Recalls a sad tale of the Canadian reality from 20 years ago—too little has changed
To the Expositor:
Well done!
Your editorial on cultural appropriation (‘Canada’s challenges need to be brought into the light,’ May 24, Page 4) was the most honest and intelligent essays on the topic I’ve read to date and believe you me I’ve had my share these past few weeks.
I also happened to disinter a feature story I edited when I was at the Financial Post magazine, let’s go with 20 years ago.
We dispatched a non-Native writer named Pierre Pelletier to pass as an urban Native and travel around Western Canada for a few weeks. He straightened his curly hair, darkened his skin a bit, bought an old jean jacket and hit the streets. He was quite courageous to step that far out of his comfort zone and he did a terrific job on the story and I’m still proud of it
One of the saddest yet most telling moments was when he found himself in Regina at one point, he phoned a local hotel and asked if there were rooms available; the clerk said there were plenty. Then he arrived, in person, the clerk told him they were full up.
The story was called “Red Like Me.”
Would I have the courage to pull off a story like that again? Probably not. That kind of thing falls into the “crazy dumb courageous things only young people are foolish enough to do; as in, fight in wars, get married and, well, like that.
On the other hand, I’m happy we did it.
Plus, I’m proud to have worked at The Manitoulin Expositor which has been telling indigenous stories to non-indigenous populations and vice versa for more than a century. Keep up the great work.
Peter Carter
Toronto
