settlers info : discussion paper
DESCRIPTION
Discussion paper for the Settlers info project. Settlersinfo.orgPlease share your thoughts, ideas, criticisms via the Facebook Group 'Settlers info' https://www.facebook.com/groups/Settlersinfo/ Please contribute information for the Web site to [email protected].TRANSCRIPT
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THE SUPERIORITY DELUSION
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:KHQ�WKH�ƓUVW�(XURSHDQV�DUULYHG��WKH\�VKRXOG�KDYH�DOO�OHDUQW�WKH�1DWLYH�language, taken time to understand the Native culture and integrated their ways of living respectfully, they didn’t. This work should have been completed and passed on to future generations, it wasn’t. Instead they brutally forced First Nations people to learn the English language, stopped them from speaking their own language, damaged their culture and then UHQDPHG�H[LVWLQJ�)LUVW�1DWLRQ�YLOODJHV�DIWHU�UDQGRP�RIƓFHUV�VHUYLQJ�LQ�WKH�British Navy. The notion that this was acceptable behaviour was passed onto future generations through acceptance of the results of these ridiculous, XQIDLU�DQG�FULPLQDO�DFWLRQV��/D\HUV�RI�IDOVH�MXVWLƓFDWLRQ�DQG�V\PEROV�RI�identity were overlaid upon the cracks of any sense of morality and justice. Ignorant people allowed fear, laziness and a false sense of superiority to completely dominate their minds.
Today, the average Canadian Settler knows more about ice hockey then they do about First Nations people and culture. The average Canadian can’t speak a single sentence of a First Nations language. The average Canadian does not know how to spell the First Nations name of the area they are living in. The average Canadian has never even invited a single First Nations person over to their place for dinner. Canadians have, whether they are aware of it or not, inherited a tacit superiority delusion which continues to facilitate QHJDWLYH�WKRXJKWV��EHKDYLRXUV�DQG�DFWLRQV�ZKLFK�FDXVH�VLJQLƓFDQW�SDLQ��:H�must END this superiority delusion together through truth, understanding and love, in short, by completing the tasks that were in fact the right thing to GR�LQ�WKH�ƓUVW�SODFH��,WōV�WLPH�WR�SHHO�EDFN�WKH�OD\HUV�RI�IDOVH�MXVWLƓFDWLRQ��connect to truth and deal with reality. We must take urgent corrective action to remedy past and current issues adversely affecting First Nations people in 2015. It will be an amazingly good and exciting thing to do.
The purpose of the Settlers info project is to facilitate a paradigm shift in Canada amongst the non-aboriginal Canadian population in relation to First Nations people. This project aims to fully emancipate the Canadian mind from a superiority delusion, historically informed by fear and misunderstanding. A superiority delusion�ZKLFK�KDV�IRU�IDU�WRR�ORQJ�LQŴLFWHG�pain upon, and restricted the liberty of, First Nations people, whilst also distorting the natural bonds of friendship that should exist between Canadians and First Nations people. The Settlers info project will achieve this paradigm shift by guiding people through a simple four-step positive transformation process. This will be done not to diminish the human spirit but to bring people together in understanding, love and genuine friendship. It begins by putting forward a simple question of self-examination....
Am I a Settler?
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NO, I AM NOT A SETTLER!
AM I A SETTLER?
THE BEST CANADIAN SETTLER I CAN BE!
I AM A SETTLER.
AM I A SETTLER?
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The goal of the Settlersinfo.org Web site is to guide people through the simple four-step positive transformation process without judgement. Settlersinfo.org starts ZLWK�DFFHSWDQFH�DQG�SRVLWLYH�DIƓUPDWLRQ�that people will enter the process at different stages. It is agreed that we all share the same goal of genuine friendship and the desire to move forward together. The Web site will achieve this goal through the intelligent FRPPXQLFDWLRQ� RI� VSHFLƓF� LQIRUPDWLRQ��from First Nations people, to develop understanding, answer questions and to provide the necessary motivation to progress. Settlersinfo.org will provide a safe space for dialogue, an opportunity to talk, listen and move forward together.
Settlersinfo.org asks all Canadian Settlers to sign The Oath of Friendship.
Settlersinfo.org is not owned by anyone.It’s a gift we give to each other.
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NO, I AM NOT A SETTLER!
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When you ask the average non-aboriginal Canadian, if they are a Settler in Canada, the response will typically be either resistance or confusion. The natural response to change is resistance. Uncomfortable as this stage is, the best response, to help someone advance to the next stage, is to simply listen and provide the truth based on facts.
STAGE ONE : RESISTANCE
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Settlersinfo.org will help people deal with this stage by providing factual evidence. There will be an open forum, via the facebook group ‘Settlers info’, for people to discuss and express their views in relation to the promotion of the opening question of self-examination, namely, “Am I a Settler?”. It is likely to be an uncomfortable and stressful discussion forum, to visit. However, it has to be understood that it is necessary step in changing the status quo.
Settlersinfo.org invites all First Nations people to share their factual knowlegde via video or written articles on the Web site.
Settlersinfo.org will present the key truths that are needed to help people through this stage.
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AM I A SETTLER?
As resistance decreases people enter a state of lower energy reluctance, scepticism, frustration and confusion. It’s important to answer as many questions as possible, within this stage, create involvement opportunities and stay approachable. At this stage it is also important to show commitment and provide incentives for people to progress.
STAGE TWO : CONFUSION
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Settlersinfo.org will help people progress through this stage by providing a detailed question and answer section, involvement opportunities and incentives to change. The web site will share, at this stage, some of the responsibilities of being a Settler.
Settlersinfo.org will invite First Nations people to share their knowledge and answer questions via video or written articles on the Web site.
Settlersinfo.org will help facilitate an approachable and secure environment for everyone to discuss.
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I AM A SETTLER.
Renewed energy VWDUWV�WR�GHYHORS�DW�WKLV�VWDJH��3HRSOH�ZLOO�VWDUW�WR�express feelings of excitement and optimism towards a new relationship. Having answered questions people become ready to accept a change in thinking, the end of their own superiority delusion. At this stage it is critical to encourage creativity, involvement and communication.
STAGE THREE : INTEGRATION
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Settlersinfo.org will help people progress through this stage E\�SURYLGLQJ�PRGHO�H[DPSOHV�RI�&DQDGLDQ�6HWWOHUV��3HRSOH�who First Nations people regard in the highest esteem, with reasons why. At this stage we will encourage participation by providing opportunities for people to develop new ideas, get involved and help progress the project.
Settlersinfo.org will invite First Nations people to share their views of best Settler examples via video or written articles on the Web site.
Settlersinfo.org will encourage new ideas and maintain a reassuring and supportive environment.
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THE BEST SETTLER I CAN BE!
The reward RI�SURJUHVVLQJ�WKURXJK�WKH�ƓUVW�WKUHH�VWDJHV�LV�DUULYLQJ�DW�WKLV�ƓQDO�VWDJH��WKH�RSSRUWXQLW\�WR�EH�WKH�EHVW�6HWWOHU�\RX�FDQ�EH��7KLV�stage is about taking action on issues and culminates with the RSSRUWXQLW\�WR�VLJQ�WKH�Ō2DWK�RI�)ULHQGVKLSō��UHFHLYH�DQ�2IƓFLDO�&HUWLƓFDWH�and have your name added to the Sacred Bond of Friendship.
STAGE FOUR : COMMITMENT
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Settlersinfo.org will celebrate when someone accepts the honour of being a Canadian Settler in relation to First Nations people in Canada. The site will recognize when someone; commits to the new relationship dynamic, commits to action on VSHFLƓF�)LUVW�1DWLRQ�LVVXHV�DQG�ZKHQ�WKDW�SHUVRQ�VLJQV�WKH�2DWK�of Friendship.
Settlersinfo.org will invite First Nations people to share detailed information about issues and how to get involved. First Nations people will be asked to help celebrate when people commit to change through video and written articles on the Web site.
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,�DP�D�&DQDGLDQ�6HWWOHU�ZKR�LV�FRPPLWWHG�WR�JHQXLQH�IULHQGVKLS�with First Nations people in Canada.
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The Oath of Friendship
The Oath of Friendship
After a Canadian Settler has signed The Oath of Friendship they will be sent an e-mail with WKHLU�2IƓFLDO�2DWK�RI�)ULHQGVKLS�&HUWLƓFDWH��Their name will also be added to the Sacred Site of Friendship.
THE BEST CANADIAN SETTLER I CAN BE!
SIGNED: (Date)
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These are some of the issue areas (sections on Web site) where the superiority delusion LV�FDXVLQJ�VLJQLƓFDQW�SDLQ�LQ�������(DFK�QHHGV�WR�EH�DGGUHVVHG�XUJHQWO\�by Settlers, action is required (detailed site info on how to get involved and take action):
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The white dot in the Settlers info logo is equivalent to the number of years Settlers have lived in what we call Canada. The dark area is equivalent to the number of years First Nations people have lived here. The photograph within the logo, taken on Burnaby Mountain, is a detail close-up of a head dress worn by Sut-Lut, Protector of the Sacred Fire, a First Nations Mother of a missing First Nations Daughter.
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https://www.facebook.com/groups/Settlersinfo/
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