Introduction
Being an ally to Indigenous peoples in Canada means actively supporting their rights, amplifying their voices, and working toward reconciliation. It requires education, humility, and a commitment to challenging colonial systems that continue to oppress Indigenous communities.
Canada’s history is deeply rooted in colonization, residential schools, forced assimilation, and systemic discrimination. Today, Indigenous peoples still face significant barriers in healthcare, education, justice, and land rights. As non-Indigenous Canadians, it is our responsibility to listen, learn, and take meaningful action.
This guide provides steps to becoming a better ally, from education to advocacy.
1. Educate Yourself on Indigenous History and Current Issues
Learn About Colonial History
- Residential Schools: From the 1870s to 1996, over 150,000 Indigenous children were forcibly taken from their families and placed in residential schools, where many suffered abuse, neglect, and death. The last school closed only in 1996.
- The Sixties Scoop: From the 1950s to the 1980s, thousands of Indigenous children were taken from their families and placed in foster care or adopted into non-Indigenous homes.
- Ongoing Discrimination: Indigenous peoples face systemic racism in policing, healthcare, and child welfare (e.g., the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in foster care).
Understand Treaties and Land Rights
- Canada is built on unceded Indigenous land. Treaties were agreements between Indigenous nations and the Crown, but many were broken or ignored.
- Learn whose traditional territory you live on (use resources like Native Land Digital).
Stay Informed on Current Issues
- Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG)
- Clean water crises in Indigenous communities
- Land defense movements (e.g., Wet’suwet’en resistance)
- The ongoing impacts of resource extraction on Indigenous lands
Recommended Resources:
- Books: 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph, The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King
- Films/Documentaries: We Were Children (residential schools), There’s Something in the Water (environmental racism)
- Podcasts: Missing & Murdered, Unreserved (CBC)
2. Listen to Indigenous Voices
Center Indigenous Perspectives
- Follow Indigenous activists, artists, scholars, and leaders.
- Read Indigenous-authored books, news outlets (APTN News, IndigiNews), and social media accounts.
- Attend talks, workshops, and cultural events led by Indigenous people.
Avoid Speaking Over Indigenous People
- Allyship is about supporting, not leading. Let Indigenous voices guide conversations about their rights and experiences.
- If you’re in a space where Indigenous people are sharing their stories, listen more than you speak.
3. Challenge Stereotypes and Racism
Recognize Harmful Stereotypes
- Avoid romanticizing Indigenous cultures (e.g., referring to Indigenous peoples as “noble savages”).
- Reject the myth that Indigenous peoples are “getting handouts”—this ignores systemic underfunding and broken treaties.
Call Out Racism
- If you hear racist jokes, stereotypes, or misinformation, speak up (e.g., “That’s not accurate—here’s why…”).
- Correct misconceptions about Indigenous peoples in workplaces, schools, and social settings.
4. Support Indigenous-Led Initiatives
Economic Support
- Buy from Indigenous-owned businesses (e.g., Indigenous Tourism Canada, Indigenous-owned bookstores).
- Donate to Indigenous organizations (e.g., Native Women’s Association of Canada, Indigenous Climate Action).
Land and Environmental Justice
- Support land defenders and Indigenous-led environmental movements.
- Advocate for Indigenous land rights in discussions about pipelines, mining, and deforestation.
Cultural Revitalization
- Attend Indigenous cultural events (powwows, art exhibits, language workshops).
- Respect sacred traditions and protocols (ask before participating in ceremonies).
5. Advocate for Systemic Change
Political Advocacy
- Support Indigenous-led calls to action (e.g., the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action).
- Contact MPs to demand action on issues like clean water, MMIWG, and Indigenous child welfare.
- Vote for leaders who prioritize Indigenous rights.
Workplace & Institutional Change
- Push for Indigenous inclusion in hiring, curriculum, and decision-making.
- Encourage land acknowledgments (but ensure they’re meaningful, not performative).
- Support Indigenous colleagues and students by advocating for equitable policies.
6. Practice Humility and Accountability
Acknowledge Mistakes
- Allyship is a learning process. If you make a mistake (e.g., mispronouncing a name, misunderstanding an issue), apologize, learn, and do better.
Avoid Performative Allyship
- Posting a land acknowledgment without action is not enough. Follow up with tangible support.
- Don’t expect praise for being an ally—this work is about justice, not recognition.
Conclusion
Being an ally to Indigenous peoples in Canada is an ongoing commitment. It requires education, action, and a willingness to challenge colonial systems. By listening to Indigenous voices, supporting their leadership, and advocating for justice, we can contribute to meaningful reconciliation.
The path forward is not easy, but it is necessary. As non-Indigenous Canadians, we must take responsibility for the past and present injustices and work toward a future where Indigenous rights, cultures, and sovereignty are respected and upheld.
Next Steps:
- Find out whose land you’re on.
- Read at least one Indigenous-authored book this month.
- Donate to or support an Indigenous-led organization.
- Have a conversation about Indigenous rights with someone in your life.
Together, we can move toward a more just and equitable Canada.
