Systemic Injustice

Systemic Injustice examines how the continued presence of Indigenous mascots demonstrates a profound culture of Indigenous racism. Mascots are not the primary problem, but a symptom of Canada’s gaslighting of Indigenous racism. It should make you question whether Canada is the country you think or hope, it is.

The course is divided into 12 segments to break down the irregularities Indigenous mascots represent and to try to understand why mainstream Indigenous racism is tolerated. The inconsistencies between Canada’s aspirations for its culture and the reality of its embedded Indigenous racism, the systemic bias, is there for everyone to see but is not discussed like the emperor’s nudity. Canadians’ virtue signal at every opportunity, praising the country’s progress in Indigenous relations without loosening its grip over Indigenous peoples.

Mascots Preserve Cultural Racism

Mascots preserve traditional Indigenous racism. It is more than just harmless fun at sporting events. Mascots indicate that a lesser for of respect is tolerated towards Indigenous cultures. They are not the problem, but only a symptom of Canada’s much larger problem with Indigenous racism.

Making Indigenous mascots a Human Rights concern.

Indigenous mascot teams are supported by people in the community who turn a blind eye to the harm of mascots. The goal of my activism was to make clear that when governments, companies, sponsors, educators, and people financially support Indigenous mascots they perpetuate racism against Indigenous people.

Scientific Racism, the Discovery Doctrine, and the evils of Indigenous Racism

The refusal to address mascots as contributing to a hostile environment for Indigenous people made me believe there was something more to Indigenous racism than individuals protecting their use. It became clear that mascots allow colonial, religion-based, and white supremacist racism to persist in mainstream society. 

Qalipu & The Consequences of First Contact

The Qalipu are a new First Nation band that recognizes the heritage of Indigenous people in Newfoundland. The harm to people in Qalipu in Canada was defined by the shame we were taught to feel about our Indigenous heritage. 

Unexpected Resistance to Remove Mascots

When I started my activism versus mascots, I thought all I would have to do was to make clear that show how mascots made schools unsafe and unaccepting for Indigenous people, and people would buy in. The policies I learned in teacher’s college made me believe these rules were absolute and universal.  

Mascots are a Human Rights Issue.

The question is whether human rights are truly universal. The inconsistencies between the promised protections from human rights and those available to the Indigenous people are numerous. Unfortunately, many Indigenous think they can speak for others’ human rights.  

Double Standard for Indigenous Discrimination

It has become clear to me that there is a double standard for what is considered racist for most people are what is racist for Indigenous people. For example, Black face is universally seen as racist but red face is tolerated. Through mascots, racist images and stereotypes persist in the mainstream.

Denying Racism in Sports

There is a disconnect for public standards for inclusion and the prevalence of Indigenous racism in sports. It is common to see people stand against racism as they support or wear Indigenous mascot wear.

Genocide and Proof of Genocide

Mathematically, it is hard to deny the effects of North America’s effort to eliminate Indigenous people. Policies used to destroy the Indigenous population were calculated and more successful in eliminating Indigenous people than other architects of genocide. 

Moving Forward: Addressing Cultural Racism

My experience in Canada’s Human Rights Tribunals makes me doubt they are ready to deal with the immense task of undoing Systemic prejudice or Systemic Injustice in Canada.

Failure to Act

My experience with the Human Rights Tribunal has caused me to lose my faith in Canada’s justice system. 

Conclusion

The removal of Indigenous mascots requires the recognition that Indigenous people are entitled to equal rights in Canada. We are not lesser beings, our societies are primitive or savage, and Canada must come to terms with the criminal aspects of our past.