The Copernic Affair | Canadaland Investigates: Episode – "Pretendian Hunters"
Release Date: June 4, 2024
Introduction
In the "Pretendian Hunters" episode of The Copernic Affair by Canadaland Investigates, hosts Dana Ballout and Alex Atack delve into the contentious issue of individuals falsely claiming Indigenous heritage—commonly referred to as "Pretendians." The episode spotlights the work of Jacqueline Keillor, a dedicated journalist and activist, who has been at the forefront of identifying and exposing these fraudulent claims. Through detailed discussions, personal testimonies, and critical analysis, the episode examines the impact of Pretendians on genuine Indigenous communities, the methodologies employed to uncover fraud, and the broader implications for justice and cultural integrity.
Understanding Pretendianism
Definition and Scope
The episode opens with hosts Robert Jago and Angel Ellis expressing the gravity of misidentifying genuine Indigenous individuals. They outline the essence of Pretendianism, emphasizing its detrimental effects on authentic Native communities, including the erosion of trust and the potential financial and social harm inflicted on Indigenous individuals and institutions.
Jacqueline Keillor’s Role
Jacqueline Keillor is introduced as a prominent figure in the fight against Pretendianism. As a Navajo citizen and co-founder of Eradicating Offensive Native Mascotry, Keillor has successfully led campaigns to remove offensive Native American mascots from major sports teams, such as the Cleveland Indians' now-renamed Cleveland Guardians. Her dedication extends beyond mascots to identifying individuals who falsely claim Indigenous heritage, thereby undermining genuine Native voices.
Notable Quote:
"Promote stereotypes, outdated stereotypes about Native people, and they pigeonhole us so that real Native people aren't seen for who we are and nobody knows anything about us."
— Jacqueline Keillor [05:12]
The Buffy Sainte-Marie Exposé
One of Keillor’s significant achievements discussed in the episode is her investigation into Buffy Sainte-Marie, a renowned musician often celebrated as a Native American icon. Keillor was pivotal in uncovering inconsistencies in Sainte-Marie's claimed Indigenous background, revealing that her ancestry was inaccurately represented.
Impact on the Community
The revelation had profound emotional repercussions for Indigenous listeners and communities who had revered Sainte-Marie as a symbol of Native identity. Angel Ellis shares her personal disappointment, highlighting how such exposes can shatter longstanding perceptions and connections.
Notable Quote:
"She was on Sesame Street, and you're like a native kid, like, watching Sesame Street, and it's like the first time you've ever seen that. It's like, a thing. And so it kind of like, makes your childhood a lie in a way. It's like, what is going on here?"
— Angel Ellis [08:03]
Methodologies and Criteria for Identifying Pretendians
Creating the List
Keillor discusses the creation of a Google Doc containing suspected Pretendians. Initially listing around 25 individuals, the list expanded to 200 names based on contributions from Native professionals who identified questionable claims within various fields. This collaborative approach aimed to harness community insights to authenticate Indigenous identities.
Verification Process
Despite the extensive list, only a small fraction—about 7%—of the claims could be verified as genuine. Keillor emphasizes the difficulty in substantiating distant ancestries and the scarcity of verifiable evidence among self-claimed Indigenous individuals.
Notable Quotes:
"We stopped at 200 because we needed to finish the investigation. We have since received several hundred more names."
— Robert Jago [09:08]
"We actually can identify that ancestor and they are from the tribe they are claiming, no matter how far back it is, we mark them as verified, we verify that."
— Jacqueline Keillor [10:31]
Case Study: Tara Houska
The episode presents a specific case of Tara Houska, a recognized citizen of the Kucha Ching First Nation and a prominent land defender. Keillor's investigation questioned Houska's maternal ancestry, suggesting that her connection to the tribe was too distant to be considered legitimate. However, Houska's Indigenous identity through her paternal lineage remained intact, highlighting the complexities of tracing and verifying mixed-heritage ancestries.
Community Reactions
Houska’s inclusion on the list sparked significant backlash, demonstrating the personal and professional consequences of being labeled a Pretendian. She describes the harassment and threats faced by herself and her family, underscoring the harmful effects of such public accusations.
Notable Quotes:
"We're talking about our dead, whose legitimacy is questioned by persons who have no relationship to him."
— Kairos Old [19:41]
"I've dealt with the criminal element who she directed at my family and I had to tighten up security measures."
— Kairos Old [20:27]
Ethical Concerns and Methodological Critiques
Host and Guest Perspectives
The hosts critically examine Keillor’s approach, arguing that her methodology—publicly listing and investigating individuals without prior communication—can be perceived as aggressive and dehumanizing. Angel Ellis questions the fairness of public shaming and the potential for innocent individuals to suffer undue harm.
Criteria for Investigation
Dana Ballout and Alex Atack outline their own criteria for identifying Pretendians, focusing on the authenticity of tribal membership, the prominence of the individual, and community rejection. They contrast this with Keillor’s criteria, noting similarities but also significant differences in approach and execution.
Notable Quotes:
"She's just doing investigative journalism. She says that work should be looked at as reporting on fraud."
— Angel Ellis [23:27]
"If you add up all of the salaries of pretending universities that are instead going to imposters, it adds up to an astounding level of fraud."
— Jacqueline Keillor [13:32]
Historical Context and Systemic Issues
Racial Integrity Act of 1924
Kairos Old provides a historical backdrop, drawing parallels between Keillor’s modern-day investigations and the oppressive practices of the Jim Crow era’s Racial Integrity Act. This legislation criminalized misrepresentation of racial identity, particularly targeting Native and Black communities. Kairos argues that Keillor's tactics echo these outdated and discriminatory practices, perpetuating a cycle of distrust and marginalization.
Systemic Oppression
The discussion highlights how Pretendian investigations can be another tool of systemic oppression, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. Kairos emphasizes the existing challenges Indigenous people face in reclaiming their identities and the added burden of combating fraudulent claims imposed by external actors.
Notable Quotes:
"It's just Jim Crow rebranded for the digital age, because it's the same information, the same persons used in the same way."
— Kairos Old [22:14]
"We're used to the idea that people like us don't belong where we are."
— Kairos Old [22:14]
Personal Accounts and Consequences
Kairos Old’s Experience
Kairos Old, a recognized member of the Pamunkey Tribe and founder of the largest Indigenous forum on Reddit, shares his personal experience of being erroneously listed as a Pretendian. He details the subsequent harassment, threats to his family's safety, and the broader impact on his mental well-being and community engagement.
Broader Impact on Indigenous Communities
The episode underscores the chilling effect such accusations have on Indigenous individuals, discouraging genuine community participation and fostering an environment of fear and suspicion. The stigmatization and potential ostracization resulting from these lists can lead to isolation and mistrust within communities.
Notable Quotes:
"It's created an environment of fear. Unfortunately, I'm part of that environment of fear."
— Kairos Old [24:32]
"It's like bullying. There is a problem in Indian country. We all agree that there is a problem."
— Angel Ellis [26:52]
Balancing Accountability and Harm
Intent vs. Impact
While acknowledging the necessity of addressing Pretendianism to protect Indigenous communities' integrity, the hosts and guests debate the ethical implications of Keillor’s methods. They recognize the importance of accountability but caution against approaches that may cause more harm than good through indiscriminate accusations and lack of due process.
Alternative Approaches
Dana Ballout and Alex Atack advocate for a more measured and respectful approach, suggesting that tribal governments and official bodies should spearhead investigations into Indigenous identity claims. They emphasize the need for collaborative efforts that prioritize the voices and standards of the Indigenous communities themselves.
Notable Quotes:
"I think that tribal governments and only tribal governments should be doing these investigations."
— Kairos Old [25:02]
"If she had done a few key things differently, I could really support the work that she's doing."
— Angel Ellis [26:19]
Conclusion and Forward Look
The episode concludes with a reflection on the complexities surrounding Pretendianism and the challenges of balancing the need for genuine representation with the imperative to avoid unjust harm. While recognizing Keillor’s contributions to uncovering fraudulent claims, the hosts and guests advocate for improved methodologies that respect and protect Indigenous communities' integrity.
Future Episodes
Listeners are teased with upcoming topics, including investigations into Pretendians within Hollywood and other high-profile sectors, promising to further explore the pervasive nature of this issue.
Key Takeaways
- Pretendianism significantly undermines genuine Indigenous communities, leading to lost opportunities and perpetuated stereotypes.
- Jacqueline Keillor has been instrumental in identifying and exposing individuals falsely claiming Indigenous heritage, though her methods raise ethical concerns.
- Verification Challenges highlight the difficulty in confirming distant ancestries and the low rate of successfully verifying claims.
- Historical Parallels draw connections between modern Pretendian investigations and historical discriminatory practices like the Racial Integrity Act.
- Personal Impacts underscore the real-life consequences of being mislabeled as a Pretendian, including harassment and community alienation.
- Ethical Dilemmas emphasize the need for balanced approaches that protect Indigenous integrity without inflicting undue harm.
Notable Quotes Recap:
"Promote stereotypes, outdated stereotypes about Native people, and they pigeonhole us so that real Native people aren't seen for who we are and nobody knows anything about us."
— Jacqueline Keillor [05:12]
"It's just bullying. There is a problem in Indian country. We all agree that there is a problem."
— Angel Ellis [26:52]
"It's the same information, the same persons used in the same way. Whether you want to call it use a slur pretendian, or if you want to use an older slur like mongrel, which is what they would refer to us as."
— Kairos Old [22:14]
Final Thoughts
"Pretendian Hunters" offers a nuanced exploration of a deeply divisive issue within Indigenous communities. By presenting multiple perspectives, including those of activists, affected individuals, and the hosts themselves, the episode fosters a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved in identifying and addressing fraudulent claims of Indigenous heritage. It calls for a thoughtful and community-centered approach to ensure that efforts to maintain cultural integrity do not inadvertently perpetuate harm.