On the Western Edge of Indian Country

Page 4

I've been asked to speak at an Aboriginal youth career conference and I always wonder what I should be telling the youth. I know there's no right or wrong when it comes to speaking to them if you speak from the heart, but I wonder if I tell them what they need to hear.

My personal experiences in working in the media have been generally very positive. It is something that I love and it isn't really work to me because I enjoy what I do for a living. I have worked in journalism as the editor of Coyoti Prints, Secwepemc News, Windspeaker, and Kahtou. I have done a little bit of television and a little bit of radio. Those are not my strongest areas, though, and I readily admit it.

If you are an Aboriginal youth who is looking to work in the media, the cornerstone is writing. I don't really consider myself much of a writer because I try to do everything from the heart but I have learned to love writing. Other things that I have learned along the way are such things as knowing Aboriginal history and asking lots of questions.

I say Aboriginal history because it is different from the history that is generally taught in schools. History is always taught by the dominant society to perpetuate their theories of the state and how they came to wrongfully acquire our lands, waters and lives. Aboriginal history is the history of the local First Nations who live on their traditional lands and waters. It is the creation stories, the legends, the mythical figures, the people who lived on the land, the stories about hunting and fishing, the politics and drama of everyday life and the humor of living. That is Aboriginal history and it is real.

You must also study the chiefs and councils, the hereditary systems of governance, the institutions of Aboriginal people. Critical analysis of how those organizations work (or don't work) is an important feature of working in the media. I have also found that just being critical isn't enough - you must balance that perspective off by offering solutions as well.

You must really love reading. I devour magazines like Aboriginal Voices and Outside magazine. I like the Georgia Straight (a Vancouver news and entertainment weekly) because it is an alternative to the Vancouver Sun which I try to read every day. I enjoy a good book and have recently finished Terry Glavin's book A Death Feast in Dimlahamid. It was an excellent read and is written in an entertaining style and documents events in northern British Columbia around the blockades by Wet'suwet'en and Gitxsan peoples. It is an excellent historical analysis written from the perspective of someone who actually sat at the roadblocks with the people.

I am also halfway through Peace Power Righteousness, An Indigenous Manifesto by Taiaiake Alfred. It is incredible because it tries in a very successful manner to put into words the things that every Aboriginal man or woman has been struggling with since contact with our non-Native brothers. It is about the reconstruction of Aboriginal institutions by using culture and language as a filter. If you ever struggled with these concepts this is a must read.

I also watch television and in particular the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. Although it is in its infancy it offers compelling viewing nonetheless. Particularly the newsmagazine formats that dominate the schedule right now. First Music and the Arts is really good viewing because it offers an eastern viewpoint that is told in a fresh and invigorating style by Waneek Horn. She is a talent and will bear some watching because she will be going places fast. I also watch First Story because it is West Coast and is fresh and often insightful.

I am a news fanatic as well and try to watch a bit of news each day on television but pick up most of the breaking news from the internet and my newsgroups on e-mail.

Ask lots of questions and don't be afraid of being in the spotlight. If you are the shy, quiet type this probably isn't the work for you.

The final thig that I have to offer is don't be ashamed of who you are - be proud of your history and stand tall. If you had a traumatic childhood like I did, then heal yourself and move on. Grow to accept your responsibilities and be willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

That's the way I see it anyway - putucw.