Aboriginal Issues Assignment

For my journalism class, my instructor gave us an assignment that entailed writing a blog post about an Aboriginal issue. Last week our class went to see an exhibit at the University of Manitoba about the history of residential schools.

It was very impactful and I highly suggest seeing it. I have been thinking about the exhibit ever since and have not been able to get the images and stories out of my mind.

I realized at the start of this assignment, I didn’t know very many Aboriginal people that I could talk to. I tried the social media avenue to connect to sources, but it still wasn’t easy.

I had a few people that I knew on facebook decline the interview due to busy schedules and some people said they would ask their friends but were not sure if they would be comfortable because this was a sensitive topic. It took me all week to just find sources that were open to discussing this topic with me. I thought this was interesting in itself.

I have a step son, Alix who is Ojibway. He is 11 ½ years old. I thought it would be interesting to talk to him about what he thought was an important Aboriginal issue. I decided to take the issue Alix thought to be important and address it with Aboriginal adults.

Alix Catagas goes to Greenway School that teaches students from kindergarten to grade six. Greenway school is located on Burnell Street and St. Mathews Avenue and Alix has attended this school since he was in kindergarten. Alix said he attends powwow classes every Wednesday from 4:00pm-5:00pm and likes it because he learns about his culture, the medicines and how Aboriginal people dance.

He also said he learns when ceremonies are going on in his community.
When I asked Alix what Aboriginal issue was important to him he had a clear answer immediately.

“I feel that the Aboriginal culture deserves more respect and representation in my community. I would like to see this in the form of more Aboriginal murals, festivals and statues placed throughout my community. I would like to see more programming in community centers geared toward Aboriginal culture too,” he said.

I was so proud of Alix to articulate such a thoughtful response. My husband and I also agreed with Alix As we drove around his neighbourhood to see symbols or identifying businesses that represented the Aboriginal culture we could not see very much.

Glenn Chocrane, 59 years old and father of three was born and raised in the North End. Glenn’s spirit name is Hunting Eagle that suggests he is supposed to work with younger people to open doors for them.

According to Glenn Cochrane’s biography, Cochrane is a visionary pipe carrier who received his rights of passage and teachings mainly through Elder Don Cardinal and his grandmother.

Glenn has been working in the Aboriginal Community for over 30 years in various capacities. He is an activist, educator and Aboriginal cultural leader who held various management and human service positions with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal non-profit, private and governmental organizations. Glenn was also the Director of the former gang prevention program for the City of Winnipeg Police Service.

Chocrane lives at his apartment at the student residents on Higgins Street located at the Aboriginal Centre at the campus.

This is where I met him for the interview. His passion pride for his culture is evident by his eagerness to share his culture with me through stories and Aboriginal art throughout his apartment.

“Adults forget that children see what goes on around them,” he said immediately.

“If the picture Aboriginal youth see is crime and poverty and nothing visual but boarded houses and boarded up businesses than what else do they have to aspire to? There does need to be more business and symbols that reflect where people have come from, he said”

Chocrane said, “We have to start over again and re introduce ourselves to each other. There is no need for poverty or racism anymore. Life is too short.”
He also said, “Community itself is not healthy because of the racism that is still alive and well. The work ethic with living in the city is a lot different from where they came from on the reserve or the community where they lived. They face culture shock.”

Chocrane also said, “We have a generation now that can do it. Things are changing. I see the community changing. I know we can fit in but we have to know how to fit in. The support from the political world and our leadership has to be on board and they are too busy fighting each other.”

My concern is he said, “Other races in different communities patronize their own businesses and this helps their communities survive. Hispanic and China town groups are good examples. Our people are yet to come together to do things and share things in order to support each other.”

Chocrane also said, “The government has done such a good job of segregating each other that it is difficult now. Our young people’s minds see what is in front of them and around them. They become their environment. If it is poverty, drugs alcohol and gangs that young people see, this is what you aspire to become. The environment dictates what these people aspire to be. Change is happening but it is slow going.”

Lara McCabe, 33, entrepreneur and owner of Peach Jam Skates located at the Forks is Métis.
McCabe said “There are some amazing programs that are happening in the city that encourage Aboriginal people, including youth, to get involved with artistic and cultural endeavors. It may be helpful to get involved directly with these programs so to add personally to the expression of Aboriginal youth in the city.”

McCabe also said “I think it's great that youth are getting involved in their culture at a young age and that they are able to articulate the feelings and ideas that they have to people that are willing to listen.”