tansi ninôtemik,
We all carry within us an intricate web of privileges and oppressions. For instance, privilege is an invisible backpack that we wear throughout our lives. Others may not see it, but that invisible backpack carries strengths that guide our experiences. Whether that is one’s socioeconomic status or access to education, these factors add to each individual’s privilege.
It is crucial that we are aware of our privileges, especially in a professional setting. The importance of this is reflected through Member of Parliament (MP) Randy Boissonnault. While his team states that he has never explicitly claimed to be Indigenous, his political party have claimed it on his behalf and gone so far as honouring him as an Indigenous political candidate in publications.[1] MP Boissonnault’s questionable Indigenous heritage was flaunted on social media, and he was even identified as one of ten Indigenous Liberal candidates to be elected to the House of Commons.[2]
MP Boissonnault served on the Indigenous Liberal Caucus from 2016 to 2019, with a brief break when he lost his Edmonton seat and won it back in 2021.[3] The Indigenous Liberal Caucus has described itself as “a caucus of MPs who are First Nation, Metis and Inuit” from various ridings throughout Canada and Turtle Island.[4] They have also highlighted that elected MPs are chosen from “coastal, northern, remote and urban areas and represent a broad cross section of who Indigenous people are.”[5]
MP Boissannault has not only claimed himself as “adopted Cree” or “non-status adopted Cree” on various occasions in and out of the House of Commons, but he has also made mention of his adoptive “full-blooded” Cree great-grandmother five times in Parliament from 2016 to 2019.[6] University of Saskatchewan’s Indigenous research chair, Robert Henry, has described the MP as more of an ally, stating he has never before heard of the term “non-status adopted Cree”.[7] The MP has now shifted from references to his Cree heritage since 2016, to claiming he is “white” and replacing mentions of his Cree heritage from social media with a note of his adopted family as “status Métis”.[8]
Clearly, the claim of Indigenous heritage has afforded MP Boissonnault privileges for years, but Indigeneity is not a mere label one can put on and take off as they please. For Indigenous people, their heritage is a significant part of their identity which is rooted in community, their lived experiences, and often, generations of systemic marginalization and resilience. To exploit this identity without holding the weight of its struggles, undermines the significance of what it truly means to be Indigenous.
It is vital that positions of power meant for Indigenous people are filled by Indigenous people. Anything less than this continues to perpetuate the cycle of exclusion and erasure that Indigenous people have fought against for generations.
ekosi.
The ReconciliACTION Team.
Citations
[1] Kate McKenna, “Boissonnault faces new scrutiny over his statements on family’s Indigeneity” (last modified 18 November 2024), online: <https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/boissonnault-metis-claims-1.7383775>.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Christopher Nardi & Stephanie Taylor, “For years, Liberals said this MP was Indigenous. He’s not” (last modified 15 November 2024), online: <https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/randy-boissonnault-indigenous-claims-3> [Nardie & Taylor].
[4] Indigenous Peoples’ Commission, “Indigenous Liberal Caucus” (20 August, 2017), online: <https://ipc-cpa.liberal.ca/indigenousmps/>.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Nardi & Taylor, supra note 3.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid.
[Image] APTN National News, "Randy Boissonnault out of cabinet over Indigeneity claims" (20 November 2024), online: <https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/randy-boissonnault-out-of-cabinet-over-indigeneity-claims/>.