The Pretendian in the Classroom
Artwork by By Jakeili Swimmer, 2022,
What is a Pretendian?
A pretendian is a person who self-identifies as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit) but is unable to support their self-identification claim.
Why do Pretendians Pretend to Be Indigenous?
Pretendians pretend to be Indigenous for multiple reasons, although the main reason is to access opportunities solely dedicated to Indigenous people. These opportunities are presented to Indigenous people and are often meant to close the socio-economic gaps (household income, education, and unemployment) between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Additionally, these Indigenous-specific opportunities result from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
Pretendians in the Classroom
Pretendians can be seen in politics, art, film, and TV, although this report will focus on pretendians in the classroom. Pretendians can be seen as students, faculty, or staff in the classroom. Pretendians as students utilize the Indigenous self-identification function to get admitted into programs, access Indigenous-specific services and programs, and access Indigenous-specific funding opportunities (scholarships, bursaries, research assistant roles, etc.). Pretendians, as staff and faculty, utilize the Indigenous self-Identification function to get jobs created explicitly for Indigenous peoples.
Examples of Pretendians in the Classroom
2022 was a prominent year for outing pretendians in academia in British Columbia. These BC pretendians include Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond (former UBC tenured professor) and Gina Adams (former Emily Carr University tenure-track adjunct professor).
Why are Pretendians an Issue in Higher Education?
Pretendians are an issue in higher education because they are taking up space and opportunities designated for Indigenous people to close the socio-economic gaps, working towards Indigenizing and decolonizing post-secondary institutions, and implementing the 94 Calls to Action and UNDRIP.
Key Consideration for Pretendians
Pretendians are a delicate issue in Canada. Looking back on Canada’s history, there have been many efforts to assimilate Indigenous people into mainstream culture. These efforts include the introduction of the Indian Act and how it defines status; residential schools and how they took children away from their parents to learn the dominant culture; and the Sixties Scoop, which took Indigenous children from their families and placed them in foster care with non-Indigenous households. As a result of this assimilative history, it is a delicate topic, who is Indigenous or not.
What are Some Possible Solutions to the Pretendians Issue in Higher Education?
Pretendians are a wicked problem in academia. A wicked problem is when there are no clear solutions to a problem, and there are multiple stakeholders with conflicting interests. Some of the possible solutions include:
Requiring supporting documentation, such as Indian status cards, Metis cards, etc., when a person self-identifies as Indigenous;
Creating a group of elders and traditional knowledge keepers to conduct reference calls to determine if the applicant is, in fact, Indigenous;
Status quo: continue accepting Indigenous self-identification
Mason Ducharme and Karen Hira are PhD candidates in Public Administration at the University of Victoria.