THE TIME HAS COME -

Yes, the time has come for me to shift gears in my blogging career.

I began this effort as a continuation of my "work", as I have thought of it, to try to tell my fellow settler/newcomer, fellow Canadian citizens that "The First Peoples have some very important things to say to us, and we must learn to listen to them."

For about 50 years, I have been trying to put out this message to anyone who would listen, not trying to "speak for" First Peoples, for that is not necessary; there are many First Peoples who are extremely capable of speaking for themselves, but to say to my people that we must learn to listen..

Over the years, I began to realize that speaking out doesn't have any meaning unless you have hearers who will listen to your words, receive and think about the message so received, and then begin to act on what has been heard - even if "action" means simply trying to comprehend what was said. 

But two years ago, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its final report, containing 94 Calls to Action.  Since then I have observed a change in my fellow Canadians, as we begin to become aware of the fact that there seems to be a history of a relationship between First Peoples and The Rest of Us (that's you and me), about which we know nothing - or whatever we thought we knew is not the way the First Peoples viewed our co-habitation in this part of Turtle Island we call "Canada".

The result of that new, growing, awareness is causing many of us to begin to think about what we seemed not to know, and there are varying degrees of desire on the part of many of us to begin to think that maybe we should try to find out more.

Thus I see my "work" changing.

Now, I am beginning to have individual persons approach me to say:  Jean, I've never really known anything about "Indians" (or whatever other word they use to describe the people that I call "First Peoples", by which I mean anyone who identifies him/herself to me as "First Peoples" or "Indigenous" or First Nations, Inuit, or Metis, living either on an "Indian Reserve" (as designated by the Indian Act) or "off-reserve", often as our neighbours in towns and cities and in rural areas.


And what I have just written here can be challenged by the same First Peoples I am trying to identify, so I simply emphasize the point I am making for myself; i.e., any person who identifies him or herself to me as one of the original inhabitants of the land in which I have been living for most of my life, I accept as a First Peoples person.

But I digress.  You are saying to me that you think I may have information to share with you.

And I hasten to add that I am more than happy to receive such requests for information, especially as some come from people who have been near and dear to me for many years, or have recently become dear friends, so that is both an honour and a privilege for me to be so approached.

But, as you know, I am getting old, and my energy level is falling - it's not yet gone totally, but I find I do have to conserve energy (which I've never been good at doing, since I love being involved with people), so... but I hope you get the idea.

Thus I am thinking of a new way forward, and I do not yet know what that will be.

Perhaps a new blog, with a new theme to reflect this new reality.  Or perhaps the decision will be made for me, in ways that I do not yet know.

Meanwhile, please know that I have enjoyed writing this blogging effort, amateurish as it is - but more importantly, I have appreciated your interest in reading, and sometimes commenting, on this same effort.

My wish for you is that, if you have now begun to learn about the First Peoples, you will not stop your learning, but that you will benefit, as I have through this past half-century, through the relationships you may be able to enter into with the First Peoples, sharing respect, justice, peace, and friendship, unto the Seventh Generation.  And, if it is possible, I am glad to help with that.

Kaa waab min, farewell, and every blessing,
Jean.
P.S.  There is no word for "goodbye" in Anishinabemowin (Ojibway) - only for "till we meet again".