Ultimately, Contradictions are Yours to Decipher

I have been criticized by a few Algonquin for the work I do regarding unknown and unstated paternity and the Indian Act.  It seems that these Algonquin are unable to decipher the contradictions that my work embodies in that the Indian Act is set up to carry out genocide.  These Algonquin assume that I do not understand this.  Of course I do.  Regardless of the intended genocide by the nation state, I also know that at a practical every day level Indian status registration is linked to First Nation band membership, citizenship, and treaty rights.  Indigenous mothers and children are in particular need of their treaty rights such as education and health care.  While I completely disagree with Canada’s process of elimination Indigenous rights, it is also my contention that at the very least Canada should not be targeting mothers and babies.  I have worked hard, written, and published several articles and blogs about this topic.  These articles are short and have been placed into the public domain as a mechanism to inform others: Canadians, settlers, new immigrants, and Algonquin.

Here is one:  http://rabble.ca/news/2013/01/canadas-unstated-paternity-policy-amounts-cultural-genocide-against-indigenous-children

I also have several blogs on this topic that can be read at your conveniences at www.lynngehl.com

What I have found is that these same Algonquin assume that the work I do on unknown and unstated paternity is the only work that I do, and that I am unaware of the genocide that takes place through the land claims process.  Of course I know that Canada is committing genocide through their land claims and self-government policies.  I have been very clear that while some people feel the need for the Algonquin to accept the land claim offer of 1.3% of our land and a $300 million one-time buy-out, I do not.  I have also worked hard, written, and published several articles and blogs about this topic as well. These articles are also short and have been placed into the public domain as a mechanism to inform others: Canadians, settlers, new immigrants, and Algonquin.

In this article I named the land claims process for the genocide it is: http://rabble.ca/news/2013/03/heart-break-algonquin-genocide

I have also called out Canada on its national agenda of genocide. Here is a link to this short article:  http://rabble.ca/news/2013/06/genocide-racism-and-canada-day-algonquin-anishinaabekwe-love-letter

While I do this work I also work on creating a larger s p a c e for Indigenous knowledge. I have written a book that celebrates Indigenous knowledge. This book is written for community members and has a larger font and several visuals as a mechanism to reach a broader audience.  I have also written several blogs on cultural knowledge such as the importance of valuing the intelligence of the heart which can be found at this link:  http://www.lynngehl.com/2/post/2013/12/2.html

If you are unable to navigate your way around the work I do on unknown/unstated paternity, the Algonquin land claims process, and on celebrating Indigenous knowledge I respectfully ask that you stop assuming the worst and read some of my publications.

In the work of challenging colonial structures we all have work to do.  The work we do is complementary to one another, rather than opposing.

Miigwetch,

---

Dr. Lynn Gehl is an Algonquin Anishinaabe-kwe from the Ottawa River Valley.  She has a section 15 Charter challenge regarding the continued sex discrimination in The Indian Act, she is an outspoken critic of the Ontario Algonquin land claims and self-government process, and she recently published a book titled Anishinaabeg Stories: Featuring Petroglyphs, Petrographs, and Wampum Belts.  You can reach her at lynngehl@gmail.com and see more of her work at www.lynngehl.com.


Please like, share, and comment on this Black Face Blog.

---