babble is rabble.ca's discussion board but it's much more than that: it's an online community for folks who just won't shut up. It's a place to tell each other — and the world — what's up with our work and campaigns.
Forum title change; not a big thing, but...
December 13, 2016 - 6:27pm
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I'm just wondering whether it might be time to update the "canadian politics' forum (sub)title. Jack Layton passed away, Stephen Harper retired. We're looking a little bit 2008.
That said, wasn't it proposed that the "aboriginal issues and culture" forum be renamed to the "indigenous issues and culture" forum? What ever happened with that?
FWIW, I agree with Mr. Magoo on all his points.
The idea was met with a fit of rage against "political correctness," and none of us stuck with it in the face of the anger. Sorry for that.
No sorry needed; I was more asking rabble, or Meg as their representative.
I figured it was a reasonable request, of the sort that should be easily approved by the editorial committee or what have you. And it's not like the "nay" side was offering any arguments AGAINST the idea.
babble's Latin motto should be "Illegitimi non carborundum".
Wow. I mean I have a number of friends who say "Indian" too, and always have. I wouldn't assume it would be quite the same if I started using that term in mixed company any more than if I used some other epithets that have been reclaimed by people.
I am not 100 percent up on why "Indigenous" is the current prefered term rather than native or aboriginal. But I don't see why it should be any business of those of us it isn't in reference to.
And Magoo.
Or "strike while the iron is hot".
Aboriginal is a contraction of the prefix "ab-" and the word "original". The prefix "ab-" means "away from", and in common usage is even understood as "not", ie. "normal" vs "abnormal".
With a very simple examination of how the parts of the word are composed, using "aboriginal" can come off as somewhat of a cruel joke, even if it's not meant that way by the speaker/writer.
"Aboriginal" (at least in its Canadian usage) was invented by some committee of rich colonial folks in preparation for the "patriation" of the Canadian constitution in 1982. It simply wasn't used and didn't exist in any Canadian context before then, except with reference to Australia. "Indigenous" (and we're starting to repeat ourselves) is a generic and inclusive and internationally recognized term. But if we need to wait for an Indigenous babbler to make the request, so be it. It won't kill me.
How about using the term First Nations?
Not all indigenous Canadians are First Nations.
No. "First Nations" excludes Metis, Inuit, and "non-status Indians".
Montrealer, surely you don't want to leave out Inuit and Métis people.
In this context, "Métis" refers to a specific national or cultural community, not to any person who has Indigenous and other origins (most often European in the Canadian context).
Sorry I opened my mouth
Just to be clear (and I know you were probably speaking generally) my comment wasn't against the proposal to change, but against anyone who would balk at the notion.
Indigenous is the currently accepted word. Change it.
Montrealer, please don't be sorry for asking a question!
As I understand it the international context for the term Indigenous is extremely important in the light of globally recognized rights and the globalization of the struggle. But my opinion does not matter.
What does matter is that it seems there is a strong feeling among Indigenous people that they wanted this change. This is how the CBC reported it. Unless there is any pushback from Indigenous people here, I don't see why the change would be controversial or delayed.
I agree with Mr. Magoo with the other updates although I see them as less imperative as this one.
FWIW, I'm bringing up the Indigenous vs Aboriginal issue at our next staff meeting early in the new year. I don't think the change will be a problem but it may take a while.
Understandable-- I think things always look simpler from a distance. Nobody is interested in the details but those details can often contain why something is harder to do, will take longer, is more expensive etc.