Doreen Spence is a tireless campaigner for human rights in aboriginal communities worldwide. As a member of the Cree people in north-western Canada, she has had first-hand experience of intolerance and abuse at the hands of non-aboriginal people. Yet she has emerged as a highly-respected proponent of understanding and reconciliation in Canada and on the world stage. Her wisdom and skills as a healer of broken people and communities have earned her a Nobel nomination and numerous international awards.

 

Spence: Human rights encompass all aspects of our lives, including peace. We have to have human rights to have peace. We were given those rights by the highest authority, the Creator. We are caretakers of the earth. I have worked to help develop the UN Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which is complementary to the UN Charter of Human Rights. It includes two articles on communication rights. Article 16 talks about the need for the dignity and diversity of cultures to be appropriately reflected in all forms of education and and public information. Article 17 talks about the need for us to have our own media in our own languages and equal access to non-aboriginal media.
 

 

WACC: Tell us about your work in healing and reconciliation among your people in north-western Canada.
 

 

Spence: I am an Elder in the community. I trained as a nurse and am a traditional healer working with medicines, the sacred sweat lodge, healing circles with family members , herbal remedies, as well as with neuro-linguistics and thought- field therapy. I want to heal pain in hearts and souls, the results of emotional trauma.
 

 

WACC: The Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, has apologized to residential school survivors, their families and communities for the abuse that many suffered in schools run by the churches for the government. What was your reaction as you listened to the Prime Minister read the apology in the House of Parliament?
 

 

Spence: Words couldn’t describe what I was feeling. I lived through the era. My granny was in one of the schools and my mother was a victim. So I was directly impacted. Therefore, I listened to the Prime Minister with mixed emotions. The apology came too late for Granny who has died and for my mother who has blocked the memories and doesn’t want to deal with them.
 

 

WACC: The Prime Minister has set-up a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to bring the stories of the perpetrators and victims to light. What is your advice to the commissioners running the TRC and to the journalists who will cover the stories?
 

 

Spence: We all have a story. For us it is a story of struggle, injustice, and peace time genocide. Our history is Canada’s history, our future is Canada’s future. I want the truth and reconciliation process to tell our children and our children’s children what happened. For this to happen, all parties need to be able to come to the (witness) table in a safe environment. I would ask non- aboriginal people to listen with open hearts and without blame, judgment or criticism. I would ask Aboriginal people to speak with truth, honesty, and respect.
 

 

My advice to journalists is to be familiar with the issues. I know the non-native community and what divides us from them. It’s that we are too concerned with differences. It’s the similarities we should focus on. Journalists should know the history and what did take place. I know about other faiths I find but people don’t come to learn about us. Mis-communication needs to be healed.
 

 

WACC: What are your expectations of being at Congress 2008 where you will meet Archbishop Tutu who was so well-known for his work with South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission?
 

 

Spence: I recall meeting Archbishop Tutu at an international human rights meeting in Edmonton, Canada. I sat next to him and was mesmerized. I said to him, “I am so honoured to have met you my brother.” He responded, “On the contrary my sister, you are so powerful.” (Spence breaks into peels of laughter.) Me, a little Cree granny, powerful! (More laughter.) I am inspired by people like him to be myself and do what I have to do in my context.
 

 

WACC: What have you learned from your work with aboriginal peoples around the world?
 

 

Spence: There is a sacred connection shared worldwide among aboriginal peoples. It was so healing and cleansing for me to see in Mexico, for example, that we are so united by spirituality. Indigenous peoples have answers to all world problems. They are in native spirituality. It’s not an organized religion. It is a way of life. Australian Aborigenes, Maoris in New Zealand, Sami in the Nordic countries and the Innu in the circumpolar region - we’re all colonized but we have managed to tell and share our stories.