The IRG

09/02/2025

08/25/2025

I used to think decolonization was something my organization could do—a checklist, a policy, a program. What I learned, painfully, is that it’s relational.

And relationships reveal truth.

They expose the gap between what we say and what we actually do.

These are five moments where I failed at being relational. They’re personal, but they’re also systemic.

1. When I confused transaction for relationship.

I thought another meeting, another report, another consultant meant connection. But I was rushing to outcomes. Real relationship asked me to slow down, to give time I didn’t think I had.

(Wilson, Shawn. Research is Ceremony: Indigenous Research Methods, 2008)

2. When I listened but didn’t change.

I nodded through the circle, thanked the Elder, and went back to business as usual. That was performance, not relationship. I had heard the words, but I hadn’t let them "alter" me.

(Tuck, Eve & Yang, K. Wayne. “Decolonization is Not a Metaphor,” 2012)

3. When I put the institution first.
I chose safety—policy, liability, reputation—over people. Fear won.

The institution stayed intact, but the relationship fractured.

(Simpson, Leanne Betasamosake. As We Have Always Done: Indigenous Freedom Through Radical Resistance, 2017)

4. When I let budgets tell the truth I didn’t want to admit.

We spoke of reconciliation, but the money never moved. If resources stay where they are, then so does power.

That’s how I learned that budgets are the most honest decolonization reports.

(King, Thomas. The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America, 2012)

5. When I treated governance like paperwork.

I thought governance was bylaws and charts. But governance is culture, accountability, and courage.

It’s also the critical test: will we transfer power to rights-bearing communities, or just invite them to “share perspective”?

(Borrows, John. Canada’s Indigenous Constitution, 2010)

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Check out Diagonal Man on Substack

06/09/2025

I met Anita Nowack over a year ago, and loved her message about empathy. So I joined her podcast, check this out.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15JYxK4RWn/

06/08/2025

Thank you to everybody who bought my book! Still thinking about it? Here’s a deal for June.

Buy the book Ally is a Verb, and get my online shortcourse on How to do Land Acknowledgements with Meaning, free. Take 30 minutes to learn how to ensure your land acknowledgement is authentic and prompts action. Because reconciliation is about action.

https://the-irg.ca/ally-is-a-verb/

06/06/2025

So proud of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions who made their historic apology on Tuesday. They know an apology without action is meaningless, so they just passed today an emergency resolution to immediately start acting on reconciliation, including an urgency to stop racism against Indigenous patients as well as Indigenous nurses.

Got some feels when every single nurse and delegate stood up to show their support, and take their place as allies.

Thank you to Linda at CFNU, and Erin at Ontario Nurses Association, and gunul'sheesh to the Indigenous Advisory Committee.

06/03/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ZBc52dWGW/

06/01/2025

June 1 is the start of National Indigenous History Month. So, umm... let's get real now. Communities are burning down to the ground, and every level of government is struggling to cope. Now is the time to stand up as allies and organizations.

Anything your organization does, your company does for this month will be MEANINGLESS, if we don't care for the evacuees right now, if we don't find a way to support the thousands of wildfires evacuees. If you want to recognize this month, then do something now. Now.

Colleges and universities, if you are allies, clear the rooms, open them to Indigenous families evacuated from hell on earth.

Ally families, now's the time to put your action where you words say. Winnipeg, open your homes to your Indigenous neighbours who need to sleep in safe places. And every community in southern Manitoba and northern Ontario. If you say you're an ally, now's the time to ally up.

It's now. Today.

05/02/2025

It’s been quite a week. Thank you to all who joined events in Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver. I will be at the Ottawa Writers Fest on Sunday.

03/12/2025

Well, here's another one worth some attention. Residential school denial is cruel and heinous, based on pure hate.

12/30/2024

I am thrilled to share that my upcoming book Ally is A Verb: A Guide to Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples has been selected by Indigo as one of their Most Anticipated Books for 2025! 📚

Starting December 30, Indigo will be offering 30% off Ally is a Verb and other highly anticipated books. This promotion will run from December 30-January 5, online only. Thank you to all who have pre-ordered my book already and to Indigo for recognizing the important work of allyship 🧡 Ally is a Verb is currently available for pre-order and officially launches on April 22, 2025!

https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/ally-is-a-verb-a-guide-to-reconciliation-with-indigenous-peoples/9781774585771.html?searchType=products&searchTerm=Ally%20is

11/16/2024

Alright, I'm sure I wasn't the only voice asking Taylor Swift to take a stand for reconciliation. But I was one voice.

For the naysayers, land acknowledgements are a first step, perhaps a small push for the hundreds of thousands in attendance over concerts in Canada. Every step helps.