I am likely not the only one who has heard people say things such as, “Native people get everything handed to them”, and “…they don’t pay any taxes”, and then they contradict themselves by saying, “Native people still face poverty in their communities due to laziness and addiction.” It is evident that they do not get everything handed to them. Only those who have status and live and work on reserve receive tax exemptions. For more information visit this blog. I certainly do not have all the answers and I likely never will, but I do know that these are myths. In Gord Downie’s, The Secret Path, it is mentioned in the panel discussion at the end of the video, that many preconceived notions and misconceptions such as these, cause barriers for meaningful conversation to unfold, and I could not agree more. I perceive it as ignorance, by choice. Some people simply just do not know due to a lack of education, but many people choose to be ignorant of certain information because it is easier to live everyday in their own bubbles, than to face the truth.

The word Trepidation is also brought to light in the panel discussion, meaning: a feeling of fear that causes you to hesitate because you think something bad or unpleasant is going to happen. It is said that this occurs often when a project such as Gord’s presents itself. I believe it. It is true that Canada does not have a history of listening to Indigenous People’s. Therefore, projects such as Gord’s are seen as intimidating. The news and media try to avoid broadcasting certain issues involving the First Nations, Metis, and Inuit (FNMI) Culture, because, well… “Ignorance is bliss”, right? Thankfully, there are Indigenous People’s, as well as, Ally’s who are not afraid to stand together, enabling the power of community to triumph over any barriers of awareness and communication of the truth, that stand in their way.