Title: Indigenous – Make WordPress Community

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#  Tag Archives: Indigenous

 [  ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/ginasb/) [ginasb](https://profiles.wordpress.org/ginasb/)
9:40 pm _on_ November 26, 2024     
Tags: Indigenous, [WordCamps ( 246 )](https://make.wordpress.org/community/tag/wordcamps/),
[WPDiversity ( 238 )](https://make.wordpress.org/community/tag/wpdiversity/)   

# 󠀁[Starting – and continuing – a conversation about Indigenous representation and perspectives in WordPress](https://make.wordpress.org/community/2024/11/26/starting-and-continuing-a-conversation-about-indigenous-representation-and-perspectives-in-wordpress/)󠁿

> We hope that, through this WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized
> conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places
> where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve
> learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/).,
> we may encourage important conversations within the WordPress community about 
> the value of Indigenous perspectives and that result in practical initiatives 
> to support Indigenous communities in engaging with WordPress.
> (from WordCamp Canada
> 2024’s Opening words and Land Acknowledgement)

## **The beginnings**

I wasn’t supposed to get involved in the organization of the inaugural WordCamp 
Canada (WC-EH) – that was my husband, Paul Bearne’s thing. But we started batting
around ideas as to possible themes for a truly Canadian conference. This ultimately
led to a [vision statement](https://canada.wordcamp.org/2024/wceh-our-vision/) rooted
in accessibilityAccessibility Accessibility (commonly shortened to a11y) refers 
to the design of products, devices, services, or environments for people with disabilities.
The concept of accessible design ensures both “direct access” (i.e. unassisted) 
and “indirect access” meaning compatibility with a person’s assistive technology(
for example, computer screen readers). (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accessibility),
inclusivity, and underrepresented communities in general. It seemed obvious that
we needed to attempt to make Indigenous empowerment and perspectives a key part 
of this.

One of the things I have always loved about the WordPress community is its commitment
to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). I may have missed things,
but I have not been aware of specific efforts to connect with Indigenous peoples
in North America or elsewhere around the world. It seemed to me that, particularly
in the context of Canada’s recent commitment to work on [Truth and Reconciliation](https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1450124405592/1529106060525),
it was time to attempt to start what I believe to be an important conversation. 
This became something of a passion project!

I’ll be honest. I was nervous that we (I) didn’t have the capacity to do the necessary
outreach to create connections and stimulate engagement with communities who, with
good reason, may find it difficult to trust the motives of those who reach out to
them. I knew I might ‘get it wrong’, that there might even be anger and confrontation(
this didn’t happen). I was prepared to fail but determined at the very least to 
sow seeds.

## **What is meant by the term ‘Indigenous’?**

In Canada, _Indigenous_ refers to the original inhabitants of Turtle Island (what
we know as North America) and their descendants. It is an umbrella term for First
Nations (status and non-status), Métis and Inuit. Indigenous refers to all of these
groups, either collectively or separately. It is the term used in international 
contexts, e.g., the [United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples](https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2018/11/UNDRIP_E_web.pdf)(
UNDRIP).

Whilst Indigenous is used as a collective term, it is most appropriate to refer 
to Indigenous peoples by the proper names of their communities or nations, e.g. 
_Algonquin, Haudenosaunee, Mississaugas_.

Although my perspectives are as a Canadian, there are Indigenous peoples in many
countries around the world. It is my hope that this becomes an international conversation
within the WordPress community.

## **WordCamp Canada 2024**

[⌊Meggan Van Harten and Julia Golomb - closing fireside chat⌉⌊Meggan Van Harten 
and Julia Golomb - closing fireside chat⌉[

It was truly wonderful to be able to open [WordCamp Canada 2024](https://canada.wordcamp.org/2024/)
with Meggan Van Harten’s keynote presentation on [Accessibility in Action: Indigenous Communities](https://wordpress.tv/2024/09/02/keynote-accessibility-in-action-indigenous-communities/)
and bookend it with a closing fireside chat between Meggan and Julia Golomb about
the [intersection of Indigenous values and accessibility in the open-source community](https://wordpress.tv/2024/11/06/wordcamp-wrap-up-conversation/).

I was deeply moved by the words of one attendee from the US with Indigenous roots
who said she ‘had to be here’, even though she was recovering from an illness and
should have been resting up. It mattered that much to her.

That there were attendees working to assist Indigenous youth in learning fundamental
web development skills was encouraging as was the genuine interest in our Indigenous
focus. We received many questions about [Land Acknowledgements](https://canada.wordcamp.org/2024/a-bit-more-about-land-acknowledgements/)
and how to make these respectful and meaningful. For those coming from outside Canada,
this was not necessarily a familiar concept.

## **Why is it important?**

> “In Canada, only 4.1% of the tech industry comprises Black and Indigenous representation.
> Indigenous tech workers earn significantly less than their non-Indigenous counterparts,
> and digital technologies often exacerbate issues of safety, privacy, and discrimination
> for marginalized populations.” (quoted from [Indigenous Friends](https://www.indigenousfriends.org/)).

If the WordPress community is genuinely committed to DEIB, then concern about Indigenous
underrepresentation and inclusion should be a given.

I also believe that creating real possibilities to listen to and truly ‘hear’ Indigenous
voices has the potential to bring valuable new perspectives to WordPress, indeed
to all of us. Whilst there are many, many different Indigenous nations, each with
their own distinct culture and traditions, there is a perception of some degree 
of commonality of _[Indigenous Worldviews](https://www.ictinc.ca/blog/indigenous-worldviews-vs-western-worldviews)_.
In particular, there is an awareness of the interconnectedness of all things and
an emphasis on working together for the common good.

As I have developed my own knowledge over the 15 years since I emigrated to Canada
and, particularly, during the last year, I have been awed by the grounded way in
which Indigenous values are being applied in modern contexts including science, 
healthcare, and technology. Examples of the latter include:

 * [Design de Plume](https://deplume.ca/), the creative agency co-led by our keynote
   speaker, Meggan Van Harten. Meggan spoke of their commitment to [designing with purpose](https://deplume.ca/services)
   in the final campfire chat at the conference.
 * [Animikii](https://animikii.com/), another strongly value based Indigenous company
   in the technology space. I was blown away by their [2022 Social Impact Report](https://2022.animikii.com/)
   when I came on it during my research for the way in which it demonstrates trying
   to build the_ Anishinaabe Seven Grandfather Teachings_ into the approach they
   take to running their business.

## **Challenges**

It is always challenging trying to support engagement with marginalized communities,
particularly those who have very good reasons to be distrustful. A few of the challenges
that I identified in trying to reach out to Indigenous communities include:

 * That fear of ‘getting it wrong’, causing offence, not having a good understanding
   of cultural traditions and protocols.
 * Not quite knowing how to make community connections, who to reach out to, what
   may be appropriate – this is where organizers with personal Indigenous roots 
   would make a huge difference.
 * In Canada, the very fact that there is focus on Indigenous empowerment is resulting
   in huge demands on a small number of people. As a result, there is a sense that,
   when asking for help from Indigenous individuals, whether elders for ceremonial
   or language input, or people working within Indigenous tech companies, some kind
   of payment or sponsorship support is required. I have heard that this is also
   increasingly the case when working with other marginalized groups and for similar
   reasons.
 * Ensuring that, when financial support is offered, processes are simple and clear,
   and that payment is made in an effective and timely manner. There needs to be
   an awareness that some attendees may face real hardship if funds are not received
   as promised. And, if this is not handled appropriately, word gets around, potentially
   undermining the credibility of the WordPress community in its attempts to support
   Indigenous engagement. 
 * Asking ‘what can I do for you?’ rather than assuming that you know and taking
   what is needed to people rather than expecting them to come to you; both literally
   and metaphorically meeting people where they are. It is important to be aware
   that there are many very remote Indigenous communities that add to these challenges.
 * Being mindful that people may not have access to their own computers or to high-
   speed internet.
 * Understanding that in many communities reading level may be reduced, not due 
   to ignorance or stupidity but to lack of educational opportunity.
 * The sheer number of Indigenous languages (hundreds across North America!), many
   spoken fluently by only a few people.

## Where do we go from here?

In conversations before and during WC-EH, the following suggestions were thrown 
into the mix:

 * MeetupMeetup Meetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for
   face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about
   Meetups in our [Meetup Organizer Handbook](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/).
   groups taking workshops out to Indigenous communities and colleges, (first making
   sure to ask what might be most helpful!), growing skills and community
 * Mentoring young Indigenous talent
 * VR, AI and Metaverse workshops as a way of reaching youth, teens and young adults
   especially those of marginalized, Indigenous communities
 * Gifting tickets to WordCamps to the local Indigenous community
 * Continued encouragement of Indigenous involvement in WordCamps, with support 
   for speakers to attend. There is already some support available thanks to the
   new WP Community Collective program [_Incentivizing DEIB in WP_](https://www.thewpcommunitycollective.com/projects/incentivizing-deib-in-wp/)
 * Making concerted efforts to recruit WordCamp organizers from Indigenous communities
   who can bring insights and connections that we lacked
 * Exploring whether Indigenous language support within WordPress is of value and,
   if so, how to focus effort on this given that there are more than fifty different
   languages in Canada alone.

We added a page [Continuing the Indigenous conversation](https://canada.wordcamp.org/2024/continuing-the-indigenous-conversation/)
to the WordCamp Canada 2024 website in an attempt to encourage the sharing of ideas
and turning these into actions.

## Call to action

I think it is fair to say that we succeeded in our aim of starting a conversation
about Indigenous representation and perspectives in WordPress at WC-EH.

The question is, how do we ensure that the conversation continues and results in
positive actions?

 * Do you have any suggestions as to how the WordPress community might do this?
 * Are you already doing things that seem to work that you might share with others?

If so, please comment on this post!

## Resources

Another page that we added to the WordCamp Canada website offers a selection of 
[Indigenous Links](https://canada.wordcamp.org/2024/indigenous-links/).

Here are a few key resources:

 * [Notes on how to approach Land Acknowledgement, WordCamp Canada 2024](https://canada.wordcamp.org/2024/a-bit-more-about-land-acknowledgements/)
 * [Native Land Digital](https://native-land.ca/) has mapped traditional territories
   and is a great starting point to find out about the place you call home. Their
   site “creates spaces where non-Indigenous people can be invited and challenged
   to learn more about the lands they inhabit, the history of those lands, and how
   to actively be part of a better future going forward together.”
 * [FirstVoices](https://www.firstvoices.com/) is a collaborative platform where
   Indigenous communities manage, curate and share their languages.

### WordCamp Canada 2024 Presentations

 * [Keynote](https://wordpress.tv/2024/09/02/keynote-accessibility-in-action-indigenous-communities/)–
   Accessibility in Action: Indigenous Communities (sadly, this lacks the slides!)
 * [Wrap-up Conversation](https://wordpress.tv/2024/11/06/wordcamp-wrap-up-conversation/)–
   The Intersection between Indigenous Lenses and WordPress Open SourceOpen Source
   Open Source denotes software for which the original source code is made freely
   available and may be redistributed and modified. Open Source **must be** delivered
   via a licensing model, see GPL. Values

[#indigenous](https://make.wordpress.org/community/tag/indigenous/), [#wordcamps](https://make.wordpress.org/community/tag/wordcamps/),
[#wpdiversity](https://make.wordpress.org/community/tag/wpdiversity/)

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