Us/Them, Me/You: Who? (Re)Thinking the Binary of First Nations and Non-First Nations

Abstract

Names speak who we are and who we do not wish to be. Issues of belonging, entitlement, representation, and autonomy related to the naming represented in the socially constructed binary—First Nations and non-First Nations—are briefly examined. A legacy of colonialism is the dichotomy of us/them, characterized with a variety of terms. These include, among others, Native, Status Indian, Amerindian, Aboriginal, First Nations, Canadians, Euro-Canadians, Anglo-Canadian, and White. Just when is it appropriate to use the terms? The terms exclude individuals of mixed political, cultural, or other heritages, or recent immigrant Brothers and Sisters. Although the binary is necessary to explain longstanding geopolitical, spiritual, economic, and other injustices, the dualism obscures nuanced understandings of interrelated issues of class, gender or other discrimination. Unthinking use of the terms of this dichotomy contradicts some traditional teachings, which state that all humans are members of the same human family. (Over)Reliance on this dichotomy may enable forgetfulness about other binaries to consider.