Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Panel Presentation at Pre-Gathering of Elders – Enweying< Trent University, Peterborough – Feb. 27/15





Boozhoo.  Aanii.
Jean ndi-zhinikaaz.
Windsor ndoo-njibaa.
Peterborough megwaa ndoo-daa.
Zhaaginaashii-kwe ndaaw.
Gchi-gbeying ngii-wiiji-mosemaag Nishinaabeg.
Ndoo- gjitoon waa-zhi Nishnaabemyaanh.
Aapiji go ngchi-nendam miinwaa waabminaa. 

I introduce myself in the Ojibwe language to honour the Anishinaabekwewag who have been willing to teach me their beautiful language, beginning with Elder Rose Peltier who gave me my first Odawa lessons in Wikwemikong almost 50 years ago.  And now, since coming to P’boro 11 years ago, I have been happy to be able to meet her grand-nephew, Beedahbun, who lives and works here.  And that is but a small part of the story of how the circle of my life continues to bring me happy memories of the past.

There are many things I could tell you about the past half-century during which I have been walking in solidarity with the First Peoples, and how long it has taken me to reach my current understanding of the meaning of my relationship with First Peoples brother and sisters, but I shall speak of only one experience.

Until I stopped driving about five years ago, I spent a lot of hours in my car, which I always found was a good time to think.  One day, I was thinking about how much time I have spent with First Peoples.  I thought of how sorry I am about the devastating effects that my church and my governments have had on their lives; of how I have tried to show that I am sorry by standing with them, and speaking out for justice on their behalf; of trying to help my people to understand just how badly damaged is the relationship between us. 
And as I thought about all this, I suddenly had an “aha” moment. 

I thought: But why do I think that I have to be the one to fix things?  Why do I think that I have to be the one who cares for others by taking the lead, and telling other people what to do?  If there is one thing I have learned during the years I have been in relationship with First Peoples – and more importantly – the years when they have allowed me to be in relationship with them – it is that the First Peoples are totally capable of caring for themselves.  They have leaders among them who have so much knowledge, so much experience, and so much wisdom that has been handed down to them from their Elders – they have everything it takes to give leadership to their people – and more than that, they have the ability to give leadership to me and to my people.

Now many of you may think that this is a no-brainer, but I admit that to me, it was a revelation.  Maybe it comes from being the eldest in a family of four children, used to assuming leadership in that small community.  Or maybe I’m just a slow learner, which I know in many ways I am.  I’m still trying to learn how to manage my computer – not to mention learning how to speak in Ojibwe.

But for me, that moment was a turning point in my life.  Since then, especially when I am in meetings where First Peoples are present, I am remembering to say to myself: Okay, Koning, keep quiet and listen.  What are the First Peoples saying?  How are they offering to take the leadership role?  And can I put myself in the position of being willing to accept that leadership?

It has offered me a whole new way of life!  But – and again I have to ask for mercy here – that role does not come easy to a privileged white woman like me who has so often assumed a leadership role whether I was asked to or not.  My British ancestry hasn’t helped, either – my Victorian grandmother imparted to my child’s mind a lot of the “Rule, Britannia” history that she grew up with. 

But I believe that this is one of the most important insights from my experience I can share with you today.  But for some of us – like me – it may have to be an intellectual exercise – one that we have to go through in our minds before it can reach our hearts.  But when you get to that point, you will then be able to join in the Water Walks or Idle No More events to appreciate the way in which First Peoples are offering us leadership across Canada – going out among the people in the streets and shopping malls, and even at blockades and in protest marches - to sing and dance and to offer the hand of friendship that will allow us all to join the Circle – to restore health to Mother Earth and to one another.

I pray that you will not have to take as long as I have, to reach your place in that Circle.

Thanks for listening.

Jean Koning.