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| Near the Alberta-BC Border (photo by V.A. McMillan) |
Title: Rez Rules – A Book
Report
Rez Rules – My Indictment
of Canada’s and America’s Systemic Racism Against Indigenous Peoples
(2021) by Chief Clarence Louie, Osoyoos Indian Band.
B.L.U.F. – Should you
read this book? YES. Why? That will take a bit more time to explain…
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| Rez Rules by Chief Clarence Louie (photo by V.A. McMillan) |
Did I like the book? Yes
and no. This also will take a bit more time to explain…
Disclosure, I am not an
Indian, as Chief Louie refers to himself and other First Nations Peoples. I
will likely use First Nations or similar while explaining my thoughts from
reading the Chief’s book. No reference will be made to insult anyone. If you do
not like the terms I use and you have not read Chief Louie’s book, mind your
tongue as you have not earned a place in this discussion.
I am nine-years younger
than the Chief and remember a different time in Canada than the one currently
being experienced here in Canuckistan. I was aware that Indian Residential Schools
existed, that they came into being in a collaboration between government and
the churches. I was told in school that the purpose of those schools was to
help get the “savage” out of the Indian to help them better integrate into
Canadian society. That was way back in elementary school, and I do not recall
any deep or insight discussion on the right or wrong. It was information
presented as facts. I was also aware that Native children forced to attend
these schools did not always have a positive experience, I was not aware until
years later how bad the negative experiences were for some. I also recall
hearing that when Canada experienced epidemics for diseases that the
Residential Schools were not spared and students there died of disease just
like every other community across the country, save one…Natives rarely had the
financial resources to have the bodies of their children shipped home. The
government refused to send the bodies back, and the churches did their best at
the time to give the children a final resting place. Chief Louie visits this
topic a number of times through his book, and it is a topic that needs to be
discussed in an open, honest conversation.
Chief Louie also
addresses the issue of professional and amateur sports teams using symbols,
icons, and images with a First Nations origin. Unlike, soapbox pundits who
proclaim these teams as proof of cultural theft, the Chief expressed his pride
in seeing his Peoples’ culture being displayed to the world at large. The Chief
also shared that so long as the cultural images are being used in a respectful
manner his does not see a problem. He even commented that he enjoyed the comradery
of the sports fans wearing their jerseys to games and even had no issue with Atlanta
Braves fans performing the Tomahawk Chop in support of their team. On the other
hand, the Chief would prefer to see the rivers, lakes, mountains, and similar
geographical landmarks get their Traditional names back. Chief Louie is a
strong supporter of team sports and sees the positives in being a player and
being a coach. Teamwork is important!
Now, I first heard Chief
Louie’s name back in the early 1990’s when I was in school learning about a
career in corrections. The Chief was identified as being the motivating force that
was bringing business to the Osoyoos Indian Reserve and getting his People out
the dependency cycle with the Government of Canada. When you read Rez
Rules you will quickly find the Chief is a modest fellow who credits
his entire team at the Osoyoos Indian Band with the success of bring business, employment,
and financial stability to their Nation. A good leader does that, he shares the
credit or even transfer the credit. That is humility and that is a quality of a
great leader.
Indian Pride is also
expressed throughout this book. The Chief expresses his pride in seeing Indian
Pride being expressed and shared by all First Nations Peoples. He knows the
importance of saving language, traditions, shared experiences, and passing
those on to future generations (seven generations forward.) The Chief is also quick
to point out that boot-to-ass needs to happen to those who are dragging their
culture down – no place on the Reserve for drugs, alcohol, or lazy-ass bums who
won’t go to work and earn a living. And that is incumbent of those of the
Reserves to punt out the gangs and gang members who terrorize some of the
Native communities. Chief Louie shares that what he and his team has done on
the Osoyoos Reservation in creating a business park, and leased land projects
that benefit his People, can be repeated on other Reserves across the country…just
elect a Band Council and Chief that want to get down to business and stop
depending on the government handouts.
Where I truly differ with
the opinion of the Chief is when we get into the discussion of Treaties and
what that will mean today and tomorrow. While no one reading this was around
when those Treaties were signed, there is no witnesses except the Treaties
themselves to convey what was agreed to. There is one huge problem…bigger than
the problem of resolving 17th, 18th, & 19th
century problems viewed through a 21st century lens…and that
problem, which no one seems man enough to mention is that nobody at the
negotiation dealt in good faith. NO ONE. The tales passed down suggest the
First Nations entered into agreement to “sell” land, that their own beliefs
said could not be “owned”. The new arrivals, tried to “trade” for land with
disease ridden blankets, glass beads, knives, and axes. These Europeans were
trying to break their past behaviours of using Total War to capture and take
the land. Under the old rules of European dynasty making, a war was fought, and
the victor killed every man, woman, and child in the land to ensure future land
claims did not occur. Or that is my understand of the old ways of grabbing land.
So, what value is there in Treaties that were negotiated in bad faith by all
parties??? Where would the reconciliation begin?? Whose truths would be more
true?? These are serious questions, with serious implications. And nobody wants
to hear these questions, and no one wants to work through to find the answers.
Chief Louie does an admirable job of presenting this issue from the First
Nations’ point of view. Which is entirely right, his People were screwed over,
royally. The fact the First Nations got screwed over is not in question.
My other bone of
contention is the inference that all people in Canada who arrived from Europe
are racists. By labelling all white people as racists, is that not a racist
comment to make?? Hating a person based on the physical appearance, colour of
skin, language, or whatever is bigotry. And certainly, can be racial motivated
in some people. Not all people are the same. And that cuts both ways!! If a
person engages with a person at the individual level and either likes or
dislikes that person, even if they are of different races does NOT mean one or
the other is racist. When an entire group of people is identified and marginalized
based purely on visual appearance, that is racism. When that oppression
continues generation after generation that would be systemic racism. Saying the
federal government is systemically racist…the behaviour observed would support
this. And it would also support that the federal government is oppressive, but
that occurs to a broader spectrum of Canadian society. Now some of the people
that arrived in the New World were forced off their Traditional lands to make
way for sheep. These people were starved. Beaten. Raped. Burned to death. Taxed
into ruin. And finally, given the option to take a boat ride across the North
Atlantic to have the opportunity to die in another world and maybe, just maybe,
make a new life. The descendants of these people who live across every region
of Canada would make worthy allies with the First Nations Peoples. However, in
my opinion, the First Nations are still in pain and still progressing through
the grief cycle and are not ready to find allies. The pain is still too raw. I
can respect that. Let more time pass and we can talk when the time is right.
Finally, I really like
Chief Louie’s perspective on business. He has many great ideas that he shares,
and he has seen many ideas put into practice on the Osoyoos Indian Reserve
which has rewarded his People with a better life and a future free from the purse
strings of the Indian Agents. The Chief’s commitment to seeing a portion of
earnings or profits set aside for future generations is fantastic. Seven
Generations planning should be adopted everywhere. That would take sustainable
business, business continuity, and emergency preparedness to a whole new level,
looking that far ahead.
So, should you read Chief
Louie’s book?? I can say, unreservedly, yes. This book tells a tale that needs
to be heard in every corner of Canada, whether it is painful to read or not.
Does a discussion need to happen?? Yes, one day. Some are ready and other not
so much, yet. Chief Louie’s book gives a firm foundation for that future
discussion…maybe that will lead to Truth and Reconciliation?!?
Where can you find your
own copy?? If you are not boycotting Amazon, it can be found there: https://www.amazon.ca/Rez-Rules-Indictment-Americas-Indigenous/dp/0771048335/ref=sr_1_1?crid=Y40Q0D9A9TZ0&keywords=rez+rules+by+chief+clarence+louie&qid=1664579992&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjUzIiwicXNhIjoiMC40NyIsInFzcCI6IjAuNjEifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=rez+rules%2Caps%2C187&sr=8-1
.
Until next time…Read a
good book…
Even if you do not like what
it has to say!
Mountainman.
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