A Tainted Legacy

So, tomorrow would mark the raising of the John T. Williams Memorial Totem Pole, as well as John's birthday.

And as I look back on the events that so abruptly ended John's life, I also think about what kind of man he was.

John was a 7th generation woodcarver, and I will say was definitely one of the greater ones of his line. While yes, John was admittedly an alcoholic, and had a long record of offenses recorded with Seattle Police Department, including and not limited to public drunkenness, and indecent exposure; we has also a man with a huge heart, and a kind demeanor.

You see John was one of many of us aboriginals who fell prey to the system.

Being aboriginal means that we either live on the rez with abhorrent living conditions, inadequate education, limited job opportunities, and rampant substance abuse; or we struggle off rez with our limited job skills, poor education and again the occasional substance abuse. And John was no different.

While yes, many of his carvings sold at Ye Old Curiosity Shop for hundreds to thousands of dollars...sadly, John never really seen much of that money, as yet again, we in the marginalized communities fall prey to others would would exploit our gifts. $50 for a carving they buy off us in turn retails several thousand to the reseller and they pocket the profit and there is no kick back to the artist.

In lieu of the tragic death of John, aboriginals were brought to the limelight, and there was much debate over whether or not John got what was coming to him. And sadly, many felt that this was just another chapter in the tainted legacy of another "Indian" with substance abuse problems. Yup, you heard me right, who gives two shits about a "drunken vagrant, a status-check-blowing alcoholic, a public nuisance"? Even if he comes from one of the longest living legacies that has helped make Seattle what it is?

So often society turns a blind eye and gobbles up the sensationalized garbage that depicts aboriginal life. We see someone who is born to poverty, lives in poverty, and yet rather than do anything to help, we chastise, we scrutinize, and we turn away rather than help, rather than educate.

Very few of us aboriginals actually make it out of the poverty and struggle successfully to make something of ourselves. Very few of us go on to graduate from high school, pursue secondary education, earn degrees, and become successful. Even with the AICF and many bursaries and grants in Canada (which are few and far between), what hope does on have of getting out and bettering oneself if when they leave, land is claimed back by the federal government from reserve land? No wonder suicide is so high among aboriginals. When everything has been taken from you...including your dignity, what do you have left? Exactly, nothing.

So, with the raising of John's totem pole, I think about what a sad, tainted legacy we aboriginals have to live up to...and yes I deliberately said live UP to. Society gives us no other option because they enjoy keeping us downtrodden.

With the raising of the totem pole I am reminded of how so many stepped up and acknowledged that the plight and legacy of aboriginals is a pathetic way to live, and that even in the worst cases, we still deserve dignity and humanity. So many cried out that what happened to John was so inherently wrong, but I ask, where were they when so many of us died from exposure under freeway overpasses and in doorways? Where were they when we cried out needing help? Where were they this whole time?

One act of consciousness, and conscience does not erase DECADES, CENTURIES of apathy.

Yes, it is a start, but where will you all be when the totem is raised and life goes on? Will you be out there comforting us, assisting us, and educating folks to what we all have to face? Will you be doing anything but sipping on your Starbucks and tutting about how sad it is, and how tragic? Probably not. After all, why should you care? Aren't they just drunk "Indians" who care for nothing but where their next drink is coming from?

I can tell you, if you took the time to stop and listen, you would learn we are so much more. We are merely a different version of you. No greater, and certainly no less.

So, when the totem is raised, will you go back to your comfy life and think, "That was sweet." and then soon forget, or will you always see the shadows of John, his father Ray, and countless others of us in every corner  you look and actually do something about it.

I hope and pray for the latter. Because obviously we cannot do it on our own.