Why does this whole Boyden controversy matter? Why are we so obsessed
with this whole identity thing? I wish I could say it doesn't but
unfortunately that would be a lie because we live in a society that
seeks to categorize us by who we are or aren't and permits us our
identity as Indigenous peoples within some narrowly defined parameters.
Parameters that are defined by the Settler Canadian majority and
impressed upon us by their acceptance of the few voices that non-Native
Canada chooses to privilege with "authenticity." The rest of us are
forced to defend our own Indigenous authenticity to non-Natives in
constant, repeating cycles while those granted a voice are permitted a
straight course of acceptance within Canadian society. As a result, when
we, needing to decide regularly if we want to go through the fight
again and again, see inconsistencies in the one privileged by Canada
with a voice, we want to question said inconsistencies because that free
pass he has may have been granted as a result of him being the Indian
they want, not the Indian we are.
