Behind-the-scenes of The Missive #9

On anti-racism in the workplace, anti-queer sentiments growing at alarming rate and how it's all related, plus what I'm reading, watching and listening to now

My Scottish/Irish ancestors arrived on the east coast of Turtle Island sometime in the late 1700’s or early 1800’s and were part of several waves of genocidal colonization of the Indigenous people who were already here. I know I have benefited as a result, and I find this deeply troubling. I like to explain my family’s history and keep this foremost in my mind (and my writing) at all times. I moved west with my family in the 1970’s and am grateful to be here, producing this newsletter in Moh’kinsstis, and the traditional Treaty 7 territory of the Blackfoot confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations. This territory is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3 within the historical Northwest Métis homeland. I recognize that the land I now work and live on was stolen from these nations (truth) and I support giving the land back as an act of reconciliation.

Dear subscribers,

This month saw the renewal of annual subscriptions for some of my founding subscribers and for that I’m eternally grateful. Thank you for your continued support.

This background post is available only for paid subscribers, and includes content that gets at the heart of my newsletter and the thinking behind it. The next free, public newsletter should be out within the week!

This month, for example, I read an article about groundwater monitoring that has me wondering about Alberta’s groundwater in the current regulatory environment. I watched a movie about the isolating and controlling nature of religions and cults, characteristics I’ve observed in hate rallies against 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Alberta. And I listened to a podcast about the origins of the environmental protest movement in the US. TLDR: Success isn’t always obvious in the short term, but long term, you could be changing things in ways you don’t understand at the time. 

Read on for links to all of these sources.

Your financial support and encouragement helps me get closer to my goals for a semi-retirement involving more freelance writing, and activism. This Thanksgiving, I’m so thankful for all of you.

If you have any comments, I’d love to hear from you.

Thoughts ahead of the next newsletter (coming soon):

This month has been tough. There have been a lot of big changes in my family’s life, and some devastating realizations about the state of the province. I’m working on my next free, public post and it should be out within the week.

While out “counter-protesting” the transphobic and homophobic hate rallies recently, I’ve been struck by how many are unwilling to make even the slightest changes to improve the lives of others. Most will express dismay about the queer bashing that is openly displayed, but they can’t seem to take that next step to speak up or show up when it matters most.

It’s the same with racism. Taking an anti-racism approach is not a passive activity. 

Recently I’ve been raising some red flags at my workplace about processes and practices that are clearly amplifying racist perspectives.