Viewing the Past and Looking to the Future… Two Eyes Are Better Than One

THERE IS MORE GOOD NEWS IN THE WORLD THAN BAD

Land is an equalizer between all peoples; a safe place for cultural exchange and understanding. When we are on the land, we naturally meet each other through humanity. – Chloe Dragon Smith 2020

It was a colourful scene! At the front of the room a 57-year old woman was speaking to about 75 people – 25 Indigenous youth and 25 non-Indigenous youth, aged 15 to 17 and 25 adults (Indigenous elders and Rotarians). Most, including the speaker, wore orange shirts, many with the words Every CHILD MATTERS on them.

They were all there as part of the 3rd annual Y2Y event sponsored by HIP (Honouring Indigenous Peoples)* which brings young people together from across the country to learn from and about each other through land based education. The speaker was Phyllis Webstad, founder of Orange Shirt Day, now formally known as, The National Day For Truth and Reconciliation.

Phyllis was telling her story of how, at age 6, she was sent to a residential school, where her cherished orange shirt, given to her by her grandmother, was taken from her. She never saw the shirt again. She spoke about her time at the school, returning to her community, having a child at 13, her feelings of being unwanted, how her child made her feel loved and needed, and the difficulties that followed.

She ultimately became a business administrator. In 2013 she was asked to tell her story in public. It was so compelling that she was asked to speak again and again, eventually leading to the creation of Orange Shirt Day. In 2021, after the discovery of the children’s graves at the Residential school in Kamloops B.C., Orange Shirt Day became the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation; it is now recognized every September 30th across the country.

For the 75 or so people in the audience, this was not a new story, but they all listened attentively, with many identifying with her experiences. If they had not understood before, everyone in the room now understood the words on many of the shirts: EVERY CHILD MATTERS. It was an emotional talk; many had relatives who had been in a residential school, some were crying, and a few needed to be helped by elders trained to deal with the emotions triggered by Phyllis’ story.

Phyllis stayed for 3 days, mixing with everyone, openly sharing who she was, and freely acknowledging her ongoing healing. In some ways, Phyllis is much like everyone else. in other ways she is extraordinary – with her story growing into a national holiday and day of learning and understanding, and for many of the youth she was like a favourite aunt – chatting, listening, and understanding.

That afternoon everyone heard an equally compelling story from Albert Marshall, a wise 87-year old Mi’kmaq elder with long gray hair and a sparkle in his eye.

Elder Albert, along with his wife Murdena, are recognized as the creators of the concept of Two-Eyed Seeing.

Albert went to a residential school but dropped out after Grade 3. Despite his lack of formal education, his advancement and promotion of Indigenous ways of knowing and seeing, particularly in relation to the environment, have been recognized with the awarding of five Honorary Doctorates.

While Phyllis’ talk was about the past, Albert’s talk focused on the future – how Indigenous views, knowledge, and care of the environment, created and developed over millennia and passed on orally by knowledge keepers and elders, can play a key part of how we care for our environment in the future.

In a nutshell, in Two-Eyed Seeing we see from one eye through the lens of Indigenous ways of knowing and caring for the environment, and from the other through the lens of Western (or mainstream) ways of knowing and caring for the environment… putting the best of both into action for the benefit of all.

Expanding on the components – Indigenous ways of knowing are place-based, spiritual, consider the impact of our actions over multiple generations, and view nature as holistic, interconnected, harmonious, and balanced. These relationships are seen as fixed and unchanging and are celebrated with ceremony, in which reciprocity is central.

In contrast, Western ways of knowing are place-independent, non-spiritual, and view nature as dynamic and evolving. They are based on honest observation and accurate logic and rely on models that can be tested and refined. Belief systems are tentative and open to change as facts accumulate.

Combined, these two approaches have proven powerful and effective and hold great promise for the future.

The environment is a common concern for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth – a two-eyed approach provides a bridge and a bonding mechanism. During the week youth had the opportunity to experience two-eyed seeing in action at both a Mi’kmaq education centre and Kejimkujik National Park and Historic Site, which is co-managed by Parks Canada and Indigenous Peoples. Such a co-management approach would have been impossible 10 years ago, when trust, credibility, and respect were inadequate. Now, Indigenous Peoples are more widely recognized for their knowledge and stewardship of the lands they have occupied for millennia, and for the lessons they can provide to settlers and their successors.

The co-management model being developed by Parks Canada and the Mi’kmaw for all national parks and historic sites in Nova Scotia is a pilot project, which if successful could be adopted by Parks Canada and others across the country to the benefit of all. To me, this is a great step forward.

As this collaboration evolves, it is hoped that the concept of two-eyed seeing will be the language and practice of the future.

An additional talk by Lanna Campbell, PEI Program Director for the Nature Conservancy of Canada, described her involvement with a partnership between NCC, a local Indigenous community, and Parks Canada to create a new National Park in PEI, which would be largely Indigenous-managed. NCC has developed collaborative approaches in much of what they do across Canada.

The 52 young people from nearly every province in Canada did much more than just listen to people talking. Among other things:

• They learned through stories about Indigenous ways, including the universal importance of the eagle in Indigenous cultures.
• They intermingled and talked, played billiards, worked out together in a gym, and debriefed and talked around the continually burning sacred fire about each other, their activities, and beliefs.
• Some made beaded caps and ribbon vests, and all made drums, which they later played in a circle of 75 people around the fire. This playing of 50 drums, which represent the heartbeat of the land, was incredibly powerful, connecting, and spiritual.
• They made friends across cultures and geography. One non indigenous young man from Toronto became good friends with an Indigenous young man (Cree) from East Main on the Quebec side of James Bay. They exchanged ideas about the land and their daily activities.
• While the Indigenous people take moose for food, but only enough to sustain them. In return, they reciprocate by giving back to the land, by looking after it. The Indigenous people believe everything is connected and they think of the impact they are making seven generations ahead.
• They participated in smudging and discovered the meaning behind it, learned the sacredness of tobacco, and rose to watch the magic of the sunrise.

Youth participants were chosen from over 100 applicants, were gender and culture diverse and came from coast to coast to coast.

All costs were paid with funds raised by HIP from individuals, government, foundations, and Rotary clubs. Helpers were all volunteers, primarily Rotarians from across Canada.

There were also six youth volunteers, all alumni from previous Y2Y gatherings.

What of the future?

The young people are required to speak to others about their Y2Y adventure and what they learned – to their class, to Rotary clubs and others. Some received special media training.

They keep in touch through a chat line and other social media. There are now over 200 alumni. A substantial number have made deep, ongoing friendships.

One youth who emigrated from Albania to Canada two years ago, and who speaks perfect English, is planning to make a video. She was busy scheduling interview times for some of the speakers and had conscripted several other participants.

Another youth who said the Y2Y experience greatly altered his perception and perspective asked, “What can I do with all of this?¨ He is a counselor-in-training at a summer camp and, after some discussion, believed he could integrate it into his camp activities.

All the youth now know much more about each other and their respective cultures and will be part of what helps them forge an even better Canada. That, to me, is a GOOD NEWS STORY.

* HIP (Honouring Indigenous Peoples) was started in 2014. It is now a coast to coast to coast charitable organization. Our directors are 50% Indigenous and 50% Rotarians, with an equitable gender balance.

HIP’s focus is education, awareness, and the building of relationships.

I was the founding Board Chair, stepping down after 11 years on May 5th 2025. I will be continuing my relationship with HIP as Chair Emeritus.

The new Chair is Jim Louttit, who grew up in Northern Ontario. Although he was aware of his Indigenous heritage, it was always played down and his family lived off reserve.

Jim had a successful banking career, focused primarily in Latin America. He has also been active in Rotary for many years. Upon retirement, he discovered that he was, in fact, a Status Indian. Every day he is learning more about his background and meeting new Indigenous relatives. His new role as Chair is not only a personal step forward, but also a further step in the maturation and evolution of HIP.

Our Vice-Chair is Audrey Gilbeau, a member of the Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek First Nation and Executive Director of the Nokiiwin Tribal Council in Thunder Bay.

HIP will, among other things, continue to promote the co-management of our environment and further develop education, awareness and building of relationships between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Peoples under the outstanding leadership of John Currie and our coast to coast board of Indigenous Peoples and Rotarians.

It should be noted that both John Currie and HIP board member Dr. Tom Herman, Professor Emeritus of Biology at Acadia University, both made significant contributions to the accuracy and integrity of this blog, and for that I say, “Chi chi miigwetch, wela’lin, – many, many thanks.”

Till next time,

Chris Snyder

Climate Optimist

Email: snyderchris74@gmail.com
Stories of Good News and Hope: https://chrissnyder.makeanimpact.ca