In the Ojibwe Grandfather teachings, to be humble is a virtue. We do not place ourselves above anyone else nor are we below anyone else. We strive to learn and seek out those teachers who can teach us how to move forward, to feed ourselves and our families and those most vulnerable, first the orphans and the elders. Who do I serve? Who do I represent? When decisions are to be made that affect our community, we might ask ourselves the following questions. Who is initiating the conversation? Who stands to benefit from these actions? Who is at the table? Have we included diverse representatives from our communities and others who will be affected? As an Ojibwe woman, I see and experience the world in a particular way that is specific to my Ojibwe/Anishinabe cultural practices. As a Two Spirit/queer woman, I see and experience the world and my relationships to others both in my Ojibwe Indigenous culture and among other/ethnic/cultural groups in a way that is particular to my own, culture, sexuality and gender. Can I represent my Ojibwe/Anishinabe brothers adequately? I can certainly serve them by ensuring they have a place at the table, and resources to do their work. As an older person, can I adequately represent our youth? I can be a good teacher and I can ensure that they have a place at the table and they have the resources to do their work. But totally represent them or their interests, probably not. Why not? Their experience is different than mine. Perhaps their hopes and aspirations are not the same as mine.Get the Story:
Sharon Day: Who Needs to Be at the Table? (Indian Country Today 3/15)
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