A mere two hundred years ago, my own ancestors were a tribal people. They lived in squalid conditions in stone thatched huts in a cold barren mountainous village; the women raised their children and suffered the daily drudgery of gruelling chores while the men sat in front of theirs huts sharpening their swords watching for invaders from neighbouring tribes. Back in 1746 the invaders came in force, the men gathered and met the English in battle and were defeated. Conquest has consequences and the new landowners displaced my ancestors from their traditional lands, no reservations were put aside and the old way of life was abandoned. The resulting poverty and famine forced many to leave and the great Clearances between 1750 and 1860 spread the unwanted Scots to all corners of the world.

Despite, or because of the consequences, the Scots resurrected themselves and by the late 18th century Scotland became the fount of the Enlightenment, the center of science, engineering and economics and a new age of thought. And those displaced Scots, many taught to read, write and calculate by their Calvanist religion, they became the bookkeepers, farmers, teachers, preachers, and bankers of the new worlds.

There was no time to lament the lost lands and old way of life, there were new lives to create.

And then there is this:

Thanks John:

BC instructs people to stop saying “British Columbians” because it’s offensive

BC instructs people to stop saying “British Columbians” because it’s offensive

Cosmin DzsurdzsaFebruary 21, 2024

The British Columbia government says the province’s own name isn’t inclusive enough to use.

A writing guide for Indigenous content published by the province’s NDP government urges people to refrain from referring to themselves as “British Columbians.” 

“The term ‘British Columbians’ is often used to reference people living in B.C. This term excludes Indigenous Peoples who may not identify with it. For many, they identify as members of their own sovereign nations and do not consider themselves part of one that has actively worked to assimilate their people,” the guide reads. 

The guide, updated Jan. 26 26, 2024, aims to promote more inclusive language and avoid “outdated” and offensive terms. 

It provides recommendations for authors and communicators regarding terms to use when talking about Indigenous issues.

Notably, it advises against the use of the term ‘British Columbians,’ citing its so-called exclusionary nature towards Indigenous peoples who may not identify with the label. 

Instead, it suggests employing the phrase ‘people living in B.C.’ to be more inclusive of diverse populations, including immigrants. 

“’British Columbians’ also excludes other groups such as newcomers and refugees. We recommend instead saying ‘people living in B.C.’”

Furthermore, the guide includes a section on “Outdated terms to avoid,” discouraging the use of terms such as ‘native,’ ‘traditional,’ ‘tribe,’ ‘band,’ and ‘aboriginal groups.”

“Traditional (i.e. traditional knowledge, traditional territories, makes it seem like it is only applicable to the past and not the present.) When referring to ceremonies, please check with the local Nation’s website for assistance on whether to include ‘traditional’,” explains the guide. 

It also encourages the adoption of language that reflects woke principles and provides alternative word choices.

“Some words have historical connotations which may cause unease or mistrust. Awareness of this historical lens is important when working with Indigenous Peoples,” the guide claims. 

Among the examples it cites is the word “artifact.”

“When used out of context it has negative connotations to many Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous communities struggle to reclaim cultural and ceremonial regalia, artwork and tools which were stolen and are displayed publicly or privately,” the guide reads.

This move follows previous efforts by the BC government to control speech such as the removal of 750 “outdated gender-based” terms from provincial regulations in 2022.

These changes, part of the Better Regulations for British Columbians initiative, eliminated terms like “he,” “she,” “himself,” “herself,” “father,” “son,” and “aunt” from the official vocabulary.

At the time parliamentary secretary for gender equity, Grace Lore, defended the changes, stating that using inclusive language removes barriers to services and protects people’s rights. 

However, critics argue that such measures represent government overreach and prioritize political correctness over practicality.

Author

• Journalist and Senior Research Fellow