Decolonization and Me
Description
This book invites readers to step into a space of reflection on your personal relationship with truth, reconciliation, and Orange Shirt Day.
Written in response to the increase of residential school denialism, Phyllis Webstad and Kristy McLeod have collaborated to create a book that encourages readers to face their own biases. This book challenges readers through a series of sensitive conversations that explore decolonization, Indigenization, healing, and every person’s individual responsibility to truth and reconciliation. Centered around the Orange Shirt Day movement, and a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, these conversations encourage readers to unpack and reckon with denialism, biases, privilege, and the journey forward, on both a personal and national level.
Within each chapter, Phyllis Webstad draws on her decade of experience (sharing her Orange Shirt Story on a global level and advocating for the rights of Indigenous Peoples) to offer insights on these topics and stories from her personal journey, which co-author and Métis scholar, Kristy McLeod, helps readers to further navigate. Each section includes real denialist comments taken from social media and Kristy's analysis and response to them. Through empathy-driven truth-telling, this book offers an opportunity to witness, reflect, heal, and be intentional about the seeds we hope to plant for the future, together.
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Persons
Content
General Introduction
Phyllis’s Introduction
Kristy’s Introduction
Rationale for book
Terminology for the Work of Decolonization
Part One: Denial of the Truth
Questions We’ve Been Asked Related to Denial of the Truth
Understanding Denialism in Healing
Forms of Denialism Directly Related to Decolonization
Racist Stereotyping
Indigenous Experiences with Racist Stereotypes
Historical Denial
Phyllis’ Experiences with Historical Denial
Minimization
Collective Reluctance and Its Purpose
The Difference Between Dissociation and Denialism
Effect of Denial and Denialism on Healing
Denial of the Truth and You
Conclusion
Reflection Questions for You
Part Two: Awareness and Acknowledgment of the Truth
Questions We’ve Been Asked Related to Awareness and Acknowledgement of the Truth
Understanding, Awareness, and Acknowledgement in Healing
Awareness and Acknowledgment of Canada’s Colonial History
Key Moments of Colonization
Indian Act
Land Dispossession
Forced Assimilation
Cultural Suppression
The Royal Proclamation
Public Acknowledgements of Responsibility
Awareness and Acknowledgement of the Truth and You
Privilege
Conclusion
Reflection Questions for You
Part Three: Acceptance and Facing Responsibility on the Path of Truth and Reconciliation
Questions We’ve Been Asked Related to Acceptance and Facing Responsibility on the Path of Truth and Reconciliation
Reckoning with the Past—Confronting Pain and Denial
Taking Responsibility on the Path of Truth and Reconciliation and You
What is Allyship?
Decolonizing Knowledge and Seeking Indigenous Perspectives
Addressing the Injustices and Their Ongoing Effects
Conclusion
Reflection Questions for You
Part Four: Moving Forward on the Path of Healing Together
Questions We’ve Been Asked Related to Moving Forward on the Path of Healing Together
What is Reconciliation?
Why Engage in Reconciliation?
Reconciliation and You
How Can Reconciliation Happen?
When Will Reconciliation Be Done?
Reflection Questions for You
Endings and Beginnings: Cycles of Learning and Growth
Afterword: “My whole life has been an act of decolonization”
Sources