Ex(in)clusion in the workplace
Anonda Canadien (she/her) (Dehcho Dene) // Arts & Culture Editor
Rachel Lu (she/her) // Illustrator
After completing college, I was given the opportunity to work in journalism in Yellowknife, NT. At the age of 18, I moved out (once again) and was working tirelessly within an environment of toxic power structures. Not only was I the youngest at 19 years old, I was also the only Native in that place. Within Yellowknife, there’s many groups of various Indigenous peoples, so it was disheartening to be the only one in the workplace.
At the first pitch meeting, all my ideas were shot down due to not fitting the profile or it ‘wasn’t my place.’ I was hired on the basis of completing the archival project consisting of all their previous works, so why did they invite me into the pitch meeting if that was where I was supposed to stay? When I brought up this horrid experience with my supervisor, he had to close the door and basically tell me there was no human resources department at the company due to the small size, so all problems would be brought to him. How useful is he when I’m asking for help on the issue of my ideas being rejected due to their obvious ‘understanding’ of my skin? It should not even be a factor, but as I found out (and keep finding out) it is in the eyes of the privileged folks.
So, what did I do? I was away from my immediate family and living on my own and had just gotten my first credit card. I kept showing up to work everyday determined to write the articles I wanted to pitch. Eventually, halfway through the six-month contract, I was able to start writing based on the pitches I pitched. By no means was it easy, but I’ve never been one to back down when faced with challengers, adversity or racism.
From this experience alone, I go into interviews making sure the company I’m being interviewed for are educated on the matters of Indigenous youth, the overall history of Indigenous peoples and even challenging the interviewee on their own perspective and position of power. It’s a hidden joy to watch them squirm in their seats when I flip the script.
After that workplace, I was hired right out of the gate to a neighbouring company passionate about upholding Indigenous voices and encouraging young writers. They definitely helped me find my voice in writing; they gave me opportunities to travel within the Northwest Territories in order to cover stories, and produced my own story series where I highlighted Indigenous creatives in all disciplinary work.
I suppose, upon reflection, that the hardship of navigating these power structures within small corporate entities has improved my abilities of negotiating, pitching and curating my voice when being opposed.