Learning from indigenous voices on twitter

The other day a friend asked me who is doing good writing that can inform her own journey with reconciliation.  She is a very involved white woman, doing work with universities and indigenous communities and even she was having trouble finding good resources to keep her learning going and share with others.

I couldn’t point her to sources for a couple of reasons. First, the world is moving really quickly, and good articles and papers that are written are often out of date fairly quickly. But more important, to get published, a writer often has to sanitize the outrage, emotional cost and downright tiredness that comes with being a visible indigenous voice in this world.

I am convinced that you cannot understand what reconciliation really needs to be unless you are immersed this emotional edge. The work of repairing, honouring and building relationships between settler and indigenous people in Canada is hard work and requires a lifetime to undertake.  This is not easy, it will never be easy and there will be a mix of joy and anger, surprise and offence. It is worthy work.

For me, this is where twitter is immensely helpful.  Twitter has amplified indigenous voices without sanitizing the raw, daily reality of living in country where the IDEAL of reconciliation is so far away from what is actually happening.  For non-indigenous people, listening is important but so too is action.

These twitter accounts are some of the best I have in my feed at the moment. They are honest, thoughtful, engaging, and powerful voices. They will connect you to other voices in the indigenous twitter sphere and they will illuminate the news and events that escape the attention of the main stream media.  Following their accounts and their networks expands my horizons every day.

@KimTallBear (Dakota) a Professor and a supporter of indigenous science and technology.

@apihtawikosisan (Metis) Chelsea Vowel is a writer and mother who has made a name for herself busting myths about indigenous people and issues. Her writing is real, honest and forthright.

@Terrilltf (Blackfoot).  Terrel Tailfeathers mostly retweets lots of resources and perspectives. He helps me find new sources and voices.

@rjjago (Kwantlen). Robert Jago is an uncompromising writer and an entrepreneur who tweets lots of impactful threads about settler – indigenous relationships.

@indigenousxca A shared twitter account that features a new indigenous host every week, usually a person in academia. Amazing diversity of voices and perspectives here.

@RussDiabo (Mohawk).  I have known Russ Diabo for many years. He is an expert in indigenous law and title and is a brilliant commentator on politics and policy matters affecting indigenous communities and nations. He publishes an occasional First Nations strategic bulletin

@APTNNews is Canada’s national Aboriginal Peoples Television Network.  Covers news in indigenous communities and national issues from the lens of impact on indigenous peoples.

@UBCIC is the twitter account of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs that tweets out articles and perspectives on issues facing BC indigenous communities and beyond.

EDITED: to add @Indigenousxca.