Objective:

The goal and purpose of this project is to end White Supremacy as it currently exists globally. This will be achieved by approaching the concept from the viewpoint that White Supremacy & by extension Colonialism is a trauma inflicted on us. In order to heal from the trauma, we must engage in self-healing activities. The method I’ve chosen is a community-based, therapeutic approach that seemingly is rooted in First Nations culture with methods similar to that of story-telling, working through the five stages of grief. Though the tools may seem similar, it is important to stress here that colonial problems will not have colonial solutions, this must happen from a decolonized perspective and approach.

Scope:

This document applies to everyone. It can work on very small scales such as an individual, or a family unit, in addition to larger scales such as municipalities, organizations, and nations.

Background:

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The System of White Supremacy

White Supremacy is the system put in place to maintain Power/Dominion/Control. It is supported through the downstream systems of Patriarchy, Racism, Capitalism, and Ableism. Over 500 years ago a group of white supremacists came up with this system that we live within now. It is hierarchal in nature and can be explained in the following colonial terms:

                Lv.0 – The System of White Supremacy: This can be viewed as the Board of Directors (“The Board”) for any company/organization. This is what set the whole agenda, the goals, and the numerous and varied ways that this system would be implemented and maintained.

                Lv.1 – The Goal of White Supremacy: Very simply, this is the whole purpose for the system to exist. It is the organizational mission statement, the values, and the vision (“The Purpose”). This is what The Board care about most

                Lv.2 – The Methods of White Supremacy: The way in which The Board is able to fulfil their Purpose; how they maintain their power/domination/control. These are the Divisions, Departments, or Teams (“Departments”). Much like how an organization/business can have, for example, Sales/Accounting/Human Resources/Customer Service departments. As people are moved through the system they can interact with different departments by virtue of their situation/circumstance and this is what gives rise to Intersectionality.

                Lv.3 – The Problems of White Supremacy: This is the product shelf on offer through the company (“The Products”).

Definitions:

• White Supremacy: White supremacy, from an Indigenous perspective, is a pervasive system that is rooted in the goals and values of power, domination, and control. It is a system that has historically been driven by the desire of white European cultures to assert their dominance over Indigenous, Black, and other non-white communities.
  
  At its core, white supremacy seeks to establish and maintain power structures that privilege white individuals and cultures while subjugating and marginalizing others. This quest for power manifests in various ways, from the colonization of lands and resources to the imposition of Eurocentric ideologies and norms.
  
  Domination is a central tenet of white supremacy. It involves the subjugation of Indigenous peoples through force, coercion, and systemic oppression. Indigenous lands were forcibly taken, and Indigenous governance systems were dismantled to assert dominance and control over these territories.
  
  Control is another key aspect of white supremacy. It’s about exerting authority over every aspect of life, from education and religion to economic systems and legal frameworks. Control is wielded to erase Indigenous languages, cultures, and traditions, replacing them with Eurocentric values and practices.
  
  So, when discussing white supremacy, it’s vital to recognize that its goals and values are deeply rooted in power dynamics, domination, and control. Indigenous peoples have been born into a world where these forces shape their daily lives, and their ongoing struggle is a response to these oppressive systems. Recognizing this helps to highlight the urgent need to dismantle white supremacy and replace it with a more just and equitable world that respects the autonomy and rights of Indigenous communities.
• Colonialism: Colonialism is a historical and ongoing system characterized by the expansion of European powers, predominantly of white European descent, through the conquest, colonization, and domination of Indigenous lands, peoples, and cultures. It is rooted in white supremacy, a belief system that asserts the inherent superiority of white Europeans over non-white peoples, leading to the justification of exploitation, violence, and oppression.
• Key elements of colonialism include:
  • Territorial Expansion: Colonial powers sought to expand their territories by force, often resulting in the dispossession of Indigenous lands and displacement of Indigenous communities.
  • Economic Exploitation: Colonizers extracted resources such as minerals, agricultural products, and labor from colonized lands for their economic benefit, often leaving Indigenous communities in poverty.
  • Cultural Suppression: Indigenous cultures, languages, and traditions were systematically suppressed or eradicated, leading to the loss of cultural identity and heritage.
  • Forced Assimilation: Colonizers imposed their values, religions, and languages on Indigenous peoples, attempting to assimilate them into European norms and erasing their unique identities.
  • Violence and Oppression: Indigenous peoples faced violence, subjugation, and discrimination, both during the initial colonization and in subsequent periods of settler colonialism.
  • Legacy of Injustice: The effects of colonialism, including land dispossession, cultural loss, and socio-economic inequality, continue to impact Indigenous communities today, creating a cycle of systemic injustice.
  • Resistance and Resilience: Despite these challenges, Indigenous peoples have demonstrated remarkable resilience and continue to assert their rights, advocate for justice, and revitalize their cultures.
  • It’s important to recognize that colonialism is a complex and multifaceted system, and its impacts vary across different Indigenous communities and regions. Indigenous perspectives on colonialism often highlight the ongoing struggles for sovereignty, land rights, and cultural revitalization.

Observations:

• White Supremacy through Colonialism, has fundamentally changed the way people interact with each other globally, over centuries.
• Lands are either Colonial (E.g. France, UK, Spain), Colonized (E.g. US, Canada, New Zealand), or Colonial Aware (E.g. China, Syria, Somalia)
• Colonization is a learned Trauma that perpetuates itself through systemic means and through individuals themselves.
• Similarities exist between individuals learning to overcome their own traumas, and the process I am envisioning that would work to address the systemic issues.
• White Supremacy should be recognized as a Trauma and treated accordingly.
• While I am personally moving through my own self-healing journey, I am remembering the skills, tools, and language used to facilitate this healing. I believe that it could transition/translate easily to healing from the single most pervasive & problematic issue humanity faces globally.

Actions:

1. Recognize institutionally that Canada is composed of Indigenous First Nations (or First Peoples) and Uninvited Settlers and normalize these terms. Address and acknowledge feelings of White-Guilt, White-Shame, White-Privilege. These are not ‘bad’ simply, they are valid feelings that can make people experiencing them very uncomfortable.
2. Massive campaign to educate the masses on the history of Indigenous People, the truth of colonization, and the cover-up of genocide by Canada and the Catholic Church. Including terms of reference, definitions, and the framework of White Supremacy
3. Begin engaging with people (either in group-work or individualized settings) and asking the question, “How has White Supremacy (or ‘Colonialism’) hurt you?” Allow people to share their stories and experiences in their own words. In pre-work done to build this project, 100% of traumas people have described are rooted in white supremacy. (E.g. Homophobia, Gender Pay Gap, Toxic Masculinity, Wealth Gap, Ableism, Colourism, Xenophobia, Greed, Climate Crisis, etc.)