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| Last updated at 12:53 AM on 02/11/09 |
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Mi’kmaq artist Jordan Bennett writes out the words to the Indian Act on a teepee to help raise awareness of the treatment of aboriginal people in Canada. — Star photo by Cory Hurley |
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Local aboriginal artist makes artistic stand for his people 
CORNER BROOK
CORY HURLEY
The Western Star
A Mi’Kmaq artist from Stephenville Crossing made a stand for aboriginal people across the country in Corner Brook Friday.
Jordan Bennett set up a teepee on the lawn of the First United Church on West Street, and spent the day etching the words of the Indian Act around it. The aboriginal lodging was shut with the Canadian seal, signifying how the aboriginal people have been trapped by the Government of Canada’s rules since 1876.
“This is just my way of letting the people of Newfoundland know, the people of Canada know, there is concern for aboriginal people all over,” Bennett said, of the art project he did in conjunction with last week being Aboriginal Sovereignty Week.
“I want people to be aware of what these rules entail, and how aboriginal people have been treated over the years and how they are still being treated ... It’s just the rules are so messed up that people need to be aware. A lot of people in this area are Mi’Kmaq, a large portion of people where I am from are, and the majority of them probably don’t even know what goes on in the Indian Act.”
He wore a head piece of feathers and a bandana on his face, which he said represented the early aboriginal warriors portrayal of strength and unity. He said the bandana in no way was to hide his face, but for people to realize it wasn’t a personal statement, but one for aboriginal people as a whole.
Bennett shook his head as he wrote the words of the Act on the paper covering of the teepee.
“I am reading and writing it out, and I am confused,” he said. “Let alone in 1876, when a lot of aboriginal people couldn’t even speak English.”
He chose the church yard on West Street for its beauty and central location, but also because he said it represented the western society’s moving in and taking over the aboriginal people’s land — which he said wasn’t anything personal against the church itself.
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02/11/09
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Douglas from Corner Brook, NL writes: Hat's off to you, Jordan. If not for your performance piece I wouldn't have even known about Aboriginal Sovereignty Week.
To Mr. or Ms. or Mrs. lol above, yes times are changing, and despite the barriers of both the cultural and generational gap Jordan is making the effort and creating awareness about the issue.
I would like to see him speak his native tongue, then you will see how interested he is in his status as an aboriginal Isn't it actually much more effective for Jordan to speak out in a language that everyone in town understands? This was, after all, a public performance piece - not a claim of just how aboriginal he is.
Jordan, good on you, man. You'd think there would be praise for youth creating awareness on issues like this instead of being slandered for it.
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| Posted 02/11/2009 at 8:28 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Douglas from Corner Brook, NL writes: For the record, it seems my intended quotation marks disappeared from the first sentence of the third paragraph of my original comment. My apologies.
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| Posted 02/11/2009 at 8:43 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Newfoundlander from Newfoundland writes: Awareness is always a good thing, which from the article is what this young man is trying to raise. If you re-read the article he made a statement about land claims. He did not lay blame for it.
As for aboriginal populations, not everyone feels the same as the first poster above. It is your right to feel how you do, but please don't try to impose your will on others. You can be happy to be living how you are but it does not mean all aboriginal people are.
As for what's happened, its about time awareness was raised in another positive way. Too often, the media will only report the 'trouble' not the actual positive and good things that bands are doing all over Canada.
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| Posted 02/11/2009 at 8:50 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Mike from Corner Brook, Nl writes: First, you are right the Indian Act is an antiquated abomination that needs to be repealed. It hasn't, because to do so would require new legislation that the first nations would have to have input on and there is no way that our gov't will agree to the wording that first nations people would want or expect. It is a Pandora's Box that gov't knows will be a lose-lose scenario. So they leave it alone, make policy based on Charter and constitutional provisions and hope that no one notices...however those that are interested...notice.
My problem with Jordan's protest is that he chose to where a head dress. I am mi'kmaq (or mi'kmaw or even micmac which is how it was spelled when I grew up). We hardly wore hats, let alone head dress. Furthermore, the bandana is now symbolic of the so called Mohawk warriors; true warriors never hid their face and those that did apply paint, did so to portray their identity and lineage, similar to the Europeans fighting under a banner.
Jordan, make your statement, it is a good point and one that few Canadians realize, but I would appreciate it more if you did not detract from the message by adopting media-popularized styereotypes.
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| Posted 02/11/2009 at 9:21 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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just sayin from cb, nl writes: he should have been charged with trespassing and littering
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| Posted 02/11/2009 at 10:13 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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White AboArt from STJ, NL writes: Artistic cop-out?
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| Posted 02/11/2009 at 10:24 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Great Scott from Corn Brook, NL writes: Nothing like a nice dollop of bigotry and intolerance first thing in the morning. Goes down great with a cup of coffee. I like mine straight black. Course that doesn't suit everyone. Some folks like to lighten things up with a bit of cream. Maybe even sweetin' the mix with a spoonful of sugar.
You can have yours to suit your own taste.
If you think about it cultural backgrounds are much the same way. Many cultures have had to whiten thing up a bit through the centuries to preserve their way of life or simply to hold on to some sense of who they are.
At times their very survival has depended on it.
This doesn't change the basic brew just makes it easier for some people to swallow. Often times, when cultures blend the lines become blurred much like the way cream swirls around in that black cup of coffee until slowly but surely it changes the entire cup.
Makes it a little more pleasing. You know what? no matter how white that cup gets and no matter how much you dump the sugar to it some folks just don't like coffee.
Some folks just don't like people who remind them that every person in this world isn't just like them.
lol....its a bitter brew get use to it. Might actually change you for the better.
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| Posted 02/11/2009 at 10:40 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Sean Sparkes from Welland, Ontario writes: I commend Jordan for wishing to inform others in a peaceful and respectful manner. Is it so hard for some people to understand the frustration of native peoples in this country? The government of Canada apologized to the Japanese detainees from WWII first, then they apologized to the Chinese immigrants for imposing a head tax, then under much duress, did they apologize to the native peoples of this country for its brutal assimilation.
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| Posted 02/11/2009 at 10:55 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Gerard Kelly from Corner Brook, NL writes: I commend Jordan for this performance piece! Most performance art is esoteric and does not often solicit such passionate responses from the public. More often than not the public feels threatened by public art performances and not knowing how to behave will try to ignore it. Jordan’s statements to the paper only convey a small amount of information about the act he performed. Reading the article about Jordan’s piece is akin to reading a review of a film and then making value judgments about it. It is important that the realization of this piece brought awareness to the public. It is also important to note that the public could respond to this piece about the Indian Act. (Aboriginal people never had that opportunity) The Indian Act is an unfair, and the wording of it is demoralizing, and very prejudice. Jordan is a brave man to step into the light to enlighten us all about this antiquated document. I feel sorry for those people who through lack of knowledge or research speak out publically concerning subjects they have no education about and in so doing present a reflection of their own weaknesses, and short comings.
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| Posted 02/11/2009 at 11:23 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Kieran from Pasadena, Newfoundland writes: Contrary to some people's beliefs a vast majority of Aborginal students do not get fully funded for university. I am proud of what Jordan acomplished, hopefully it can help relieve some of the ignorance surrounding Aboriginal issues. Keep it up!
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| Posted 02/11/2009 at 11:27 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Tara from NL writes: I percieve Jordan's work as an education piece. As made clear by some comments posted, levels of ignorance are high in our province. Jordan saught to educate the public on the destructive power the Indian Act had on indigenous populations in Canada. We should all listen to and learn from Aboriginals, young and old alike. Their history is the history of our country.
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| Posted 02/11/2009 at 12:34 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Gerard Kelly from Corner Brook, NL writes: LOL, and Bend Over ( well named BTW)both wear masks in public, not unlike the KKK. Also not unlike those prejudiced members of this ignorant hate mongering group, they express their own impotence, and inaction using rhetoric more often heard in elementary school yards than in arenas of public debate. Though they make emotional responses, they give us little of substance to reflect upon. He (Jordan)said the bandana in no way was to hide his face, but for people to realize it wasn’t a personal statement, but one for aboriginal people as a whole. What he meant by this I think is exactly what he says. By wearing a bandana he became one of many native voices and was not garnering publicity for his own agenda.
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| Posted 02/11/2009 at 2:57 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Proud from Newfoundland writes: This is a comment to 'lol'. Just because he cannot speak in his 'native tongue' is no reason for him to deny his heritage. As a proud aboriginal myself I will admit I cannot speak my 'native tongue' but that constitutes no grounds for me to deny my heritage and simply just acknowledge my 'white' background. Individuals like you are the cause of the discrimination to modern day Mi'kmaq. As a fellow aboriginal , I commend you Jordan for keeping our heritage alive and keep up the good work.
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| Posted 02/11/2009 at 3:03 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Thomas from Mississauga, Ont writes: This wasn't a halloween stunt , was It ? I'm i suppose 25% Native , the rest being French , Irish and Scottish . I've been part of the Tax paying public for more than 30 yrs now and never had to stick my hand out and beg . Some might call it luck , but i prefer to call it hard work . In all those years in the workforce , i've probably worked alongside people from all countries of the globe at one point or another . Of thousands of people , the only one's i've never had the opportunity to work beside are Native's or Inuit . Why is that ? Can someone explain that ? I've lived next door to an Indian family for eight yrs now , and i wouldn't want it any other way . The difference is that they came to Canada from India fifteen yrs ago and the husband and wife work four jobs between them . They raised their family like most Canadians did , thru hard work . Since i don't know what benefits the Migmaw or Micmac are entitled to , could someone tell me what exactly what they might be . People say they get free ed , but surely it can't be all free . If it is true , then there should be thousands of highly educated Natives out there in the workforce . If they choose to accept the benefit but not apply it , then why bother giving it to them in the first place . I can only imagine if i had someone paying the shot for me when i was going to school . The sky would have been the limit . I could barely attend regular school and did get grade eleven . University was out of the question . As Sinatra once sang , I did It My Way , and glad i did .
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| Posted 02/11/2009 at 3:06 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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kp from AB writes: There really is no way to discuss, or dispute, the validity of persons claiming First Nations/Aboriginal status without being called racist, bigoted or a redneck.
The fact that many Newfoundlanders now are claiming First Nations status, when they never did before does cause some confusion.
There are well over 600 established First Nations communities across the country and other than Conne River (relatively recent), there were NO First Nations communities on the island of Newfoundland, so it is hard to understand where these 12000 Newfoundlan First Nations came from????
Using the logic being used in Newfoundland, there would apparently be several million more First Nations throughout Canada. ANYBODY living in any non-First Nations community whose ancestors may have had QUOTE relations with UNQUOTE an Indian would now be considered a First Nations person!
The fact that the so-called Newfoundland First Nations people are now LEARNING their language, LEARNING how to drum, LEARNING how to make aboriginal things, LEARNING how to wear appropriate clothing, SAYS A LOT!
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| Posted 02/11/2009 at 3:25 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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More Acceptance Needed from Corner Brook, Newfoundland writes: I'm just a little curious ... I don't believe that Mr. Bennett was talking about hand outs or benefits ... did I miss something? Or is this the typically stereotyping that people do?
It goes to show that Newfoundlanders are truly not so accepting of others after all ... especially different races, cultures or even where someone else may be from. We are supposed to have the reputation to be the nicest people on Earth ... well I guess that is wrong. I've never understood such negativity towards an individual because of their heritage or background.
Mr. Bennett ... good for you. There should be more acceptance in this province.
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| Posted 02/11/2009 at 3:36 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Philip Robbins from Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador writes: Good work Jordan!
I can see how the bandanna can be seen as an aggressive image, but you explained its presence well in the article. The images of you working in the church yard are striking. To just sayin from cb this particular church has been accepting of artists in the past and I don't think they would ever charge Jordan with trespassing.
Again, great work Jordan!
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| Posted 02/11/2009 at 4:36 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Heather from Corner Brook, NL writes: Thomas from Mississauga, whoa! That's a lot of hate coming from you, and you should question where it comes from. You're the victim of contemporary INAC propaganda just as Canada's Native people are, by believing all the false hype about money squandered on reserves, stupid lazy indians, etc. Those are stereotypes created by our government to divide and conquer. If you want to blame anyone, blame your own French and English ancestors for creating those Treaties, because as unfair they are to our Indigenous peoples, they did guarantee some securities to the original caretakers of the land, and that includes education and human rights. If you want to talk about billions of dollars squandered, talk to INAC, who prolong and drag out land claims with First Nations that even though INAC always loses (that's just how good those original treaties were, they can't be legally broken) but the government still insists on dragging communities to court and fighting their own responsibility every step of the way. Negative stereotyping is just INAC's PR campaign, and you've succumbed to it.
Jordan should be commended for his fine work. As kp inadvertently pointed out, NL's Aboriginal population gets far too little exposure, but they do exist. Which is more than we can say for the Beothuk.
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| Posted 02/11/2009 at 5:12 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Paul Pike from NL writes: Good job Jordan, it's always good to do our part to educate others, even ourselves. What's most educating about all of this is that racism and intolerance are very alive in NL. For the record, people who put others down by claiming to being more Aboriginal are doing so because they are insecure about there own Nativeness. In Mi'kmaq culture we support each other by lifting each other up, not tearing people down. We are not better than anyone else, nor are we less than. Another point worth mentioning is that First Nation's are not stuck in 1876, we are living cultures that adapt and create. For anyone concerned about Jordan's headress, first of all it's called a Roach, it's made of porcupine and deer hair, the sockets on it in this picture are empty meaning there are no feathers in it. Eagle Feathers are respected and are only used for ceremonies, such as dancing for those who are sick, or to help heal our communities, etc. They are not mere decorations. Tribes in the east coast of North America have always worn roaches, maybe not as long as the ones out west, but they had them and traded with other tribes for them. Many Mi'kmaq men today wear them in dance.They originate from warrior societies long ago. We have lost alot to colonialism, and have never given up our identity as Mi'kmaq people. Even without federal recognition in NL, the people did there best to remember who they are, that's why WE DIDN'T FORGET and that's why Canada is trying to correct it's error from 1949. For the ignorant out there, just because you were taught in the school system of the day that we did not exist, doesn't mean we didn't. I hope more racist people come out of there closets, let's turn on the lights so the healing can begin. Msit Nokamaq {We are all related}
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| Posted 02/11/2009 at 5:40 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Paul Pike from NL writes: I just wanted to add that this article is not about how to be more Aboriginal, it's not about how to dress as a warrior, it's not even about whether or not Mi'kmaq are Indigenous to NL. It's about an artistic statement about the Indian Act created by a Mi'kmaq person. As far as I know it doesn't put other races down, it doesn't even put other Nations down. It simply explores a Govt. Document and clarifies it in a way to bring about awareness of it's facts. Can't anyone else see the nonsense that's being printed on here out of ignorance and maybe even jealousy of the Artist?
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| Posted 02/11/2009 at 5:49 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Myles Carter from Sudbury, Ontario writes: LOL: I've known Jordan for the last 6 years and It's very obvious that he knows his culture very well and represents it in a more than respectable way.
The article doesn't speak to the acclaim that he has received on a national level for his works. I feel this is equally as important and valid as art and as a piece of protest. As an easterner, every time I hear of what's coming from this guy, I feel proud that we produce such strong and independent artists of all sorts.
Hats off to you Jordan and continue this sort of thing, it shows the kind of talent, thought and quality of work that comes from SWGC as well as Newfoundland in general.
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| Posted 02/11/2009 at 6:14 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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madonna louvelle from stephenville crossing, nl writes: Qwe' Jordan,
First of all, I'd like to congratulate you for being such a wonderful artist - it must be a native thing - and for using your artistic talent to honor your own Mi'kmaw culture. Secondly, I'd like to say
'thanks for taking a stand, for not being ashamed of who you are and of not being suppressed by society who thinks ill of it all.
You will always be ridiculed by some for what you do, but you must never lose focus in keeping your culture alive. You must always pray for those who condemn you because they do not understand. Just as we are not able to walk in their system, neither are they able to do the same. A great barrier exists. And it is a shame because we both have so much to offer.
If we dress them in hides with a bow in winter and set them in the woods, would they survive? We do not ask the non-aboriginals who walk on our lands to produce documents in proof of who they are. And if the treaties had been written for the benefit of the aboriginals, you would not be speaking out for justice and equality or feeling inferior in any way.
Our identities were changed, our pride was taken as well as our lands but remember Jordan, we allowed it. We created our own sufferings and struggles for survival because we were a nieve, trusting and peaceful people who walked away. Stand your ground.
Art and music are important parts of any culture.
As for the person who say's he/she is aboriginal 25% or was aboriginal - no percentage determines if you are indeed aboriginal. You will know in your heart and in your spirit. Seek it out and be proud of it also.
Welanin, Strawberry Heart
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| Posted 02/11/2009 at 7:04 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Ktaqmkuk from NL writes: KP from AB, I think you need to do some research my friend. I know this article is not about this topic however, you seem like you could benefit from some updated info. Who do you think guided early explorers into the interior of NL way back in history? Why on earth would the European explorers hire Mi'kmaq and Innu people to take them inland if they were'nt Native to the land?If they were'nt Native to the Island and have intimate knowledge of it, wouldn't it make sense that the explorers would have just gone on there own without Aboriginal guidance? I once knew a man who was born in 1876, he was 117 when he died in 1991. He said there was always something to learn everyday from everyone. Aboriginals are not only learning, but also remembering, using, and sharing language and traditions with all Canadians. Culture is alive, not a frozen memory of time. By the way, the mercenary myth has been proven untrue in court and the Beothuks share DNA related to the Mi'kmaq, see 2007 DNA research info. To day I have learned that there are still many people who do not know much about Indigenous NL despite so much news and research documents.
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| Posted 02/11/2009 at 9:55 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Just Wondering from NL writes: Just wondering if any of those who have appllied as a founding member of the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation Band has had any problems with the process?
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| Posted 02/11/2009 at 10:30 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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kp from AB writes: Ktaqmkuk, is that updated info or revisionist info you want me to read?
I know the Mikmaq were around for many years, hunting, fishing trapping, guideing, etc, etc.
And I said that Conne River IS a FN community, but I dispute that the majority of Newfoundlanders on the west coast no claiming First Nations status are anymore Indian than I am.
I KNOW many of them who are NOT! I KNOW many of them who I grew up with (I am 50 plus) who were NEVER Indians! They never identified themselves as Indians AND NO, they were not hiding the fact out of fear or shame or whatever! They just were not Indians.
BUT, now that there is a possibility of getting Non-insured Health Benefits, free/subsidized education for their children/grandchildren, and whatever else they can get NOW THEY ARE WAR-WHOOPING, DRUM BEATING, DREAM CATCHER MAKING Indians.
And to do this all they have to do is claim a tenuous relationship to some long dead relative who may or may not have had carnal relation with a Mikmaq.
Granted, I will admit there may be some Newfoundlanders who did maitain a link to their ancestry as FN people but only some, and certainly not 12000.
Many of these people are scamming the system.
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| Posted 03/11/2009 at 2:02 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Ktaqmkuk from NL writes: AP from AB, Here are some links for you to look at though it may not matter to you:
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/114037537/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0
http://www.exec.gov.nl.ca/royalcomm/research/pdf/Hanrahan.pdf
With regard to revisionist, shouldn't history be examined for it's truth and bias? If we didn't do that then the world would still think the earth is flat and not round. It seems like good science to me to question what's been written especially when it comes from one cultural perspective. I have read some archival journals of early priests and Govt. agents of what they described seeing. They wrote from the idea that Aboriginals were inferior to them, like they were to be the standard of humanity. Totally obsurd. Do I question there descriptions of what they described seeing? You bet. People can describe what they think is happening, and be totally wrong due to their inability or unwillingness to understand the cutural context of the event. I can guarantee you that there were'nt many books written from the Mi'kmaq perspective back then. In NL, we didn't even speak engish in those days. It's true there are some misguided people of Mi'kmaq descent with hurtful intensions with regards to federal recognition. They will crawl back into there holes when they realize it's not what they expected. There are also many many people who really didn't have a clue who they were growing up because of the effects of colonialization generationally. That doesn't mean they do not deserve to embrace there heritage today. There are also people of other cultures that are just now starting to embrace there identity that they were once detached from, Who am I to say they shouldn't do that? It seems like a natural part of human development to want to understand who you are and where you come from. Whether you come from Celtic, Baltic, Germanic, African, or North American Aboriginal tribal Nations, be proud of who you are and feel free to be yourself and share your traditions with your family as the Creator made you.
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| Posted 03/11/2009 at 3:45 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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kp from AB writes: I'm not going to debate history or the injustices inflicted on Indians in the passed, or whether those injustices were intentional or based on good/bad reasoning.
My main issue is with the BOGUS claims being submitted by some based on very little linkage to an aboriginal ancestry so they can get certain benefits. In other words SCAMMERS!
If I were to research my ancestry and find that my great great grandfather was the Mi kmaq guide who guided that english fellow across Newfoundland, that would NOT make me an Indian! If my great great granfather was a Indian Scout with Gen Custer, that would not make me an Indian.
I work with Indians every day, they can trace their ancestry back many many years, they have lived or been connected to their ancestrial homes for hundreds/thousands of years, THEY ARE FIRST NATIONS PEOPLE.
Old Jarge from Benoits Cove or the Cape, now claiming to be an Indian, is most likely not an Indian. 1/32 of Indian blood does not make anyone an Indian.
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| Posted 04/11/2009 at 12:33 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Ktaqmkuk from NL writes: KP from AB, I totally understand your point. I guess it comes down to how a person comes to the determination of being Indian. I bet if you asked 100 Indians that question you'd get 100 different answers. The same could be asked how is it that a person defines themselves as being Canadian. You see First Nations people see themselves as citizens of Tribal Nations. One thing I know for sure, and you can ask ANY Aboriginal Nation in North America this question. Who came up with the whole blood quantum requirement for tribal status? The answer you'll recieve is the Federal Govt. You see, the idea is that if you fall below a certain blood quantum such as 1/4 for many tribes, then you no longer qualify for FEDERAL tribal enrolment and are no longer a Federal responsibility. Now imagine that in order to qualify to be enroled as a Celtic Newfoundlander by the Federal Govt. you'd have to be a minimum of 1/8 blood and show documents that clearly state that you come from a Celtic community in Ireland. That does seem ridiculous doesn't it? Blood quantum doesn't make you an Indian, just as it doesn't make you more of a Canadian.
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| Posted 04/11/2009 at 4:32 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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