Pretendians are people who declare Indigenous standing however don’t have any. They declare Indigenous roots for notoriety, standing and cash.
Article content material
Every December, the phrase of the yr is introduced by varied sources. This yr the Oxford dictionary has chosen the time period “mind rot,” whereas the Websters dictionary has chosen “polarization.”
Article content material
Article content material
Each are worthy as they describe the loopy social media fuelled politics of the yr.
However I’ve one other alternative that’s extra acceptable for Indian Nation. The phrase of the yr for us is “pretendian.” Pretendian describes people who declare Indigenous standing, however don’t have any; they declare Indigenous roots for notoriety, standing and cash.
Commercial 2
Article content material
2024 was the yr of the pretendian they usually have been dropping out of the woodwork. Buffy Sainte-Marie, medical researcher Carrie Bourassa, Choose Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond and member of Parliament Randy Boissonnault all got here underneath scrutiny and have been discovered wanting.
Pretendians have been with us since Gray Owl and, extra just lately, author Joseph Boyden and filmmaker Michelle Latimer.
The case that rocked Indian Nation was Buffy Sainte-Marie. For a number of generations, she was the one Cree face we noticed on TV. She was on Sesame Road and varied music exhibits. She toured North America promoting her Cree roots.
In 2007 she gained the Juno for Indigenous album of the yr; now we all know that she is neither Indigenous nor a Canadian and he or she ought to return the award.
On the College of Saskatchewan, Carrie Bourassa was a professor within the Faculty of Medication in addition to the scientific director of the institute of Indigenous folks’s well being, which is a part of the Canadian Institutes of Well being Analysis.
She held high-profile positions and was seen as Indigenous and an knowledgeable on Indigenous well being points.
Article content material
Commercial 3
Article content material
Our folks have a sixth sense in relation to fraudsters. People who find themselves dwelling a lie and claiming Indigenous ancestry are sure to slide up and reveal their lack of awareness.
They make up tales of being adopted and raised exterior the tradition, or they redirect considerations by telling tales of racism and hardship. Ultimately folks begin to ask questions and dig into the person’s previous.
When Gray Owl was revealed to be Archie Belany from Hastings, England, the nation was shocked. Nonetheless, I’ve spoken to elders similar to Allen Ahenakew and Angus Merasty who advised me they knew Gray Owl wasn’t Indigenous.
When he spoke Cree, his accent was apparent. However they accepted him as a result of they thought of him innocent, and he was selling Indigenous points. He was additionally a prodigious drunk and bolstered the stereotype.
However Gray Owl was not an anomaly — he was the tip of the iceberg. For many years no one wished to say Indigenous standing. It was thought of a detriment reasonably than a bonus. Occasions have modified and in the present day there may be severe money and fame for a person who is aware of methods to play the system.
Commercial 4
Article content material
Pretendians know methods to use the system to their benefit. Establishments like them as a result of they communicate their language and supply a way of consolation. Within the case of Carrie Bourassa, the establishment was reluctant to let her go as a result of she was doing a great job.
Pretendians create a dichotomy in that many are proficient people, however they’re dwelling a lie. Within the course of they’re taking funding, awards and salaries created to serve the Indigenous inhabitants.
Equally proficient Indigenous students, writers and entertainers are omitted. Pretendians are usually not an asset to our folks, they’re a detriment to the advancement of our people.
Many people like Choose Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond have carried out good work and superior Indigenous causes. Buffy Sainte-Marie had the “cradleboard” venture, which is a educating instrument to boost the self-worth of Indigenous youngsters.
However that is one thing that they may have carried out with out claiming Indigenous ancestry. They need to have declared their racial background and pledged their assist to the Indigenous nations.
This, nonetheless, is less complicated stated than carried out. As soon as somebody begins dwelling a lie, it’s laborious to again out and admit wrongdoing. The result’s that the person will get in deeper and deeper and suffers huge loss and embarrassment when discovered.
Commercial 5
Article content material
Little doubt more pretendians will surface, however we should transfer on. We have to look out for one another and promote the true Indigenous folks.
In order that’s my phrase for the yr. It’s the product of mind rot, but it surely hasn’t led to the polarization of Indigenous society.
Doug Cuthand is the Indigenous affairs columnist for the Saskatoon StarPhoenix and the Regina Chief-Submit. He’s a member of the Little Pine First Nation.
Really helpful from Editorial
Our web sites are your vacation spot for up-to-the-minute Saskatchewan information, so be certain to bookmark thestarphoenix.com and leaderpost.com. For Regina Chief-Submit newsletters click on here; for Saskatoon StarPhoenix newsletters click on here
Article content material
