Elder Marie Oldfield on Ways Forward
Mar 04, 2025Given that we have lived with the impacts of oppressive laws, acts, etc., and also the huge impacts of residential schools, day school, 60’s scoop, and the continuing use of MCFD and the legal systems….
Also given the continued use of alcohol, drugs, and systems designed to keep us dependent….
Given the apathy, depression, resentment, hopelessness and the seeming surrender that we seem to be living….
Given that ALL of the above has led to violent, destructive, abusive choices for a great number of reasons and is becoming increasingly generational in destroying our people….
1. How do we address the people on the lands that we currently live on and challenge them to do better?
2. How do we address the historical issues and negative behaviours that are being passed down?
3. Do we challenge our older generation?
4. What does a “Traditional Justice” system look like when we think of the current state of our people and the negative impacts that have/are being inflicted to this day?
5. What or where do we draw “healthy” people from to run a “Justice” circle if the abuses that have occurred are generational and haven’t been addressed?
6. Is it time to bring back “Shame Feasts”?
I have turned this over in my heart and mind and have come to a complete stop.
We live in small, interrelated communities. That in itself means that doing anything can be extremely challenging and complicated. We’re related….no matter which way we go.
I honour and respect that our older generation has been subjected to torturous abuse and admire that they are still here, still standing.
Unfortunately, if the past hasn’t been addressed and is continuing to be treated as a secret, then have we come to a point where we can’t have a Justice Circle without going outside our own communities? Am I missing something?
What do we do? We certainly seem to need more than we currently have.
