Shrinking the Margin: Identity, Reality

1
Shrinking the Margin Identity, Reality
Representation

• FNAT 101
• Lecture
• November/2008

2
Let there be lightmultiple points of light

• Aboriginal identity is now part of the public
  sphere
• This sphere is a sort of theatre in modern
  societies (Habermas), where representations can
  be presented by anyone and then contested
  (Gramsci)
• Others can represent us and trade in our cultural
  commodities
• Creates a contested space of identity and
  problems for reclaiming an Indian self

3
Contesting in the Space

• We need to enter the public sphere to challenge
  the unduly pessimistic impressions that often
  prevail (Ponting Voyageur)
• Wish to lay out grounds for optimism
• Focused on 4 areas
• SELF-GOVERNMENT
• ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY
• STRUCTURES OF OPPORTUNITY
• INCREASING RESISTANCE

4
Binaries of Authenticity (Raibmon, 2006)
5
New Age and Indianess (Deloria, 1998)

• Seeking self by cobbling together meanings from
  other cultures
• Consumption of other cultures
• Stories, food, music, spirituality
• Identity becomes a place of choice and consent
  rather than descent
• Mediated through the public sphereone determined
  to focus on social ills or benign positive
  portrayals
• The dominant society will portray us sometimes
  with near accuracy (Hank Sorensen) and sometimes
  not ( WP Kinsella)

6
Selling Our Essence

• Often no room for negatives or realities of
  aboriginal experience
• Social marginalization becomes a marker of
  authenticity
• cultural entrepreneurs sell our stories, vision
  quests, ceremonies.even genealogies and
  identities
• Often part of settler/European rejection or
  distancing from their own ancestors

7
Coming Home Through Stories (McLeod,2007)

• It is like many of us were exiled from our
  identities
• Through stories we can find our place in the
  world
• the way to survive is not giving into hatred,
  but by concentrating on positive things, like
  retrieving stories
• Seek to anchor ourselves in the world

8
A Search for Identity The heros quest

• Elder leaders and guides
• Journey can be external (Jacob) or internal
  (Sarah)
• Usually involves holistic engagement
  intellectual spiritual emotional physical
• Multiple pathways, both within and outside of
  homeland
• Need to engage and challenge

9
One view of the Journey

• Cardinal says we are seekers of knowledge
• The answer lies within the traditions
• Cleansing of all the pains and sufferings
• Cannot become genophobic as we have a shared
  past shared learning tradition
• Responsibility to communicate the gift we have
  receivedwho is it that we are

10
Preparing to Quest Contest the Space

• First Nations Studies a training ground
• Yet Maria Campbell (CINSA, 2001) expressed
  disappointment that we have not moved further we
  are set up to do so much more
• At the same conference, Alex McLean (2001) saw
  limits to the malleability of his (Cree) identity
• We need to draw on our traditions communities
  to set those limits
• Don Fixico (2001) acknowledged weve engaged the
  other before, always borrowed culture, but we
  need to make what we borrow our own
• Calls to the importance of creating a generation
  confident in working in the current public sphere

11
Fulfilling Riels Prophesy

• My people will sleep for one hundred years and
  when they awaken, it will be the artists that
  will bring their spirit back to the people
• Importance of our engagement in the humanities as
  writers, filmmakers, actors, musicians, web
  designers, painters, carvers and more
• Creating authentic space in the public sphere
• Developing and speaking our voices then linking
  with those willing to help to create multiple
  points of light
• Our better future depends on the optimism we
  create and portrayit is a beautiful time to be
  young Cardinal 2004