Series:"21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act" (Joseph, 2018) #11 Looking Forward to a Better Canada

In this final chapter of "21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act"(2018) by Bob Joseph, he 

provides an optimistic and realistic way forward. I highly recommend reading Mr. Joseph's book as it will 

inform your world view. And hopefully help to affect change in Canada. 

 Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Cynthia Penner M. Ed.

Indigenous Corporation Training Inc.

Series: "21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act" (Joseph, 2018) #10 Dismantling the Indian Act: If Not the Indian Act, Then What?

Re-reading Bob Joseph's "21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act" (2018), has been a 

moving and daunting experience for me. And I feel inadequate to write in detail about what Mr. Joseph 

has so eloquently stated in this prose. I highly recommend you read the book for yourself. It is easy to 

follow and very succinctly identifies key points. The legacy of the Indian Act is still with us. And it is 

something that must be addressed more readily in an effort to provide equality for all people, especially 

those who are of Indigenous descent. Canadians are proud of being seen as kind and generous. This is an 

area that needs to be applied to the legacy of the Indian Act. 

 In chapter 6, Mr. Joseph addresses Self-Government, Community Healing and Reconciliation.

Indigenous Corporation Training Inc.

Series: "21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act" (Joseph, 2018) #9 It's Days Are Numbered

In Bob Joseph's book, "21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act" (2018), he identifies many of the details of the Indian Act in Canada. 

 1. Students weren't allowed to practice their traditional religion. 

 2. Indians weren't allowed to vote. 

 3. Was the colonial legislation meant to subjugate a group of people? According to Joseph, there is more to this question. Please read for yourself.

Indigenous Corporation Training Inc.

Mental Health Series: What is Mental Ilness?

The Canadian Mental Health Association has created numerous pamphlets to address the

 misunderstandings and stigmas often attached by society, to mental health or mental illness.

  

In this series, I will summarize some of the information about mental health.  The pamphlets created by 

CMHA have been funded by Bell, Let's Talk. 

Contact either organization for more information, or ask at your local hospital or doctor's office.

Mental Illnesses are loosely grouped by signs or symptoms, in the following:

Anxiety Disorders, Mood Disorders, Eating Disorders,

 

Psychotic Disorders, Personality Disorders, 

Childhood Disorders and Dementia.

Canadian Mental Health Association

Bell Let's Talk- Bell Canada

I wrote another article with Alia Khan and the Islamic Fashion and Design Council

The second article I published with Alia Khan and the Islamic Fashion and Design Council.

IFDC article by Cynthia Penner M. Ed.

Series: "21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act" (Joseph, 2018) #8 They Rose Against Us

In Bob Joseph's book, "21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act" (2018), the fourth chapter continues to identify some of the onerous decisions enacted by the Indian Act in Canada. 

 1. Students weren't allowed to speak their first languages.

 2. Indians weren't allowed to appear in public dance, shows, exhibitions, stampedes or pageants, while wearing traditional regalia.

 3. Un-cultivated reserve land was leased to non-Indians, by the government of Canada. 

 4. Indians could not form political organizations. 

 5. Prohibited anyone, Indian or non, from soliciting funds for Indians to hire legal counsel. 

 6. Indians weren't allowed inside of pool halls.

Indigenous Corporation Training Inc.

Series: "21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act" (Joseph, 2018) #7 Tightening Control- The Dark Chapter Continued

In Bob Joseph's book, "21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act", (2018), the Tightening Control chapter addresses the following: 

 1. Prohibited Sale of Ammunition to Indians

 

 2. Prohibited Sale of Intoxicants to Indians 

 3. Potlach and Other Cultural Activities Determined Illegal

 

 4. Restricted Indians from Leaving the Reserve without the Permission of the Indian Agent 

 5. Residential Schools Operated from 1886- 1996

Indigenous Corporation Training Inc.

Series: "21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act" (Joseph, 2018) #6 Resistance Is Futile

Chapter two of "21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act" by Bob Joseph (2018), identifies 3 results of the Indian Act:

5.  Could expropriate portions of reserves for public works. (p.  31)

6.  Renamed individuals with European names. (p. 34)

7.  Created a permit system to control Indians' ability to sell products from farms. (p. 36)

21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph

Series: "21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act" (Joseph, 2018) #5 The Beginning

Chapter One of "21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act" by Bob Joseph (2018), identifies four key initiatives of the Indian Act:

1.  Imposed the elected chief and band council system- 1869 to present day (p. 15)

2.  Denied women status- 1869 to 1985 (p. 19)

3.  Created reserves- 1876 to present day (p. 24)

4.  Encouraged voluntary and enforced enfranchisement- 1876 to 1985 (p. 27)

21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph

Series: "21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act" (Joseph, 2018) #4 The Indian Act

 "21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act", Bob Joseph provides a brief synopsis of how the Indian Act was created in Canada.

"The Roots of the Indian Act lie in the Bagot Report of 1844 that recommended that

control over Indian matters be centralized,

that the children be sent to boarding schools 

away from the influence of their communities

and culture,

that the Indians be encouraged to assume the 

European concept of free enterprise,

and that land be individually owned under an

Indian land registry system in which they could

sell to each other but not to non-Indians.

The Bagot Report provided the framework for the Indian Act, 1876." (p. 7)

"By the 1920s, Indian policy took on a much darker tone.

Duncan Scott Campbell, the Deputy Superintendent General

of Indian Affairs, wrote:

'I want to get rid of the Indian problem...

Our objective is to continue until there is not

an Indian that has not been absorbed into the 

body politic, and there is no Indian question,

and no Indian Department...' " (p. 8)

Important Note on Terminology:

Bob Joseph states:  

"I use the word 'Indian' in the first two sections of the book because of 

its legal and historical context.  It is not a term we would otherwise

use unless in reference to a community that has made that choice for 

their name.  One example of this is the Musqueam Indian Band." (p. 10)

21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph

Series: "21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act" (Joseph, 2018) #3 Key Information

 "21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act", Bob Joseph succinctly outlines key terminology and information to better understand the reading of the book, and the Indian Act.  This information is outlined as follows, in the appendices.

Appendix 1:  Terminology (p. 107)

Appendix 2:  Indian Residential Schools: A Chronology (p. 115)

Appendix 3:  Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada:  Calls to Action (p. 130)

Appendix 4:  Classroom Activities, Discussion Guide and Additional Reading (p. 162)

Appendix 5:  Quotes from John A. Macdonald and Duncan Campbell Scott (p. 169)

21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph

Series: "21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act" (Joseph- 2018) #2 Joseph's Introduction

21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act" was written by Bob Joseph (2018- Indigenous Relations Press).

In the introduction, Joseph states:

"I think it is critical that non-Indigenous Canadians be aware of how deeply

the Indian Act penetrated, controlled, and continues to control, most aspects

of the lives of First Nations.  It is an instrument of oppression." (p. 4)

Bob Joseph also states,

"In my personal life as an Indigenous person I look for opportunities to build 

bridges of reconciliation by providing information about Indigenous Peoples. 

My personal quest is to changes the world, one person at a time....This book 

is for people who want to walk with informed minds and hearts along the path

to reconciliation."  (p.4)

And on the final page of the introduction, Joseph says,

"It is time to dismantle the Indian Act once and for all- no further amendments,

no more bandaging or tweaking of the Act.  It will not be easy, but it can be done. 

In fact, it has been done by the Nisga'a Nation.  They are self-determining, 

self-governing, and, most importantly, self-reliant."  (p.5)

21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph

Series: "21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act" (Joseph, 2018) #1- My Intention

"21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act" by Bob Joseph (Indigenous Relations Press 2018), was first introduced to me when I arrived back in Canada in December 2018.

This blog series is meant to:
1. Help me better understand what has happened in the past, and how it continues to impact the present and future.
2. Share information in an effort to create a more informed society that may be well-intention, but is also able to affect change in a positive manner, for all people in Canada, including Indigenous People.
3.  Share some of the information that Bob Joseph has so eloquently presented in this book.  What I have chosen to write about is from my understanding.  I encourage you to read Mr. Joseph's book and gain your own knowledge!

Respectfully submitted for your consideration,

Cynthia Penner M. Ed.

Indigenous Corporate Training Inc.

Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if your life depended on it by Chris Voss

 

 "Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if your life depended on it." was written by Chris Voss (2016).  Here is a brief synopsis of some of my findings in Chapter One- The New Rules:

(Direct quotes are italicized.)

The Smartest Dumb Guy in the Room

...in the real world negotiation is far too complex for....applying a fixed order of negotiation.

...kidnappers are just businessmen trying to get the best price...

Heart VS. Mind

Fry and Ury (1981) revolutionized negotiating with a system known as "Getting to Yes".  In this system, they applied 4 principles to negotiation:

1.  ...separate the person-the emotion-from the problem.

2.  ...don't get wrapped up in the other side's position (what they're asking for) but instead focus on their interests (why they're asking for it) so that you can find what they really want.

3.  ...work cooperatively to generate win-win options.

4.  ...establish mutually agreed-upon standards for evaluating those possible solutions.

Kahneman (2011) along with his colleague Tversky, have done significant research in the area of negotiation, including the following:

Cognitive Bias- ...unconscious - and irrational- brain processes that literally distort the way we see the world.

Framing Effect- ...people respond differently to the same choice depending on how it is framed...

Prospect Theory- ...why we take unwarranted risks in the face of uncertain losses. 

Loss Aversion- ...people are statistically more likely to act to avert a loss than to achieve an equal gain. 

The FBI Gets Emotional

It all starts with a universally applicable premise that people want to be understood and accepted.

...when individuals feel listened to, they tend to listen to themselves more carefully and to openly evaluate and clarify their own thoughts and feelings.  

...they tend to become less defensive and oppositional and more willing to listen to other points of view, which gets them to the calm and logical place where they can be good ....problem solvers.

Tactical Empathy

...listening is not a passive activity.  It is the most active thing you can do.

Life is Negotiation

Negotiation serves two distinct, vital life functions- information gathering and behavior influencing....

Conflict between two parties is inevitable in all relationships.  It is key to ....know how to engage (communicate) in that conflict to get what you want without inflicting damage (in a positive, affirming manner). 

To master negotiation, one has to ...get over your aversion to negotiating.

...playing the emotional game that human society is set up for.  In this world, you get what you ask for; you just have to ask correctly.  So claim your perogative to ask for what you think is right.

A successful negotiator has to get everything he asks for, without giving anything back of substance, and do so in a way that leaves the adversaries feeling as if they have a great relationship.  His work is emotional intelligence on steroids.

The Black Swan Group

Getting to Yes

Thinking, fast and slow by Kahneman (2011)

Image Credit: Magrudy.com

7 Things that Make or Break a Relationship by Paul McKenna

  "7 Things that Make or Break a Relationship" was written by Paul McKenna.  Here is a brief synopsis of some of my findings:

Chapter 6: What Are You Learning?

Assumptions

Getting to Know Each Other

Sharing

Chapter 7: How Do You See Your Future?

Shared Values

Clarifying and Developing Values

Goals and Values

Vision

Optimism

Compassion

Evolution

Moving Towards Success

Enjoyable Efforts

The Power of Focus

Conclusion:

We are all beautifully and uniquely different!  And that is the exquisite part of life- that no two people are the same!

There is not one set of rules for life.  So communicate daily, and those shared values will rise to face life's inevitable challenges.

Nobody has all the answers.  So communicate with each other to find the solutions in a positive, healing manner.

The simplicity of life is truly the luxury of living.  And to find that simplicity and guard it is a privilege.  To live a life that is simple, is a life filled with purpose, focus and determination.  And love.

7 Things that Make or Break a Relationship- Self-Care

  "7 Things that Make or Break a Relationship" was written by Paul McKenna.  Here is a brief synopsis of some of my findings:

Chapter 3: Self-Care

Ask for What You Want

Surround Yourself with Genuine People

Chapter 4: Generosity

Unconscious Connection

Ideals

Chapter 5: Disagreement

Embracing Conflict

Honesty

Conflict Resolution

Listening

Patience

Negotiate

7 Things that Make or Break a Relationship Ch. 2 by Paul McKenna

 "7 Things that Make or Break a Relationship" was written by Paul McKenna.  Here is a brief synopsis of some of my findings:

What Are You Doing?

What is the smallest possible step I can take in the direction of a better relationship?

How much am I doing in this relationship?

What matters most is what we do.

Breakers:

Saying but not doing.

Trying too hard.

Trying too little.

Trying not to do things.

Makers:

Doing your everyday tasks with love.

Taking responsibility for your actions.

Doing at least one observable action to add joy to your relationship every day.

7 Things that Make or Break a Relationship by Paul McKenna (Edited blog post.)

"7 Things that Make or Break a Relationship" was written by Paul McKenna.  Here is a brief synopsis of some of my findings:

7 Processes

1.  Communication

2.  Action

3.  Self-Care

4.  Generosity

5.  Disagreement

6.  Learning

7.  Vision of the Future

Chapter 1: Communication

Breakers- Personal Criticism

              - Defensiveness

             -  Stonewalling

             -  Contempt

Makers-  Rapport

            -  Listening and paying attention

            -  Responding to bids

           -  Admiration and optimism

           -  The love strategy

5 AM Club: The 4 Interior Empires

 

"The 5 AM Club: Own Your Morning- Elevate Your Life", is written by Robin Sharma.

Many of the principles that Sharma presents, are principles that I also use in my life. This is a brief summary, from my perspective, of Sharma's work.

The 4 Interior Empires:

1.  Mindset- psychologically

2.  Heartset- emotionally

3.  Healthset- physically

4.  Soulset- spirituality

All four of these interior empires must be polished beautifully through morning practice for you to know the awe-inspiring power that lurks within you. p. 140

5 AM Club by Robin Sharma

The Sheikh CEO: My Reflections (C. Penner) (Edited blog post.)

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is a strong, humble leader who always puts people first.  And he does this in innovative, challenging and inclusive ways.

Recently, Sheikh Mohammed was the first to send an airplane full of supplies to Beirut, Lebanon, in the wake of the port disaster.  To those living in the GCC region, the Sheikh's actions are not surprising and more so, are just status quo. 

Without exception, Sheikh Mohammed is always the first to send aid and resources, wherever they are needed. Sheikh Mohammed's humble leadership in extending help is understood, and maybe even taken for granted.

Sometimes these stories may not be heard around the world.  

So the next time you hear a story from the Middle East or anywhere in the world, do your own research to discover the truth.  You are likely to be pleasantly surprised at what you find!

Photo Credit: Emirateswoman.com