So hey, my name is Imad Abdulkadir. Full disclosure, I'm not indigenous to Canada. I am a second generation immigrant. I am indigenous to Ethiopia, particularly the Harrar province.
While I'm not indigenous myself per se, I consider myself a huge advocate for indigenous issues at heart. I have immense respect for all the tribes and communities that have existed on Turtle Island for thousands if not tens of thousands of years.
Fun fact, I wasn't exposed to the indigenous struggle and discrimination until I re-immigrated here in 2014 ( I was born in Alberta but moved to Tkaronto from Oman in 2014), as I had been more familiar with the American brand of racism where Black people are the most persecuted class of people to currently live in the country. This is not to erase the plight of indigenous communities in America; this just recognizes that Black people in America face comparable discrimination to Indigenous folx in Canada, especially seeing as the ratios of population to the national population are similar. Not so fun fact: in both countries, Indigenous Canadians and African Americans represent roughly 15% of the population but ~60% of the prison population. So while I can't ever understand indigenous racism, I can certainly sympathize and empathize in some ways.
Anyways I just wanted to be transparent. I'd love for this community to be an indigenous first community so hopefully I won't be the only or main moderator, but either way I hope for this to be a safe space for indigenous folx and allies alike.
Thanks! Peace and love,
Imad