Watt-Cloutier objects to remark about honours

I am writing in response to Kenn Harper’s Oct. 7th Taissumani column that explicitly stated it was “not a very good idea” to have a living Inuk honoured on a Canadian stamp.

While Mr. Harper’s comments were largely directed at me, if one reads between the lines, his words undermine all Inuit and deny our right to achievement, dignity and respect while we are alive.

Mr. Harper proposes that it is only appropriate to honour “deceased native Canadians” because “the living can yet embarrass the nation.”

As two of his three examples, he cites the case of David Ahenakew, an indigenous leader stripped of his Order of Canada, and a former Premier of Greenland who faced criminal charges.

While these are unfortunate cases, Mr. Harper uses them to justify his argument that historians are the only credible people to judge the achievements of others, and that one must die before their achievements can be honored.

That he focused on aboriginal failures is telling, it has an underlying racist tone, and as such he implies extra precaution should be made in recognizing living aboriginal people.

What about the other three non-aboriginal “Canadians Who Made a Difference” and will also be honoured on a Canadian stamp? Harper is silent on this matter, perhaps because they are non-aboriginal, and therefore in his eyes they have less of chance of embarrassing the nation.

While I have received public acknowledgment for my life’s work, it has always been with a great deal of humility, and I have viewed this recognition as a collective victory because it helps to raise the profile of the issues at hand. Feedback from our communities has always affirmed this collective sense of accomplishment and for that I am truly grateful.

Each time an Inuk or Aboriginal person is honoured for their contribution, it helps break common stereotypes that we are failures, and creates openings to model new possibilities for our youth. It also injects a boost of perseverance for those “still alive” to carry on, to stay connected to the next generation and the Inuit world as a whole.

I don’t speak only of myself. I speak of many fellow Inuit who have been recognized for their remarkable work whether they be leaders, artists, filmmakers, educators…the list goes on.

In writing this I do not ask Kenn Harper the historian, to “come around” to better understand these issues so he may be part of re-writing history. As Inuit, we are keenly aware of those who have developed “expertise,” often at our expense, as these individuals come to see themselves as the authority on many issues affecting our Inuit world.

I write this for women, girls, and all youth with whom I feel a sense of responsibility to respond, and for all Inuit and other aboriginal peoples whose life’s work and contributions may bring them public acknowledgement. As a collective, we are breaking new ground, and this is evident because a living Inuk woman will be on a Canadian stamp.

It is truly a humbling experience to be alive to witness it.
Finding one’s own voice as an aboriginal person, believing in what you do and not letting external criticism or recognition define who you are is the real challenge.

Bridging divides is not easy work, however bridges many of us must continue to be. That is my main message in this response.

I am grateful to Kenn Harper’s commentary and although I found he chose to write it in such a troubling way, it nevertheless has given me the opportunity to express my sentiments on issues that I have wanted to convey for some time.

Siila Watt-Cloutier
Iqaluit

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