INDIGENOUS

ALLY
TOOLKIT
 “SO YOU WANT TO
BE AN ALLY.”
- L a m o n t, A. Gu i d e to Al l ys hi p.

When it comes to creating a A L LY

positive & sustainable impact on Being an ally is about disrupting
the lives of Indigenous Peoples oppressive spaces by educating
living in Montreal, it is important to others on the realities and
understand the role that an histories of marginalized people. 1
individual occupies and plays within
the collective experience.
ACCOMPLICE
The term ally has been around for An accomplice works within a
some time, and recently many system and “directly challenges
critics 2, 10 say that it has lost its institutionalized/systemic racism,
original meaning. Instead of being colonization, and white
used to identify one’s role within a supremacy by blocking or
collective struggle, it has come to impeding racist people, policies,
symbolize a token identity – a kind and structures”. 1
of “badge” that people wear to
show they are one of the “good CO-RESISTOR
guys”. Being a co-resistor is about
standing together, as an
There are multiple terms a person ensemble, in resistance against
can use when identifying the role oppressive forces and requires
that they actively play within
constant learning. It is
anti-oppressive work. Neither is
better than the other and regard- combining theory and practice
less of what you call yourself, each by establishing relationships and
role plays an important part in this being deeply involved within a
kind of work. Many want to be an community that informs how
ally, which is why this pamphlet one listens critically, understands
focuses on that term. However, an issue and influences the way
being an ally is not a self-appointed they go about disrupting
identity and requires you to show oppressive institutions and
your understanding through systemic systems.
actions, relations, and recognition
by the community.
STEP #1:
BE CRITICAL OF ANY
M O T I V AT I O N S

When getting involved in this kind

of work, one should ask themselves:

Does my interest derive from

HOW
the fact that the issue is
currently “buzzing”?
Does my interest stem from

CAN
the fact that the issue will meet
quotas or increase chances of
any funding?

I BE
Does my involvement hijack
the message and insert my own
opinions or values instead of
respecting those of the

A GOOD
Indigenous communities?
Am I doing this to feed my ego?

ALLY?
These movements and struggles
do not exist to further one’s own
self-interest, nor are they there
as “extra-curricular” activities. 2

T O B E A N A L LY I S T O :

Actively support REMEMBER:

the struggle.

Being involved in any kind

of anti-oppression work is
Stand up, even when about recognizing that
you feel scared. every person has a basic
right to human dignity,
respect, and equal access
to resources.
Transfer the
At the end of the day,
benefits of your being an ally goes beyond
privilege to those checking actions off a list
who have less. and it is not a competition.
Being an ally is about a way
of being and doing.
This means self-reflection,
Acknowledge that “checking in” with one’s
the conversation is motivations and debriefing
not about you. 3 with community members is
a continual process; it is a
way of life.
STEP #2:
S TA R T L E A R N I N G

Here are lists of terms that will help

you get started on educating yourself
on the history of Indigenous Peoples
on Turtle Island.
Educating yourself is an ongoing
process. Change will not be easy and
REMEMBER:
you will never truly be an expert on
Indigenous challenges and realities,
Indigenous people
but you can work in allyship.
are grandparents,
parents, children, &
siblings. They are
A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself: doctors, teachers,
social workers,
How can I use this new entrepreneurs, &
information in my everyday life? artists – they are
What steps can I personally take human beings.
to amplify marginalized voices that Indigenous people
are too often silenced? are present and
thriving in a country
What do I have and how can that that expected them
be leveraged? to die off and that
How can I use my position & continues to enforce
privileges to listen, shift power structures of
dynamics and take steps towards oppression today –
reconciliaction? we are resilient.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
ARE THE EXPERTS OF
THEIR OWN REALITIES &
HISTORIES.
1
Opportunities for White People in the Fight
for Racial Justice. (2016).
2
Accomplices Not Allies: Abolishing The Ally
Industrial Complex. (2014). TERMS THAT ARE NOT OKAY
3
Guide to Allyship. (2016).
4
Algonquin Territory: Indigenous title to land in FOR YOU TO SAY:
the Ottawa Valley is an issue that is yet to be
resolved. (2018).
Turtle Island: The Original Name for North
• Indian • Red skins
5

America. (2007).
6
Mapping the Legal Consciousness of First • Savage • Eskimo
Nations Voters: Understanding Voting Rights • Half-breed • Squaw
Mobilization. (2009).
7
An Overview of the Indian Residential School.
(2013).
Please be aware that these NDN
definitions are to give you a This term started off as online
general idea. This is especially true slang and is about First
when it comes to terminology Nations reclaiming the word
relating to identity. Identities are “Indian”. Only Indigenous
complicated, are always evolving, Peoples can use this term.
and don’t exist in boxes. When in
doubt: never assume, ask! KANIEN’KEHÁ:KA
This is what the Mohawk call
themselves and roughly translates
to “people of the flint”. They are
also one of the original nations
F I R S T N AT I O N that called the island of Montreal
First Nations are the their territory (Tiohtià:ke).
descendants of the original
inhabitants of Canada. Various TIOHTIÀ:KE & MOONIYAANG
nations, beliefs, & languages The Kanien’kehá:ka call
TERMINOLOGY
exist within this group. There Montreal Tiohtià:ke, which
are 10 First Nations in Quebec. roughly translates to “where
the boats/rivers meet”.
M(m)ÉTIS
The Métis are a post-contact The Anishinaabeg word is
Indigenous People. Métis refers Mooniyaang; roughly translating
to people with roots in the Red to “the first stopping place”.
River community or other
historic Métis communities. TWO-SPIRIT
While métis refers to people Two-Spirit is an umbrella term
with mixed Indigenous ancestry. that includes gay, lesbian,
bisexual, and trans/gender
INUIT & INUK non-conforming identities. It is
Inuit is the term for Indigenous also what the “2S” stands for in
peoples from Arctic North LGBTQ2S; it’s a person who
regions of Canada, Greenland identifies as having a spirit that
and Alaska. Inuit is the plural is both masculine and feminine.
form, while Inuk is the singular It is used by some Indigenous
form. They make up the 11th people to describe their sexual,
Indigenous nation in Quebec. gender and/or spiritual identity.
Only Indigenous people can
ANISHINAABEG identify as being two-spirit,
This is what the Algonquin people since being two-spirit came
refer to themselves as. Their with a specific role within
ancestral territories include regions Indigenous communities.
in Quebec, but subgroups have
migrated further West into Ontario, SETTLER
Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.4 The This term is used to describe
word roughly translates to “the people whose ancestors
authentic people” or “real people”. migrated to Canada and who
still benefit from ongoing
TURTLE ISLAND colonialism. This could be also
This is the name given to North applied to “settlers of colour”
America by some Indigenous but doesn’t apply when
Peoples, such as the Iroquois, referring to people who are
Anishinaabeg, and other descendants of slaves,
Northeastern nations.5 The term considering they did not come
originates from their various to this continent willingly. Keep
creation stories. in mind the various
intersections of a person’s
INDIGENOUS & ABORIGINAL identity and how this translates
These are umbrella terms to include into the types of privileges they
First Nations, Métis, and Inuit in are either afforded or withheld.
Canada. Both terms are used
internationally to define the original POW WOW
habitants of colonized countries, A traditional First Nations’
with Indigenous being the most gathering and celebration of
favoured term. However, it is always dance, song, socializing and
respectful to be specific about the honoring of a rich heritage.
Nation you are referring to; use the Not to be used to describe a
term that they use to self-identify. meeting or group of people.
THINGS NOT TO SAY
“CANADA’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLES” “THE INDIGENOUS CULTURE”
or “OUR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES” This is too broad considering
that hundreds of Indigenous
The Indigenous Peoples on
communities, nations,
Turtle Island are not owned by
languages and cultures exist
Canada or by any individual,
within Canada. Instead of
which is the way the language
singular, try using plural forms
makes it out to sound. Try to
instead. Even better, try being
say “the Indigenous Peoples of
specific about the nation to
what we now call Canada”
avoid pan-Indigenizing. I.e.
instead.
“My Kanien’kehá:ka friends
from Kahnawake” or “the
many Indigenous cultures.”

“YOU’RE INDIGENOUS? YOU MUST

BE AN ALCOHOLIC”
This is incorrect, perpetuates “WHY DON’T YOU JUST
false stereotypes, and is a GET OVER IT?”
generalizing and discriminatory
view to have. Even if you are First Nations were not allowed
referencing a joke you heard, to vote in federal elections
just avoid saying this until 1960.6 The last residential
altogether. school was closed in 1996.7
Today, Indigenous children
make up over half of all
children in child care.8 These
recent acts of colonization did
not happen hundreds of years
“CAN YOU AND YOUR PEOPLE ago and Indigenous people are
FORGIVE MY PEOPLE still healing and dealing with
oppressive structures. One
FOR WHAT WE DID?” does not recover from
traumatic events overnight,
Guilt should not be the main
much less systemic oppression
reason for why you want to
that took place over hundreds
be a part of ally work. On top
of years and that continues to
of that, no one Indigenous
this day.
person can forgive an entire
population, nor are they the
spokesperson for the entire
Indigenous population. As
you educate yourself, you
may grapple with these
feelings of guilt and that is “YOU PEOPLE WERE CONQUERED”
completely normal but what
are more important are the Surviving genocide is a
steps and actions that you revolutionary act and by saying
take afterwards – not being this you are both condoning
forgiven. and celebrating genocide.
STEP #3:
A C T A C C O R D I N G LY

Educating one’s self is only

ACKNOWLEDGING
the fact that you are a
half of the work when guest on this land
being an ally. It is a lifelong
process that is rooted in
action and requires
humility and ongoing
critical self-reflection. RECOGNIZING
that multiple nations exist
Being an ally is not a
within Turtle Island
badge of honour, it is a
sign of privilege. 9

To do this, it is crucial to
establish a direct line of RESPECTING
communication – this any cultural protocols
could be through a friend and traditions
directly involved or
impacted by the struggles
or through a volunteer
position at a community

TO DO’S
organization.

WORKPLACES &
ORGANIZATIONS CAN Listen to the experts
PRACTICE GOOD
ALLYSHIP BY: Ask what you can do
Build relationships based
Hiring Indigenous people to on mutual consent & trust
NEXT STEPS

be involved in the creation Research to learn more

and ownership of initiatives about the history
that are made about them
and/or for them. Continue to support & act
in meaningful ways
Properly remunerating and
crediting Indigenous people
for their knowledge & time. This could entail calling
‘Passing the mic’ to others out and holding
Indigenous people at events, them accountable when
in the arts, in music, in film, in they are displaying
theatre, and in making oppressive behaviours
decisions that affect them. because when it comes
down to it, being a good
Recognizing that
ally is about risking your
Indigenous Peoples have
voice to elevate others. 11
ownership, control, access,
and possession of their
information, knowledge, If you’re interested in
experiences, and stories. 10 supporting local organizations
that aim to meet the needs of
the urban Indigenous
8
Living arrangements of Aboriginal population in Montreal, email
children aged 14 and under. (2011). us about available volunteer
9
Reynolds, V. (2013). “Leaning In” as placements:
imperfect Allies in Community Work.
10
The First Nations Principles of OCAP®. [email protected]
(1998).
11
I Need An Accomplice, Not An Ally.
(2017).
 1
Content and research by Dakota Swiftwolfe
Layout and design by Leilani Shaw

Many people and resources were consulted in the

creation of this document. For a full list of resources
and collaborators, visit our website:
reseaumtlnetwork.com