Good one. When I’m in a coffee shop I’ve occasionally told the person in front, “no, that’s their job… they get it for you”. You can imagine the mirthful atmosphere I create.
Have you ever been in the socially awkward situation of being around someone who says something that is inappropriate and culturally offensive? Have you ever done it yourself? Chances are you have been in both situations as there are many phrases and comments peppered throughout our language that may seem innocuous but have connotations you may be unaware of. In promoting and supporting Indigenous awareness, cultural competency, and mutual respect, it is our goal with this blog to provide a reliable resource for people seeking information. In this article, we have a selection of phrases and questions that should be avoided - whether in the company of Indigenous individuals or not. There are many, many more culturally offensive phrases and colloquialisms that target other groups but as our focus is Indigenous Peoples in Canada, we have accumulated a list that specifically targets Indigenous people. Here you go - but beware, some may surprise you: "CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS DISCOVERED THE NEW WORLD" There is still a widely held perception that the Americas were essentially empty when Columbus arrived in 1492 to “discover” the New World. Here’s an article with a short video clip of mine regarding Christopher Columbus and his “discovery” of America. "HEY, CHIEF" This salutation has the potential to trivialize both the hereditary chief who has the power passed down from one generation to the next along bloodlines or other cultural protocols and the elected chief who is chosen by band members. Being called "Chief" can make people feel very uncomfortable, especially if they are not chiefs. "TOO MANY CHIEFS, AND NOT ENOUGH INDIANS" A very good friend helped us with this colloquialism. He tells a story about a meeting he attended in the course of his consulting work with a large organization. The organization had many people from many different departments working on a relationship-building initiative. During the multi-meetings, it became evident that direction was lacking. Our friend then said “We have a problem. It seems to me that we have too many chiefs and not enough Indians.” He said it was perhaps the most embarrassing moment of his life. The silence that ensued went on forever. If it were not for his existing good relationship with the community he may not have survived the statement. As it was, that moment became a long-running joke around the multi-party table, with the Indigenous representatives taking every opportunity to remind him of the “Indian chief surplus problem”. Needless to say, such expressions no longer have a place in his business vocabulary. [1] "CIRCLE THE WAGONS" "Circle the wagons" translates to “the savages are coming and we are about to be attacked”. Hollywood movies about settlers in North America moving west to invade and inhabit the traditional territories of First Peoples contributed greatly to the formation of this phrase. "HOLD DOWN THE FORT" This is a very common phrase in the corporate world. It stems from the settlers and soldiers building forts to resist the stereotypical North American "savage" when they were "on the warpath". "THEY’RE ON THE WARPATH" The decision to go to war was not an easy decision or even a first decision. Not all communities would have described it as such. I have never heard an Indigenous person say “hey, we should go on the warpath”. Seems to come from cheesy westerns and sports fight songs. The modern version of the Washington Redskins’ fight song includes the line "Braves on the warpath!". The original version actually says: Braves on the warpath ! Fight for old Dixie ! Scalp em, Swamp em, We will take em big score ! A headline in the Economist as recently as Sept. 19, 2015, read "On the electoral war-path" - media is often a purveyor of stereotyping Indigenous Peoples. "WE SHOULD GET TOGETHER AND HAVE A POWWOW ABOUT THAT" Powwows are social gatherings for ceremonial and celebratory purposes and are conducted under strict protocol. Using this phrase to refer to a quick business meeting denigrates the long, cultural significance of the powwow. "RAIN DANCE" The rain dance is an ancient ceremonial dance for many cultures who perform the dance in the belief it will bring rain and keep their harvest safe. A weather person in BC got herself in quite a bit of trouble for using this one on air - she did, however, handle the situation well. "LOW MAN ON THE TOTEM POLE/CLIMBING THE TOTEM POLE" Totem poles are very sacred items to the people who carve and display them. Figures carved on totem poles represent familial legends, clan lineages or notable events. In some First Nation communities, being low on the totem pole is actually a higher honour than being on the top. [2] "INDIAN TIME" The inference is that all Indians are late. Keep in mind that you may hear this being used by First Nation individuals but don’t let this usage lull you into thinking it’s okay for you to use the term. [3] Please see the Humour article referenced in #4 “Too many chiefs, not enough Indians”. "INDIAN SUMMER" Again, the inference can be that all Indians are late and that an Indian summer is a late summer. Many people in response have said, “But I use this phrase in the highest respect for a beautiful time of the year.” Remember that it may not be your intention to offend anyone but the phrase has a history and by using this term you may have a negative impact on the people with whom you are trying to work. [4] "INDIAN GIVER" This one has slipped off the lips of more than one celebrity. We did some research on its background and how it came to be so ingrained in the vernacular of North Americans.
Very convenient to book tickets for our Cineplex movie visits online and select our preferred seats, but that privilege costs an extra $3.00 compared to just lining up and buying your tickets at the box office, or a ticket machine (which I was advised not to use as they often don't work) The so called "booking fee" is currently "on sale" for $2.00!
By chance from a FB Marketplace ad, I recently purchased a very nice sea kayak (with rudder) from a former neighbour of mine who I hadn't seen for 20 years and we now regularly play the card partner game, Canasta (Canadian version), using 4 decks of cards, with Nancy and her indigenous partner, Brad. A slight Freudian slip, or faux pas occurred last time out when after counting our points, my partner innocently stated, "That's all for us Indians". Brad was not offended and took it very well. Canasta is a very good card game with many versions, originally developed in Brazil as a less serious, more informal Bridge type game.
In the early 1970's when I worked on a Norwegian crewed geophysical research ship, my much older colleague, Mike Y, often used to talk about getting "a slack handful of Alice" and when sailing into Oporto and the new Norwegian crew, including a young Adonis long haired blond boy, was waiting to board, Mike piped up, "Guess who's in the barrel tonight"!
"We are where we are" I hate that expression because it's inevitably said to me by people at work that didn't heed my warnings in the first place, plus it's a cop out to avoid attributing blame when sometimes it's necessary.
