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The word “chief” is not of Indigenous origin. It’s comes from French, and from Latin before that. This is not an issue of “cultural appropriation.” Indeed, it’s not even clear Redbird (or anyone else) objected to its use at the TDSB. This seems to be an action taken to ward of some future hypothetical offence — not just tokenism, then, but pre-emptive tokenism.

This seems to be an action taken to ward of some future hypothetical offence

It’s more than just silly. It has the potential to be harmful. The process of education and reconciliation will be a long one. Even well-intentioned token gestures are ultimately harmful if they sap the public’s patience and tolerance.

Writer (and occasional National Post contributor) Wayne K. Spear, a member of the Haudenosaunee, spoke to this point in a Twitter essay this week. “The TDSB came up with this, on their own,” he wrote. “They say it’s inspired by the (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) report. This looks like a trend: 1) Read the TRC report and then 2) make up something of your own that isn’t in it, and run with that…. The decision to replace chief with manager looks frivolous and silly and it trivializes (the report)….” Further, he says to the TDSB: “You are making reconciliation look ridiculous. You are doing real damage to the cause. Stop it…. the TRC makes tons of recommendations for educators specifically. There is no need for making up stuff we didn’t ask for.”

Exactly right. Reconciliation cannot simply be a series of reflexive gestures, self-started or in response to complaints. Steps should be thoughtful and balanced, which requires knowing when a gesture is not called for, as much as knowing when it is. Indigenous people face real challenges that deserve our attention. Rebranding a few bureaucratic job titles doesn’t help that important work. In the end, it probably hurts it.