Welcome Advice Shared from Odanak Chief Rick Obomsawin

From the regular column in the Abenaki Reserve at Odanak’s Wôbanaki Pilaskw (Winter 2021) newsletter

Word from the Chief

I would like to speak to an issue in our community/country, that of cultural appropriation vs. cultural appreciation. In the stories I’m told, I don’t believe our ancestors fought about appropriation. I always hear stories about how opened we were to welcoming other nations. We learned and shared among each other as well as with other nations. Our shared set of beliefs and values resulted in our symbols, dances, rites of passage and so much more. 

When I see all the events surrounding this issue, I am reminded of the trickster: he who distracts us from our vision and tricks us into thinking that the solution is in rivalry on the subject. I was taught that it was not ours to police the spirits. To focus on what is constantly distracting us from the important work we need to do is futile. The hate that we give separates us from each other as well as from the important work of re-weaving the invaluable threads of our Nation and restore what is ours. 

We need to shift our focus and bring it back to the hub, the heart of our Nation. We must work together so our people can thrive, no exclusions. We must continue to restore the broken pieces of our heritage. A heritage so indecently disturbed by a “civilized world” that saw no value in respecting our different reality. Let’s do better. 

The challenge for us is to restore our foundation. 

Maintaining our connection with one another is our best chance. We need to come together knowing that each one of us carries a very important voice, necessary to the resolution for our nation. While the times force us to be separated from each other, we can focus on our family’s piece. When we meet again we can exchange and begin to put those pieces together. 

History has dealt us a story that separates us; let us work together on a better story. Our children and grandchildren are counting on and learning from us. 

In peace and friendship, 

Chief Richard O’Bomsawin