‘Denying His ‘White’ Roots’

Another Aboriginal racist opinion piece in Canadian mainstream media, written by a self-appointed ‘spokesman’ for Canadian Aboriginals, who, like Pam Palmater and so many others, is mixed-Race, has been fully assimilated into Canadian culture, and has been well-rewarded for it – with no word of thanks. Just another virtue-signalling hypocrite…

“In a lot of my writing, I frequently use the term “settler” in referring to those comprising the dominant society of Canada.

“In another time and age, they might be referred to as ‘white’ people – i.e. the colour-challenged, or people of pallor {Of course, current ‘settlers’ are European, Asian, African, etc., but he sees things through racist lenses}. But in these more politically-correct times, we in the ‘Indigenous’ community prefer “settler”. It sounds more neutral and historically relevant.

{First, you’re not ‘Indigenous’. Your ancestors were ‘Indigenous’ to Mongolia and Siberia. Second, no one nominated you to speak for all Aboriginals.}

“However, some disagree with that title. Not long ago, I received an e-mail from a gentleman named Mike who objects to the term. After several paragraphs on how his Irish family were abused by the English and ended up celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Canada, he adds,

“When writers, almost always ‘Indigenous’, use the term ‘settler’ to describe people like me, I can’t help picking up a tone of, what is it? Bitterness, anger, maybe even submerged hatred. At a minimum, what I sense is passive aggression” {!}.

“He finishes his complaint off by asking me, specifically,

“that you please not refer to people as ‘settlers’ unless they really were ‘settlers’.”

“I mentioned this to some friends and they called it ‘settler fragility’.

{Of course your friends are also racists. Big surprise…}

“Let’s ‘deconstruct’ the argument. Technically, who are these settlers of which we speak? That has been an intense topic of discussion in recent times. For some, its definition is as difficult to pin down as ‘reconciliation’. Some would argue it’s anybody whose ancestors were not a part of this land since Time Immemorial {Which leaves NO ONE!}. Similarly, others might further define settlers as all the non-‘Indigenous’ peoples living in Canada who form the society we live in today, politically, economically and culturally {Which means EVERYONE!}. Basically, if your ancestors came here, and you are enjoying and revelling in the end product of turning ‘Turtle Island’ {A mythological place that doesn’t even exist in most Aboriginal cultures} into Canada, you are a settler. So enjoy your latté and non-fat Greek yogurt.

{Another racist stereotype – the irony being that many Aboriginals also enjoy “latté and non-fat Greek yogurt”.}

“Numerous settlers I have talked with accept and acknowledge that. Many have told me “guilty as charged”, “I’m a settler. It is not an insult, it’s a fact” or “where do I sign up for Settlers Anonymous?” Instead of a 12-step plan, their charter includes the 94 recommendations from the {Partial} ‘Truth and Reconciliation Commission’.

“But let’s face it, not every person walking the streets and roads of Canada can claim the divine right of ‘terra nullius’. If you were brought here, either by physical force (i.e. that all-expense-paid boat trip from Africa) or through intense economic coercion (i.e. come for the railway-building and stay for the racism), you might have a get-out-of-jail-free card.

“Still, is it a nasty, critical moniker? It appears it can be. One person on Twitter reported they got a five-day ban on Facebook for calling somebody a ‘settler’. When you think about it, “settler” seems to be one of the least offensive terms that could be used. Others that have been suggested during a brief and highly unscientific poll I did online (from mostly ‘settlers’ responding {How do you know that?}) include colonizer, occupier, original boat people, squatters, second-generation settlers, beneficiaries of genocidal Canadian ‘Indigenous’ policies, colonial invader, Euro invaders, economic refugees, and my personal favourite, the ‘Second Nation’ people, as opposed to ‘First Nations’. Actually, no, this is my favourite suggestion: the year-round multi-generational campers. It’s kind of a mouthful, but you get the picture.

“Additionally, it would make a hell of a good name for a sports team. I hear a few out there are looking for a new one.

“And I don’t think Mike is alone, although I am puzzled why he wants me, and it seems just me, to stop using the term. Everybody else is okay, I guess. I’m getting used to responses like this. Several weeks ago, I wrote an article about how many ‘First Nations’ {Aboriginal} people find themselves sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. It was just a report on conversations I had with many ‘Indigenous’ people and listing the reasons I had been told.

“The response to the article, some positive but mostly negative, was surprising. I had e-mails from quite a few people telling me that I should tell those same ‘Indigenous’ friends how wrong they are. Several different people, possibly settlers {Your racist assumption}, sent detailed lists breaking down why ‘Indigenous’ people should stay clear of the Palestinian perspective.

“To the settlers of the world – Mike, this includes you – I know many of you may disagree with the argument I have posted, and may find it a little … unsettlering. If you don’t agree, just remember, I earn most of my salary from making things up {That’s obvious!}.

“Additionally, we could spend the next pandemic playing the “what if …” game: i.e. “what if my ancestors fled in religious terror and found themselves in Canada because they weren’t allowed into … let’s say Monaco?” As of yet, I can’t answer those. But I am currently putting together a detailed chart that should be able to answer all those questions.”

–‘For some, the definition of ‘settler’ is as difficult to pin down as reconciliation’,

Drew Hayden Taylor, TORONTO GLOBE AND MAIL, JULY 20, 2021

Updated JULY 21, 2021

(Drew Hayden Taylor is a mix of Canadian Anishnawbe and Caucasian ‘settlers’)

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/article-for-some-the-definition-of-settler-is-as-difficult-to-pin-down-as/

COMMENTS: “Mr. Taylor is a ‘settler’, as well. He seems to have settled for using English names.”

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“So many indigenous people have “settler” blood in them or are married to “settlers” that it is a meaningless term. But whatever makes you feel better.”

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“The term ‘settler’ is offensive even if you don’t see it that way. How about just referring to us as what we are? That would be Canadians.”

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“’Indigenous’ Peoples were displacing each other long before Europeans showed up.”

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“All homo sapiens living on this land mass are ‘settlers’. It’s only a question of when.”

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“Did the first groups to arrive brand the later ‘indigenous’ arrivals as Johnny-come-lately ‘settlers’? Drop the patronizing tone — ‘First Nations’ were also ‘settlers’, yes, even the first to arrive.”

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“Well, DHT’s ancestors came here – some from Europe and some from elsewhere – so DHT is a ‘settler’. Enjoy your latté, DHT.”

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“Being half ‘Indigenous’ and half “settler“, he doesn’t really have a dog in this fight.”

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“People need labels so they can identify others by group. Racism is a spectrum disorder that begins with everyone having an instinctive preference for the sight, sound and smell of “home“. Next comes the need to label people to identify “me” versus “other“. From there, the ramp goes up to a sensitivity to perceived benefits given to “other“, and actively seeking to avoid or suppress others.”

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“Europeans were trying to reach India and that is how they came to call them Indians. A very funny Chief in the USA wrote that ,”at least they were not searching for Turkey as that would not have ended well“……….I thought that was hilarious.”

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“Given that so-called ‘first nations’ people came to North America from elsewhere, they too may be referred to as ‘settlers’ or multi-generational campers. As you are undoubtedly aware, land has changed hands since time immemorial as historically, tribal groups have practiced predation on one another at one time or other, taking land and resources and slaves in the process during which many, many human beings suffered. You, sir, have no claim to moral superiority. And your invective-filled harangues are not an indication of any desire on your part for reconciliation. On the contrary…”

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“Calling people names is not usually considered a good way to get them onside with your cause. The willingness of this author to do so suggests he is more concerned with furthering his own self-interest as an attention grabbing commentator on such issues than attempting to resolve the issues themselves.”

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“How’d the author get blonde hair?”

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“… And — this is my personal preference — I do not like the word ‘settlers’. I don’t consider you a ‘settler’ — you’re a neighbour. We have a word in Cree that means “all our relations” — ‘wahkôhtiwin’. There was a time when there was such a thing as ‘settlers’, but people today aren’t ‘settlers’. I find it sort of semi-offensive in a way to call someone a ‘settler’. There are some groups that call themselves ‘settler’ organizations, and I don’t know why they do that. I don’t know why that would make them feel good — it doesn’t make me feel good, I’ll tell you that.”

https://thehumm.com/online/article.cfm?articleid=2880

See also:

‘I Am a Metis Woman’ {July 9, 2019}:

“I am a Metis woman. A half breed. What is called a “road allowance Indian“. Too white for the rez and too dark for the suburbs. My ancestors, my family, did not fight and suffer for me to have a good life so that I may scream “racism” every time someone looks me down. My father faced extreme racism and he didn’t let it get to him, he busted his ass to make it better so we could have better…”

http://endracebasedlaw.com/2019/07/09/i-am-a-metis-woman/