I have a question regarding the “Stolen Native land” slogan used by opponents of the Vancouver Olympic Games.
I do not hold native status, but I am a Canadian citizen, as are both of my parents. I grew up in Ucluelet on Nuu-cha-nulth land; I have worked in Tsimshian, Heiltsuk and Haida water, and I go to school on Coast Salish territory.
I live, work and go to school on stolen land. My father is a commercial fisherman. He works up and down the coast on stolen native water. Everything I am is stolen.
So where do I fit?
What about who I am? I am 22; I was not part of the potlatch ban (1884-1951) or the Residential schools that existed until the 1980’s.
I am deeply ashamed of the genocide that was committed by the Canadian government and the ongoing repercussions from it.
But I have to ask: where do I belong?
The land I grew up on, work on, and go to school on was stolen from the Nuu-cha-nulth, Tsimshian, Heiltsuk, Haida or Coast Salish. This leaves me wondering, where should I call home? I am fairly certain Europe will not take me back. Should I have to be a refugee in this country and in this world because of the atrocities committed by the people who came before me?
Furthermore, this issue should not be about the Olympics. The native land claims should always be on the forefront of public discourse. This leads to the next question: how is this anti-Olympic slogan aiding the Native Land claims?
Is it really effective to yell a slogan, wave a sign, impede traffic, or dress in a zombie costume? Doesn’t using “Stolen Native Land” as a slogan for a protest movement against a sporting event degrade and minimize this profound issue?
Will the negative attention hinder progress and effect how people perceive Native land claims for years to come?
Is this slogan proving to be an effective method of promoting awareness for the First Nations People? Maybe we should stop, listen, breathe, put things back into perspective.
Finally, I ask: where will we meet when the Olympics are over and the issues remain?
Will you walk away because all of the excitement has passed and your fame has subsided?
Will you pick up on the next “trendy” social issue, maybe Tibet, abortion rights, AIDS in Africa, or the war in Iraq?
Or will you stay and finish what you started? Will you work towards trying to make our country and our world a better place for everyone?
Thank you Gwen Donaldson. I challenge you and anyone who would like the answers to your questions to get fully educated on the history of relationship between the government and the Aboriginal populations. We all heard about residential school, land claims but if only the education was brought in whole and not pieces maybe other citizens would understand the unattainable process of identity rights. The protocol for dispute resolution is not effective and it is the Aboriginal population that is literally suffering. I believe these "Stolen Land" signs are for the public to question the government and bring these issues to the table. The government is able to suppress the voices of -4% of the Canadian population that is Aboriginal but maybe if more Canadians like yourself demanded dispute resolutions for historical claims then Aboriginal would not have to offend the general public with what their struggle is...
It's an interesting question. "NO OLYMPICS ON STOLEN LAND". I guess they're happy with SOME things on stolen native land, just not things they disapprove of.
Anna, Thank you for your comment. I am quite uneducated about Aboriginal historical claims. If you don't mind, how can I get involved?
The problem is very simple and it is obvious from the argument presented in this opinion piece. It is not only that the land 'was' stolen, but this is an ongoing colonial process. As citizens of Canada, we are still empowering our Elders (legislators and judges etc) to sustain a process of systemic colonialism that continues to deny the Indigenous Peoples of BC (and elsewhere) their ownership and ways of life.
'Stolen Land' is not something that happened, but it is ongoing. Holding an International event on these lands when the BC and Canadian government have no legal right (most of BC is unceded land) is smug at best.
As settlers living, working and studying on stolen land, we have an obligation to right our wrongs and stand on the side of morality, that is, the side of justice.
From listening to what many Indigenous communities are saying, it is clear that there is room for all of us to live a just and mutually obligatory life together. There is much that settlers could do if we would only find the political will to stand against the contemporary colonial governmentality of the Settler Society in Canada.
Great Article, Gwen.
The goofy, self-righteous, middle-class white people who glory in the slogan "No Olympics on Stolen Native Land" have probably never even met a "native", or seen a real reserve.
Seems to me some First Nations support the Olympics, and some oppose.
Those vandalizing public property with those silly "Stolen Native Land" stickers are likely all unemployed white kids from middle-class families who, as I said, have never even seen a real reserve.
Wouldn't our tax dollars be better spent on, say, dealing with the 150 boil water advisories here in B.C.(mostly on reserves) than on cleaning up anti-Olympics vandalism?
Joshua, you are exactly right in saying that this is an ongoing issue. The dominant Euro-Canadian culture continues to try to colonize the Aboriginal peoples of Canada, including First Nations, Metis, and Inuit. This is occurring in our lifetime, and is likely to continue well into our lifetimes, and probably our children's.
The last government-run residential school (Gordon Residential School in Saskatchewan) closed in 1996. That was fourteen years ago, when every student who is currently attending UVic was of school age or had already graduated from high school.
By including necessary recognition of First Nations Land title in the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, the IOC demonstrated to the world appropriate cultural protocol. This was part of the original agreement between the IOC and the four host nations, but it was carried out respectfully. This is the first of many steps that can and must be taken by our governments - federal, provincial, and municipal - and ourselves.
Find out where you are. Who lived here? Who lives here? What languages were spoken and how many are still spoken today? Honour and respect the land that we now share, however it was acquired, and recognize that if your ancestry is not from here that you are a visitor.
I am honoured to be welcomed as a visitor on the various Coast Salish territories where I live, work, and play every day.
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