Relational Principles

Taking Direction: Though we may share common and intersecting goals, we are visitors to these lands and take direction from Indigenous peoples on all aspects of the work for self-determination.

Showing Leadership: Where we can show leadership is in the way we listen, show respect and humility, and materially support the goals of Indigenous movements.

Aiming at Non-Interference: Diversity among Indigenous perspectives means that “taking direction” from one individual or community may contradict the views of another. Where possible, we should avoid inserting ourselves into these debates. When this is unavoidable, we must be honest, transparent, and forthcoming about our positions, relationships, and convictions.

Practicing Reflexivity: There will be times when we feel challenged by opinions or actions we disagree with and times we may find ourselves passing judgment reactively. We must take time to recognize when this happens, and individually and intentionally reflect on the situation at hand. What next steps are needed to best reflect Yellowhead’s guiding principles? What will best serve the work and vision of the Institute?

Intersectionality: We must work to develop an understanding of oppression as relational and intersectional. Non-Indigenous people may also be subject to class, race, ableist, sexist, cis-heteronormative, and other forms of domination. But we must enter into consensual relationships of alliance without losing sight of how colonization shapes and grounds other forms of oppression on these lands.

Decentering Our Priorities: We must never centre our own ideological convictions or campaign goals in place of Indigenous political strategies and priorities.

Carrying Our Own Weight: We are responsible for doing the work to listen and learn from Indigenous articulations of self-determination.

Educating Ourselves: It is our responsibility to examine our own biases, demands, expectations, and to pursue education on Indigenous issues. It is not Indigenous peoples’ responsibility to do one-on-one counselling and education.

Backing Off: It is a privilege to be invited into community spaces, but not an obligation for Indigenous peoples to invite us. Plenty of work can be done in harm reduction advocacy with the state in partnership with Indigenous people, or by raising funds to support Indigenous culture and governance initiatives.

Fighting White Supremacy: For non-Indigenous people who are white, we have enormous privilege we did not earn, but we can spend what’s banked by standing up against racial and colonial injustice. We must acknowledge the racism that infects the air we breathe and consciously work to challenge it in ourselves and in the world around us.