Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQ+ peoples have done some of the heaviest liftings when it comes to decolonization. Sometimes this work is visible, and often it is not. I have a lot of respect for these folks and the deep, inspiring change work they embody. I honour and continue to learn from them.

Other links for Liz Carlson: Film Project website: storiesofdecolonization.org, Twitter @LizCarlson77, Book Living in Indigenous sovereignty: https://fernwoodpublishing.ca/book/living-in-indigenous-sovereignty