Tag: Intercultural Editing

First Nations, Indigenous, or Aboriginal: Which Is Appropriate?

Bob Joseph’s CBC article addresses how and why the terminology we use may be changing: “One of the key messages I give in my workshops and training: ‘Go with what they are calling themselves.’ […] it’s about showing respect and using the term that individuals and organizations have chosen for themselves.”

Joseph, B. (2016, September 21). Indigenous or Aboriginal: Which is correct? [Opinion]. CBC News. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/indigenous-aboriginal-which-is-correct-1.3771433?cmp=abfb.

This quote reminded me of the OLA Fairness to All Guide: “To communicate with respect: Treat people as individuals; call groups what they call themselves.”

Interculturalization and Indigenization Academic Goals

Open Learning’s editing team works in support of TRU’s intercultural and indigenization academic goals. (See, for example, http://www.tru.ca/about/academics/understanding.html.) This article that Gail shared on indigenization may be of interest in our work:

 

Fairness: Diversity and Individuality

Good tips from the “OLA Fairness to All” guide:

Treat people as individuals. Call groups what they call themselves. 

We can ask ourselves questions like these:

  • Would I like to be treated in this way?
  • Would these persons approve of the way I am naming or depicting them?
  • Am I respecting individuality? Or am I reinforcing assumptions — stereotyping?