I was at an event put on by a couple of profs from the University of Calgary tonight. After the thing was over and while I was talking with one of them a woman turned to me - an staring at my Memorial University t-shirt asked me where I was from. I explained that I am a doctoral student at the university here in Calgary.
The she asked me what I was doing. I explained that my area of research focuses on the relationship between Aboriginal people and the Federal government. She quickly responded "We have lots of 'them' here." Followed by "We've managed to integrate some of them but I don't know what we will do with the rest!"
I have to say I was more than a little nonplussed. The best I could come up with was "Well I don't think it is our responsibility to do anything with them. I think they have to sort it out for themselves."
I walked away dismayed both at her attitude and my failure to more effectively respond to her. Yet as I continue to reflect on the incident I am keenly aware that the work I have chose to do is critical.
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