Can we learn to listen to one another effectively?

I have received a copy of this column by Paul Schneiderit of The Chronicle Herald online, Halifax, N.S., Nov. 16/1o.

FROM: http://thechronicleherald.ca/Opinion/1212257.html

Herewith, some quick thoughts.

It would appear that, if Blatchford’s book is racist, that means it is “racist” against “Indians”, since she writes of police action or inaction in and around Six Nations. So were there “Indians” preventing Blatchford from being heard? Or were they “non-Indians” in support of “Indian” issues and concerns, or of other concerns?

And then I would ask: were those protesters speaking for themselves, or for “Indians”? This is important to me, because I have spent half my life trying to learn how to listen to First Nations, Metis and Inuit sisters and brothers. The First Peoples of this part of Turtle Island are perfectly capable of speaking for themselves. If First Peoples want us to stand and speak with them, we can and should do that, but I don’t think we should speak “for” First Peoples. So did the protesters consult with any First Peoples before they began to engage in their protest at Waterloo University? On whose behalf, besides themselves, were they actually speaking?

And then there is another question: did Waterloo University officials consult with the First Peoples located within their establishment? Did they seek the opinion and advice of those First Peoples? In other words, how is the University of Waterloo showing the world that it is standing in solidarity with the First Peoples colleagues in its midst? And if this thought didn’t occur to anyone up to this point, is is possible that the University administration people will sit down with those First Peoples colleagues within their community, to discuss how to handle this type of event, should it happen again?

Or are Waterloo University officials still trying to work through their relationship with their First Peoples colleagues, and since they have not yet reached a meeting of minds, they thought it would be better to give in to the protesters, rather than appear to be “anti-Indian”? So I would like to hear from the First Peoples who are part of the university establishment. What are their opinions, ideas, concerns?

I think Christie Blatchford’s book may offer us an opportunity to sit down together, First Peoples (especially from Six Nations) and the Rest of Us, to begin to talk about what exactly we are trying to accomplish in our current relationship as it is manifesting itself in the territory of the Six Nations of the Grand River. This is what the Government of Canada should have been doing from the beginning – in our name, as our elected representatives - but since it hasn’t, maybe we, the people, can begin that process of listening to one another – effectively listening – towards learning the truth of our shared history.

Is it possible that Christie Blatchford would be willing to appear on a stage with a member of the Six Nations community to begin such a listening process? Because that’s what missing. We are not listening effectively to one another. Or so it seems to me.

Thanks for listening.

Jean Koning.