If you are just emerging from the holiday break (good on you for taking the time!) you might have noticed that Joseph Boyden has been making headlines because an APTN investigation revealed that none of his claims to Indigenous identity checked out.
Here's what I've learned: as a guest on this land, when it comes to Indigenous issues, it is so important to:
(a) notice whose perspectives the mainstream media is relying on
(b) search out for multiple Indigenous voices on a topic
If you are interested in digging deeper you can start by checking out
- this post on Vice by Ryan McMahon an Anishinaabe/Metis comedian and writer
- this post on Canadaland by Robert Jago from Kwantlen First Nation
- and this CBC segment about Indigenous identity featuring Kim TallBear (a member of Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate) and others
Questions for us to consider:
- Whose voices are being represented in the media we are consuming about Indigenous communities and issues?
- What are good sources to turn to for information beyond mainstream newspapers and stations?
Thanks to Ryan for giving me permission to use his image!
Check out his work at http://www.rmcomedy.com.