Obligations the Rite to Rights

an essay by Cameron McSorley 3 June 2024

In contemporary society, the balance between individual rights and collective obligations often dictates the direction of social and environmental policies. Dhar Jamail, influenced by Indigenous elder Stan Rushworth, contrasts the Western mindset of "I have rights" with the Indigenous perspective of "I have obligations" (Atwood). The shift from an individualistic rights-based worldview to an obligations-based framework offers profound implications for addressing historical injustices and taking action towards holistic sustainability. By embracing an obligations-based approach, individuals and groups can cultivate a more inclusive, responsible, and harmonious society for all. An obligations-based mindset is essential for healing historical injustices, fostering communal support, and evolving towards the world we need to lead for future generations.

An obligations-based mindset is crucial in addressing the injustices faced by all people, specifically Indigenous and Aboriginal communities. The docuseries First Contact highlights the impact of injustices faced by the Indigenous community and the choices we all have to make moving forward. Kevin, featured in the docuseries reflects on these issues, “Even though I'm not responsible for this, do I want to make a contribution to the solution?” (First Contact 17:49). The legacy of residential schools, as detailed by the UBC Indigenous Foundation's article, has resulted in profound multi-generational psychological trauma and socioeconomic challenges (“The Residential School System”). These challenges can only be overcome by people who choose to face collective obligations to the future while accepting the truth of the past, no matter how uncomfortable.

The residential school programs are not only an Indigenous issue but a humanitarian crisis revealing a system of colonialism that continues to run rampant today, first Nations are not alone in reconciliation; all of humanity has been affected (McSorley). This finding is underscored by the observations of Professor John Smith, who worked with prison guards at Guantanamo Bay. He states, "I think the guards of Guantánamo are an overlooked group of victims.” His observations vivify how the trauma of colonial and oppressive systems affects everyone involved, including the perpetrators (Randerson). Acknowledging these injustices compels action the moment an individual adopts the obligations-based approach. The time of nescience and ignorance is over.

An obligations-based philosophy drives the call to action, supporting personal and collective empowerment and reformation leading the way to acknowledge the true cost of our rights. As people move through the disillusionment of a decadent past and realise the uncomfortable truth, some adopt personal accountability and are endowed with obligations, “This responsibility is highlighted to me and continuously defined by people's need for help” (Cameo 4:31). James Favel, a member of the North End Bear Clan Patrol, emphasises the need to help those facing barriers to education and employment (First Contact 26:17). James has come to terms with what he knows in a meaningful way; however, some are just beginning that journey of discovery, such as Ross. He sees, first hand, the value of traditional knowledge and practices used to feed a community, stating, “They've got skills we don't have” (First Contact 40:47). These perspectives encourage respect and learning, fostering a more equitable and responsible society.

Embracing obligations is a rite-of-passage needed in-order to truly claim rights. This approach catalyses many activities such as environmental stewardship. Dhar Jamail has undergone his rite through personal reformation and developed a philosophy influenced by Stan Rushworth. His philosophy emphasises our obligations to the planet and future generations (Atwood). Most people have yet to undergo a true personal reformation in part because, we as a culture lack true rites-of-passage. In many instances, it can take multiple generations before this will meaningfully occur. A survey by the Environics Institute reveals that 48% of non-Aboriginal Canadians acknowledge the link between historical injustices and current Indigenous issues. The uncomfortable truth of reconciliation highlights the need for active engagement in sustainable practices and cultural reform (CBC News). Although 48% of non-Aboriginal Canadians have acknowledged this, that number shows, 52% have yet to begin the journey of personal accountability and reformation, granting them the rite to claim there rights. Thankfully this personal journey does have an antagonist: an uncomfortable cognitive dissonance, as explored by Moira Lawler. It can lead to increased self-awareness and positive change (Lawler). By focusing on our obligations to the environment as a whole, we will promote sustainability and ensure a healthier planet and culture for future generations.

Adopting an obligations-based mindset is essential for addressing historic injustices, fostering communal support, and promoting the holistic stewardship of society, our human cultures, and the earth. This approach not only addresses the injustices faced by Indigenous and Aboriginal communities but also culminates in a communal support that promotes sustainability across the board. Catalysing the need for this evolution is the narrow colonial mindset. This mindset prompts disconnectedness and the negation of obligation in place of licence, entitlement and duty. This is highlighted by the shared trauma of both the inmates and guards at Guantanamo Bay, illustrating that we are all affected by systemic injustices and have a role in addressing them. As stated on Cameo Radio’s episode Serial Justice, “What could you do to address it and, might you be guilty of something for having not?” (Cameo 6:26). As we move forward, let us embrace our obligations to past, present, and future generations, and to the planet we all share, fostering a society built on justice, respect, and sustainability. By shifting our focus from individual rights to rites-of-passage and our personal and collective obligations, we can contribute to building a more prosperous, just, equitable, and responsible world for all.

Works Cited

Atwood, Margaret. “The End of Ice.” Lion’s Roar, 13 Dec. 2023, www.lionsroar.com/the-end-of-ice/. Accessed 1 June 2024.

CBC News. “48% of Non-Aboriginal Canadians Blame Residential Schools for Current Problems Aboriginal People Face.” CBC, 8 June 2016, www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/national-survey-indigenous-attitudes-1.3620705. Accessed 1 June 2024.

First Contact. “TVO Today | Current Affairs, Journalism, Documentaries, and Podcasts.” Tvo.org, 2024, www.tvo.org/programs/first-contact. Accessed 1 June 2024.

Lawler, Moira. “What Is Cognitive Dissonance?” Everyday Health, 18 Apr. 2024, www.everydayhealth.com/neurology/cognitive-dissonance/what-does-cognitive-dissonance-mean-theory-definition/. Accessed 1 June 2024.

McSorley, Cameron. “Glimpsing the Truth of Reconciliation.” The Real Life Network, 2 June 2024, www.thereallifenetwork.com/p/glimpsing-the-truth-of-reconciliation. Accessed 2 June 2024.

Randerson, James. “Guantánamo Guards Suffer Psychological Trauma.” The Guardian, 25 Feb. 2008, www.theguardian.com/science/2008/feb/25/guantanamo.guards. Accessed 1 June 2024.

“The Residential School System.” Arts.ubc.ca, 2020, indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/the_residential_school_system/. Accessed 1 June 2024.

Cameo Radio. “38 Serial Justice.” The Real Life Network, 31 May 2024, www.thereallifenetwork.com/p/38-serial-justice. Accessed 1 June 2024.