Awareness of Indigenous Issues (or lack there of)

You may have unknowingly participated in a little Twitter Experiment that I conducted. I put out this Tweet that linked to this blog post. If you have a look at them, I think it is pretty self explanatory. Here’s the results:

People were three times more likely to click on the promise of learning to take cute pet photos than they were to learn anything about current indigenous issues... three times. At a time when here in Canada it’s almost cool to have an opinion on such matters thanks to Gord Downie, people, when left to their own devices people would rather spend their time looking into something as totally vapid as cute pet pictures than take a few moments to become better informed about arguably one of the most important issues facing Canadian society. Admittedly, the public consciousness has been trained for generations to ignore all things Indigenous and overcoming that kind of inertia will take time. However, I will put it out there to the small handful of people who will read this that you have responsibility. Be informed. If you need some tips, check out this post.

I find it disturbing the limited coverage the events going on in North Dakota are receiving. We have to come to realize that not only has colonization been a non-stop assault on the environment but it has also worked tirelessly to quite the voices that have always stood as caretakers to all that give life to us all. Those voices are still singing. We only need to listen.

Moreover, I would wager that most Ontarians don’t realize that an equally as important and contentious issue is occurring right now in the London area. You can be informed and still make a difference.

I have no illusions that my little experiment will do anything to change any attitudes. I am just doing what I can. Perhaps you will do the same.