The Idle No More movement is altering the dynamic in Aboriginal relations, stirring a new political chemistry that may change the power balance not only between Aboriginal leaders and Canadian governments, but within Aboriginal communities. Yet the wider Canadian reaction to this development saw nothing more than a retreat into the comfort of familiar views. From these bunkers of conviction we heard the same old arguments from all sides, a recitation of positions that reinforced a dismal sense of stalemate.

The desire in these pages is to break through that impasse using the narrative power of photography. The portraits of Aboriginal people in this issue were taken by Aboriginal photographers now exhibiting their work in a National Gallery of Canada touring exhibition called “Steeling the Gaze,” which is currently showing in Saskatoon. For too long, the non-Aboriginal lens has offered two broad windows on Aboriginal subjects: the romanticized composition of the Aboriginal as warrior (whether on horseback in 19th century headdress or masked at a 21st century barricade), or as the tragic victim in a pornographic depiction of poverty. The portraits here shatter that stereotype, toying with the conventional images of their subjects, and expressing a fresh insight into Aboriginal identity.

We believe if photography can challenge our deeply ingrained assumptions about Aboriginal people, then there should be no barrier to breaking the stagnant political paradigm that frames our engagement on Aboriginal policy. The articles that accompany the photos try to light that path: underscoring the merits of an Aboriginal media that leads out of the ghetto, of the importance of getting post-secondary education right, and of seeing possibilities in better Aboriginal self-government and alternative justice. This does not deny the depth of the social, economic and political problems facing Aboriginal communities, nor does it ignore the need for comprehensive reconciliation and accommodation to resolve the clashing views in the country.

The inner workings of government
Keep track of who’s doing what to get federal policy made. In The Functionary.
The Functionary
Our newsletter about the public service. Nominated for a Digital Publishing Award.

But it warns us against abdicating from action while waiting for history to turn at its often sluggish pace. Another generation of Aboriginal people cannot be asked —  by governments or their own leadership —  to wait while the big questions are sorted out. We must be more impatient, exploring every avenue that offers a chance to alleviate poverty or provide a better education. The next generation deserves to be given hope, not to be condemned to more of the same.

Bruce Wallace
Bruce Wallace was appointed editor of Policy Options magazine, the IRPP's flagship publication, in August 2012. A native of Montreal, he was Tokyo bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times from 2004 to 2008, after which he became that newspaper's foreign editor. Over a long career in journalism he has reported from across Canada and around the world, covering wars, elections, economics and three Olympic Games. He has worked outside Canada for 16 of the last 19 years, so he has a good understanding of the global economic, political and security currents that affect Canadian public policy.

You are welcome to republish this Policy Options article online or in print periodicals, under a Creative Commons/No Derivatives licence.

Creative Commons License