Broken Promises: A Struggle For A Diverse and Equitable World

Today, in 2021, in one of the most developed and wealthiest countries in the world, 61 Indigenous communities across the country are still living without clean drinking water. Would non-Indigenous Canadians like you and me accept not having access to clean drinking water – the most basic necessity of life? We would not! So, how do we expect Indigenous Peoples to accept it?

For far too long, Canadian policies and institutions have systemically oppressed Indigenous Peoples across the country. The issues that we, as non-indigenous people, so conveniently label as “Indigenous Issues” are issues of lacking basic human rights. A lack of opportunity, right to self-determination, sleeping in a safe space, having access to clean drinking water, not living in fear of losing one’s children, and not going missing or murdered for being Indigenous, among others.

Anti-Indigenous racism exists. Don’t think to yourself that it doesn’t.

“This lack of understanding and lack of willingness to try and create an awareness and self-education is what is incredibly frustrating in 2021,” shares Mumilaaq Qaqqaq, former Member of Parliament from Nunavut. Mumilaaq was the keynote speaker at Capacity Canada’s three-day Board Governance BootCamp held on December 2, 3 and 4 this year.

Mumilaaq has been advocating for real change and continues to seek allies and fight against the “elimination of the Indian problem,” as most refer to the oppression faced by Indigenous Peoples.

Speaking at the BootCamp, which revolved around the theme – Transforming Governance: Preparing your Board for Diversity, Mumilaaq encouraged those who are allies and want to be allies to stop asking Indigenous Peoples what to do. “An ally should never ask what they can be doing; we are way beyond that point. Resources are available out there. Instead, we as Indigenous People should ask – what can you be doing as an ally,” she said. Adding that those attending this year’s BootCamp want to do better and know what’s required to be done, which is why they are here. “You are all here because you want to be better allies.”

Mumilaaq urged those present at the event to become self-aware and understand the different experiences people have. “We have the world on our fingertips with our devices. Then why is there a lack of education and self-awareness,” she questioned.

Talking about the barriers in place, Mumilaaq referred to the high number of suicides in Nunavut. “During my tenure as an MP, I have had people come to me every single day who have lost someone close to them to suicide,” she said. According to a study published in 2013, the rate of death by suicide among Inuit in Nunavut has increased over the past three decades. With just over 120 per 100,000 people, this is ten times more than the Canadian suicide rate!

According to the 2016 Census, 52.2% of children in foster care under 14 years of age are Indigenous. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the foster care system has replaced the residential school system.

The legacy of colonialism, multi-generational trauma stemming from the impact of the residential school system, and the ongoing systemic racism act as barriers that are an indicator of the unequal society we live in. These issues of basic human rights have caused Indigenous Peoples to stay oppressed. The trauma and abuse suffered by hundreds of Indigenous Peoples have resulted in mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. All of these stem from the history of abuse and oppression that has been well documented.

We are well aware that the Canadian system is not built for Indigenous Peoples. As allies, it’s our responsibility to identify these barriers that have been put in place to keep Indigenous Peoples out and break these barriers to make our boards and our organizations inclusive and diverse.

However, hiring people and volunteers from diverse backgrounds should not just show you have a diverse workforce. To be actually inclusive and diverse means to unlearn your own biases and truly accept and understand that every person is different and so are their life experiences. “The burden of fitting into an organization should not fall on the Indigenous person,” says Mumilaaq.

“Often in Canada, when we talk about the multi-generational trauma suffered by our communities because of the systems in place by the government, they are referred to as Indigenous issues. These are not Indigenous issues. It’s an issue because systems were created in Canada to oppress Indigenous Peoples. And our people have been forced to live in these systems,” she added.

“It’s important to understand that Indigenous Peoples are not trying to seek revenge, but instead reaching for equity. All we are demanding is basic human rights.”

Mumilaaq recently chose not to seek re-election, citing institutional racism in the Parliament. She will, however, continue in her position till the end of her term. In her powerful farewell speech at the House of Commons, she pointed at the multiple incidents of racial profiling by security while also raising the issue of Indigenous children being forced into foster care, calling the practice “the new residential school system.”

This year’s Board Governance BootCamp invited speakers from diverse backgrounds. It included Indigenous, Black and Muslim speakers who shed light on racism and decolonization. The BootCamp offered insights and learning into becoming a diverse and equitable board. Several sessions were offered during the three-day virtual event, including those led by Mumilaaq Qaqqaq, Denise Baxter Vice-Provost, Indigenous Initiatives at Lakehead University, and Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, who has served as Vice-Provost for Indigenous Initiatives at Lakehead University. Wayne Garnons-Williams, Capacity Canada Board Member, Karen Spencer, CEO, and Christopher Goss, Board Chair of the FACS Waterloo, also presented a case study on FACA Waterloo’s ongoing efforts related to Indigenous families in the Waterloo Region and the agency’s plans to change.

To access information and resources on how to be an ally and learn more about the systemic racism faced by the Indigenous Peoples in Canada, please visit the website – National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

Capacity Canada’s work with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is supported by Manulife, Suncor Energy Foundation, and Lyle S. Hallman Foundation. We are also a proud member of the 50-30 Challenge, a Government of Canada initiative to improve access for women, racialized persons including Black Canadians, people who identify as LGBTQ2, persons living with disabilities, as well as First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples to positions of influence and leadership on corporate boards and in senior management.